Healthy & Homemade Ice Cream for Dogs

Everyone loves ice cream, including your pet! Although you should avoid feeding your dog regular ice cream  - as it is loaded with sugar and many dogs are lactose intolerant -  there are some great alternatives.

Homemade ice cream for dogs is quite tasty and won’t cause your dog gastrointestinal discomfort like human ice cream. Of course, you’ll want to use some caution when deciding which ingredients to add to your dog’s homemade ice cream.

What Ingredients Are Safe for Dog Ice Cream?

Many dogs enjoy the cool, sweet taste of ice cream and when you add the right ingredients, homemade dog ice cream can be a healthy treat. Ingredients commonly found in homemade dog ice cream include:

1. Greek Yogurt

Yogurt is high in protein and calcium and also acts as a natural probiotic. When feeding your dog Greek yogurt, ensure that you choose a product that is plain and free of any added sweeteners and sugars, either natural and artificial.

2. Bananas

Bananas are a tasty low-calorie treat for pets. They are low in cholesterol and sodium and high in potassium, copper, biotin, and fiber.

3. Peanut Butter

Dogs can and very much enjoy eating peanut butter. However, you’ll want to avoid brands that contain xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs. Instead, opt for homemade or all-natural peanut butter.

4. Strawberries

Strawberries are full of vitamin C and fiber. They also contain an enzyme that can help whiten your pet’s teeth.

5. Blueberries

Blueberries are considered a superfood that is rich in antioxidants and help prevent cell damage in both humans and dogs. They are also packed with phytochemicals and fiber.

6. Bacon

Bacon is high in fat so it’s important to only feed your dog a small amount as a treat. A few bacon bits added to ice cream can be a tasty addition.

7. Pumpkin

Dogs can eat plain, canned pumpkin that offers plenty of fiber and a higher concentration of nutrients compared to fresh pumpkin. Remember to choose plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling which is sweetened.

8. Chicken

Chicken is a great source of protein but should be properly cooked to a safe temperature. While chicken may not seem like a great ice cream ingredient, many dogs enjoy the flavor.

What Ingredients Should I Never Put in Dog Ice Cream?

There are some ingredients that should never be added to homemade dog ice cream as they can be dangerous to your pet’s health. This includes:

• Avocados
• Chocolate
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Macadamia nuts
• Milk

Healthy and Homemade Dog Ice Cream Recipes

1. Fruit & Yogurt Dog Ice Cream

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 ripe banana
• ½ cup strawberries
• ½ cup blueberries

Instructions:

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Pour the mixture into small freezer-safe containers and freeze for four to six hours, or until set.

2. Peanut Butter Dog Ice Cream

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

Put all ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Freeze the mixture in small freezer-safe containers for one to two hours. If the ice cream becomes too frozen to easily scoop, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving your pet.

3. Banana & Peanut Butter Dog Ice Cream

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
• 1 ripe banana
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth and creamy. Place the mixture into small freezer-safe containers and freeze overnight.

4. Chicken Dog Ice Cream

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups frozen cooked chicken
• 1 cup low-sodium, low-fat chicken stock

Instructions:

Dice up the frozen chicken and place it in a food processor or blender. Add as much chicken stock as it takes to create a thick paste. Place the chicken paste into freezer-safe containers and let set for 30 minutes. Remove from the freezer and blend again before returning the mix to the freezer. Continue until the ice cream becomes firm enough to scoop. Alternatively, you can put the chicken paste through an ice cream machine for 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Pumpkin Dog Ice Cream

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 bananas

Instructions:

Place all ingredients into a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth. Pour the mixture into small freezer-safe containers and freeze until solid, or approximately three hours.

Ice cream makes the perfect summer treat for both you and your pet! While it’s not recommended that you share your human ice cream with your furry friend, you can have some making him his own healthy concoctions in the kitchen. If you are unsure of whether or not certain ingredients are harmful to your pet, talk to your vet before adding any new foods to your pet’s treats.