Offering our furry friends tasty frozen treats can be a fun way to change things up for them, but it is important to make sure you only give your furry friends animal-safe treats and don’t overdo it. Sudden food changes can cause tummy upset, and many animals, especially cats, can experience digestive upset when they’re given cow-based dairy products due to lactose intolerance that they develop as adults. 

While you can’t share your ice cream cone with your favorite four-legged, there are plenty of DIY frozen treat recipes out there.

I’m going to highlight a few of my favorites, but first, here are some tips and guidelines for making your own frozen dog and cat treats…

• Always use the best quality ingredients you can for your furry friends. 
• Remember these recipes are treats. That means give them in moderation and always supervise your four-leggeds while they are enjoying their frozen treats. 
• Fruit is nature’s candy. While it is delicious and healthy in moderation, it contains a lot of  naturally occurring sugars that your dog or cat does not need. Your dog or cat will thrive on a well-balanced diet, so don’t let her guilt-trip you into extra portions with sad puppy dog eyes or persistent purrs. 
• Try to stay as close to your dog or cat’s typical diet as possible. Instead of introducing something 100% new, try to think of ways you can change up their current food to make it more refreshing, like freezing your dog’s bone broth in ice cube trays and offering that as a treat or freezing the green beans she loves in the food you make for her. 
• Introduce any new food or treat slowly, starting with little bits at first. 

And without further ado, here are the recipes.

If you try any of these recipes out, be sure to head over to our Facebook page to let us know what your fur-babies think about them!

Ice Cream for Dogs and Cats

This recipe features fermented raw goat’s milk, which is easier to digest for cats and dogs than cow’s milk and has a host of other health benefits. You can pick some up locally at Patton Avenue Pet Company. Of course, if your furry friend has an allergy to goat’s milk or severe dairy sensitivities, you will want to skip this recipe and opt for a different frozen treat option instead. 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Fermented raw goat milk  
• 2 – 3 tablespoons of high-quality pate-style canned food** 
• ½ – 1 cup rock salt (rock salt works best, but kosher or plain table salt is fine too)
• 2 sandwich bags 
• 1 gallon freezer bag
• Lots of ice 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Put milk & food in a sandwich bag. Seal the bag tightly and put the sandwich bag inside another sandwich bag (this helps with leaks). 

Add ice and salt to the gallon ziploc bag. Place the sandwich bags with the milk and food inside the gallon freezer bag and seal the gallon bag. 

Squish, shake and roll the bag around in your hands and on the counter for 15 minutes. You might want to use a dish towel since the bag will get very cold as you work it. 

After 15 minutes, remove the inner bag and scoop out the ice cream! 

Serve a small scoop to your four-legged and freeze the rest in a freezer-safe container or ice cube tray. Use within 10 days. 

**Notes: Try to use a canned food that has similar ingredients to your dog or cat’s usual food, or skip the canned food entirely. If he is eating dry food, you can add in a little kibble before serving or freezing for an extra crunch.

Frozen Coconut Blueberry Treats  

Make sure you use unrefined cold-pressed coconut oil in this recipe to ensure your dog or cat gets all the amazing health benefits, like a shiny coat, less itchy skin and fewer hairballs.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• ½ cup organic unrefined cold-pressed coconut oil 
• Frozen blueberries
• Medium saucepan
• Silicone ice tray or mold (you can use a regular ice tray, but the coconut oil can be hard to get out once it is frozen)

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Put a blueberry in each of the silicone molds you are going to fill. 

Heat the coconut oil over medium heat until it liquifies. Allow the coconut oil to cool for a few minutes then carefully pour it into the molds over the blueberry. 

Freeze for a few hours until coconut oil becomes solid again. Pop the treats out of the molds and serve. Store leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Pro Tip: Put the silicone mold on a baking sheet before filling it, that way it does not spill as you transfer it to the freezer. 

(Adapted from this recipe.)

Tuna or Salmon Catsicles  

These treats are simple to make and sure to entice your finicky feline. However, not all cats tolerate fish well. Please do not feed your cats these treats if they have a fish allergy or sensitivity. 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 1 can organic tuna or salmon
• ½ cup water
• Blender or food processor 
• Ziploc bag
• Small ice tray or silicone mold 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Empty the tuna or salmon into your blender, including all the water or juice. Add ½ cup of water and blend until mixed, about 10 – 20 seconds, depending on your blender. 

Transfer the mixture to the ziploc bag. Cut the tip off of one corner of the bag and fill your silicone mold or ice trays. Freeze for a few hours. 

Serve on a special platter to your favorite feline. Store leftovers in a bag in your freezer for up to 6 months. 

Pro Tip: Use a canned fish stored in water, not oil. This helps with freezing.

(adapted from this recipe) 

Creamy Dreamy Watermelon Pupsicles

Watermelon is a classic summer fruit that’s made up of about 90% water. This makes it a good treat to help your furry friend stay hydrated, especially on a hot day. It’s a favorite for many dogs (and some cats too!), just make sure you never feed the rind or seeds as these can be harmful.   

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 1 cup pureed seedless watermelon
• ¼ cup organic coconut milk in can
• Blender or food processor
• Ziploc bag
• Small ice tray or silicone mold

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Cut ¼ to ⅓ of a seedless watermelon into pieces. Be sure to steer clear of the rind and make sure there are no seeds. These can cause digestive upset or intestinal blockages. 

Blend watermelon in blender or food processor until pureed.  

Stir 1 cup of watermelon puree and ¼ cup coconut milk in a bowl until combined.

Transfer the mixture to a ziploc bag. Cut the tip off of one corner of the bag and fill your silicone mold or ice trays. Freeze overnight. 

Remove treats from mold and serve to your patient pups. Store leftovers in freezer for up to 1 month. 

Pro Tip: These treats can be sticky, so you might want to serve them outside in the shade.