Homemade Frozen Dog Treats: Eight Easy Ideas
Pupsicles, lick mats, yoghurt bites and frozen Kongs: eight easy homemade frozen treats for dogs, with the ingredients to use and the ones to leave out.
In this guide
On a warm afternoon, there are few things a dog appreciates more than a cold treat they can lick, crunch and fuss over for a good twenty minutes. Frozen treats are also brilliant for keeping a busy dog entertained while you get on with something else.
The best part? They take minutes to make and use things you probably already have.
What you’ll need
- An ice cube tray or silicone mould
- A lick mat or a fillable toy, such as a Kong
- Pet broth, plain yoghurt or dog-safe fruit and veg
All eight at a glance
| Treat | You’ll need | Freeze for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broth pupsicles | Pet broth, ice cube tray | A few hours | Hot days, quick rewards |
| The lick mat | Yoghurt, pet broth, lick mat | 2 hours | Calming, visitors arriving |
| The frozen Kong | Kibble, pet broth, yoghurt | Overnight | Keeping busy dogs busy |
| Fruity bites | Banana or blueberries, yoghurt | A few hours | A sweet-ish treat |
| Yoghurt and peanut butter | Xylitol-free peanut butter | A few hours | Special occasions |
| Pumpkin cubes | Plain pumpkin purée, pet broth | A few hours | Something different |
| Crunchy veg cubes | Carrot or cucumber, pet broth | A few hours | Dogs who love to crunch |
| Water bowl cube | A frozen broth cube | A few hours | Reluctant drinkers |
Eight easy frozen treats
1. Broth pupsicles
Mix Pets Chicken Broth with water according to the pouch, pour into an ice cube tray and freeze. The simplest treat there is, and the one most dogs go wild for.
2. The lick mat
Spread a thin layer of plain yoghurt mixed with a little pet broth over a lick mat and freeze for a couple of hours. Licking is naturally calming for many dogs, which makes this a good one for busy households or when visitors arrive.
3. The frozen Kong
Fill a Kong with soaked kibble and pet broth, plug the end with a little plain yoghurt, and freeze overnight. It turns a two-minute snack into a long, absorbing job.
4. Fruity bites
Blend banana or blueberries with plain yoghurt and freeze in small moulds.
5. Yoghurt and peanut butter bites
Mix plain yoghurt with a spoonful of peanut butter and freeze in small moulds. Always choose a peanut butter with no xylitol, and check the label every time, as recipes change.
6. Pumpkin cubes
Mix plain cooked pumpkin purée (not pie filling, which is sweetened and spiced) with pet broth and freeze in an ice cube tray.
7. Crunchy veg cubes
Drop small pieces of carrot or cucumber into an ice cube tray, top up with pet broth and freeze.
8. The water bowl cube
For dogs that aren’t keen drinkers, drop a frozen broth cube into their water bowl on a warm day. It adds a little flavour as it melts.
Ingredients to keep out
- Onion, garlic, leeks and chives, in any form. They’re toxic to dogs.
- Grapes, raisins and sultanas.
- Chocolate.
- Xylitol, a sweetener found in some yoghurts, peanut butters and sugar-free products. Always check the label.
- Human stock or gravy, which often contains onion, garlic and salt.
A few sensible tips
- Treats should be a small part of your dog’s daily food.
- Supervise your dog with frozen toys, and choose a size that suits them.
- Introduce new foods gradually.
- Label your freezer tub. Nobody wants a broth cube in their gin and tonic.
If your pet is very young, elderly, on medication, has a health condition or follows a special diet, check with your vet before adding anything new to their bowl.
Questions people ask
Are frozen treats safe for dogs?
Yes, when made with dog-safe ingredients and served in a sensible size. Supervise your dog, especially with fillable toys.
Can I freeze bone broth for my dog?
Yes. Freeze a pet broth in ice cube trays or on a lick mat. Avoid human broths, which can contain onion, garlic and salt.
How long do frozen dog treats keep?
Stored in a sealed container in the freezer, they’ll keep for a few weeks. Label them so they don’t end up in anyone’s drink.
The pupsicle essential
Pets Chicken Broth + Prebiotic is made for dogs and cats, and it freezes beautifully into cubes and lick mats. Pets Beef Broth + Prebiotic is available while stocks last.
Related Reading
- Bone broth for dogs: is it safe, and how much?
- Can dogs have stock cubes? What to check first
- What to do with bone broth powder: seven ideas
Sources & Further Reading
