There’s nothing better than refreshing ice cream on hot summer days. The longing looks of dogs at frozen delicacies prove it. But did you know, you can easily make your own tasty dog ice cream and treat your dog to a cold, healthy surprise this summer.
Making Your Own Dog Ice Cream: 7 Easy Recipes
© Iryna / stock.adobe.com
Not just humans love ice cream. Although human ice cream is off-limits for dogs, you can make your own tasty dog ice cream with few ingredients.
Table of contents
Can dogs enjoy ice cream?
Keeping dogs refreshed during summer is crucial as they may struggle with regulating their body temperature. While dogs can dissipate some excess heat through their tongue, providing them with ice cream can aid in faster cooling. However, it’s important to note that dogs should only consume dog-specific ice cream. Human ice cream contains ingredients such as sugar, lactose, or chocolate, which are unsuitable for dogs.
Therefore, it is both safer and healthier to either purchase ice cream made specifically for dogs or create your own dog-friendly ice cream at home.
How much ice cream is appropriate for dogs?
Just like us humans, dogs should consume ice cream in moderation and on an occasional basis, despite the fact that it brings them joy and refreshment. If a dog consumes excessive amounts of ice cream too quickly, it can lead to stomach upset or headaches.
The portion size should also be tailored to suit your dog’s needs. When preparing dog ice cream for the first time, it is advisable to start with a small portion. Offer your dog a test portion to determine if it enjoys the ice cream or experiences any digestive issues. This will also help you gauge whether your dog savours the ice cream or hastily devours it.
Creating homemade dog ice cream: What ingredients can I use?
When it comes to ingredients, the possibilities are endless. Whether it’s regular wet food, fruits, vegetables, meats, or herbs, you know your dog best and which treats they enjoy in their food bowl.
It’s important to note that many recipes utilize cottage cheese or yoghurt as a base. However, it’s advisable to consult your veterinarian to determine if your dog can tolerate lactose, or you can try our dairy-free recipes instead.
Here are some ingredients that are particularly suitable for making dog ice cream at home:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Oats
- Natural yoghurt
- Cottage cheese
- Liver sausage
- Broth
Ensure that fruits are ripe, not overly sour, and do not contain any seeds. Regardless of the ingredients you choose, the smoother the mixture is puréed, the more your dog will enjoy licking it and the easier it will be for them to digest the ice cream.
© Javier brosch / stock.adobe.com
Creating homemade dog ice cream: 4 simple recipes
Once you have decided on the ingredients for your dog ice cream, it’s time to get started. You can use various items from around the house as ice cream moulds, such as muffin trays, ice cube moulds, yoghurt containers or other small objects that can withstand the cold temperatures of the freezer.
While it’s possible to offer dog ice cream on a stick, it’s generally recommended to avoid this option, especially for more cautious canines.
Feel free to adjust the quantities according to the size of your furry friend. With the summer lasting for a while, you have plenty of time to discover the perfect recipe for your dog.
Making your own dog ice cream with wet food
- Wet food
- Some water
If you first want to find out how your dog reacts to ice cream, an option with wet food is ideal. Simply mix some water with a small quantity of your dog’s favourite wet food.
If the mix is too thick, use a hand blender for assistance. Then fill the mixture into an ice cube mould and leave it to freeze for a few hours.
If you deduct the ice cream from the daily amount of food, your dog can enjoy this easy-to-make dog ice cream with a clear conscience.
Liver sausage ice cream for dogs
- 2 tablespoons of grainy cream cheese, alternatively oat flakes
- 2 tablespoons of liver sausage for dogs
- A small dash of oil for consistency, alternatively some meat broth
All ingredients should be well chopped or puréed. Then add some oil – just enough to make the mix nice and even, then fill it into a suitable mould and leave it in the freezer for a few hours. You can serve the ice cream whole or crushed.
Instead of cottage cheese, you can also prepare liver sausage ice cream for dogs with oat flakes.
Peanut butter ice cream
- 2 tablespoons of natural yoghurt
- 1 tablespoon of unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter
- 1/2 banana
Finely purée all ingredients and divide between small moulds. A piping bag can be helpful to spread it. Place it in the freezer for a few hours until the ice hardens – then the fun can commence.
Make your own fruity, lactose-free dog ice cream
- 2 tablespoons of water
- 1/2 apple
- 1/2 banana
- 1 small handful of strawberries, blueberries or raspberries
Mix the fruit with water, purée and divide the mix between small moulds. The ice cream can be enriched with natural yoghurt for dogs that tolerate lactose.
A small dab of honey is also permitted. Sweeteners and sugar are off-limits if you make your own dog ice cream.
Three quick recipes for when time is short:
If you’re short on time but still want to make your own dog ice cream, try these speedy tips:
- For dogs that are a few kilos overweight, freeze small portions of beef or chicken broth. This creates a simple and low-carb ice cream option. You can enhance the flavor by adding vegetables or a dog treat to the ice mould, providing a tasty lactose-free alternative to ice cream made from curd or yogurt.
- Freeze natural yogurt or curd on their own with minimal effort. A helpful suggestion from our zooplus community is to freeze yogurt inside a Kong dog toy and serve it as dog ice cream during the summer.
- To cool down your dog on especially hot days without overfeeding, you can offer them an ice cube, either in their water bowl or food bowl. Crushed ice works well for dogs who tend to eat quickly.
At zooplus, you can discover a variety of toys and ingredients that will help you quickly create delicious ice cream treats for your dog.
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