How to Make Frozen Dog Treats
Quick answer: To make frozen dog treats, blend a few dog-safe ingredients — like mashed banana, plain unsweetened yogurt, xylitol-free peanut butter, or low-sodium broth — pour the mix into silicone molds or an ice cube tray, and freeze for at least four hours. That’s it. No cooking, no special gear, and a cool, hydrating snack your dog will love on a hot day.
I’m Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. We’re best known for single-ingredient chews, but a homemade frozen treat is one of the easiest ways to spoil your dog between chews. Below are four recipes we make ourselves, plus a few safety notes worth reading before you start.
What ingredients are safe for frozen dog treats?
Stick to simple, dog-safe foods: plain unsweetened yogurt, mashed banana, blueberries, strawberries, pumpkin puree, low-sodium chicken or bone broth, and peanut butter. One important rule — always check that your peanut butter is xylitol-free, since xylitol is toxic to dogs (American Kennel Club). Avoid chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and anything artificially sweetened. When in doubt about a fruit or vegetable, the AKC’s guide to safe fruits and vegetables is a reliable reference.
4 easy frozen dog treat recipes
- Peanut Butter & Banana Pops — Blend one ripe banana, two tablespoons of xylitol-free peanut butter, and a half cup of plain yogurt. Spoon into molds and freeze. A great use for the same peanut butter treats dogs already go crazy for.
- Broth Cubes — Pour low-sodium chicken or bone broth into an ice cube tray with a pinch of chopped parsley. These cool your dog down and make an easy topper for a hot day.
- Berry Yogurt Bites — Stir a handful of blueberries and chopped strawberries into plain Greek yogurt, then freeze in a mini tray. Antioxidant-rich and naturally sweet.
- Pumpkin Pops — Mix plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) with a little water or yogurt. Gentle on the stomach and good for digestion.
Tips for the best frozen treats
- Use silicone molds. They pop out cleanly and let you make fun shapes and sizes.
- Match the size to your dog. Bigger molds mean longer licking; smaller cubes are better for puppies and small breeds.
- Keep it plain. A few whole ingredients beat anything with added sugar, salt, or artificial sweeteners.
- Always supervise. Watch your dog with any frozen treat, especially larger ones.
Are frozen treats good for dogs?
Yes — in moderation. Frozen treats are a low-effort way to add hydration and enrichment on warm days, and homemade versions let you control exactly what goes in. Treats should stay under about 10% of your dog’s daily calories; the rest should come from a complete, balanced diet (VCA Animal Hospitals). For everyday chewing between frozen snacks, we still reach for a bully stick — 100% natural, single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, no rawhide, and ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms.
Mix up a batch this week, keep the ingredients simple, and your dog will thank you the next hot afternoon.
This post was last updated at August 6, 2026 23:24
