Introduction
Homemade dog ice cream recipes are growing in popularity for a few key reasons. As pet owners become more concerned about ingredients and quality, they want to have more control over what goes into treats for their furry friends. Homemade ice creams allow you to avoid artificial ingredients, preservatives, and added sugars often found in store-bought frozen treats.
Additionally, homemade ice creams let you tailor recipes to your dog’s dietary needs and preferences. For dogs with allergies or sensitivities, you can avoid problem ingredients. You can also incorporate your dog’s favorite flavors like peanut butter, banana, pumpkin, etc. Making ice cream at home means you can adjust recipes to your dog’s ideal texture and consistency as well.
Finally, preparing homemade ice cream is a fun activity to do with your dog. Your pet can get excited watching you make their treat and may even “help” with recipe steps. Plus you’ll get the satisfaction of seeing your furry friend enjoy something you crafted specially for them.
Benefits of Homemade Dog Ice Cream
There are many benefits to making your own dog ice cream over buying pre-made doggie treats. Homemade ice cream allows you to use natural ingredients and avoid certain additives and preservatives sometimes found in store-bought brands. You can control what goes into the ice cream and ensure only high-quality ingredients are used
Homemade dog ice cream is often less processed than store-bought ice cream. Commercial brands may put the ice cream mix through high heat and pressure to enable longer shelf life. This can destroy some nutrients and enzymes. With homemade, the ingredients remain raw or only lightly cooked preserving more nutrients. It also avoids additives like artificial colors or flavors used in some commercial brands.
Additionally, homemade ice cream provides the ability to customize flavors and textures to your dog’s preference. If your dog cannot have peanut butter, you can substitute in yogurt, pumpkin puree, mashed banana, or other creative ingredients instead. Homemade allows tailoring ice cream to be safe for dogs with allergies or dietary restrictions.
Overall, making DIY dog ice cream gives more control over ingredients resulting in a more natural, nutritious treat. As cited by The Dog Chef, “The benefits of homemade dog treats are huge. Not only are they healthier, there’s the satisfaction of giving your dog something you’ve made yourself.” (https://www.thedogchef.co.uk/dog-treats/the-benefits-of-homemade-dog-treats/)
Dogs Who Should Avoid Dairy
Some dogs are lactose intolerant and struggle to digest dairy products. This is because they lack sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to break down lactose in milk. Just like humans, lactose intolerance in dogs can cause gas, bloating, diarrhea and other digestive issues. Some dogs that are more prone to dairy sensitivity include:
- Puppies under 1 year old (their gut is still developing the right enzymes)
- Small breed dogs
- Dogs with chronic gastrointestinal issues like colitis or IBD
- Senior dogs as lactase production can decline with age
If you suspect your dog may be lactose intolerant, it’s best to avoid dairy products in their diet, including milk and cheese. Talk to your vet if your dog has adverse reactions after consuming dairy.
Source: https://betterpet.com/can-dogs-eat-cottage-cheese/
Ingredients to Use Instead of Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a common ingredient in homemade dog ice cream recipes. However, some dogs are allergic to peanuts or owners want to avoid it for other reasons. There are several nutritious ingredients that can be used in place of peanut butter when making homemade ice cream for dogs:
Bananas make a great substitute for peanut butter in dog ice cream recipes. Bananas are high in potassium and vitamin B6. They also contain prebiotic fiber that supports digestive health. Make sure bananas are ripe and mashed well before adding to ice cream. Avoid giving dogs large amounts of banana if they have kidney disease.1
Honey can provide sweetness instead of peanut butter. Look for raw, unpasteurized honey which contains enzymes and nutrients. Honey should be diluted before giving to dogs. Too much can cause gastrointestinal upset. Dogs with bee allergies should avoid honey.2
Cooked, pureed carrots can give ice cream a creamy texture. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin K, and fiber. They support eye health and the immune system. Avoid adding too much carrot as excess vitamin A can be harmful.3
Equipment Needed
The most important piece of equipment for making homemade dog ice cream is a blender or food processor (https://living.greatpetcare.com/at-home/dog-ice-cream-recipe/). You’ll need a blender or food processor to properly puree and blend the ingredients together into a smooth ice cream base.
Using a blender or food processor allows you to completely incorporate the ingredients without any lumps. It also aerates the ice cream base to give it a lighter, creamier texture. Make sure to use a powerful blender or food processor, as cheaper models may struggle to fully break down some ingredients.
In addition to a blender or food processor, you’ll also need ice cube trays or silicone molds to pour the ice cream base into for freezing. The blender or food processor does the hard work, while the trays give you the iconic scoop shape we associate with ice cream.
Ice Cream Base Recipes
When making homemade dog ice cream, the base provides creaminess and binds the ingredients together. Here are some simple recipes to use as a base:
Yogurt and Fruit
Plain yogurt provides protein and probiotics for digestive health. Mix together 1 cup of plain yogurt with 1 cup of mashed ripe banana or other soft fruit like strawberries or blueberries. The fruit adds sweetness and flavor (Source).
Yogurt and Honey
For another simple base, combine 1 cup of plain yogurt with 2 tablespoons of honey. Honey is a natural sweetener that dogs can digest easily. Make sure to use raw, unpasteurized honey for the nutritional benefits (Source).
These yogurt-based mixes create a creamy treat dogs love. Adjust the amount of fruit or honey to reach the desired sweetness. Other yogurt-based recipes use ingredients like canned pumpkin or mashed avocado for unique flavors.
Mixing Directions
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to blend them together to create the ice cream base. Here are the steps for mixing:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed milk, coconut milk, banana, and any additional flavorings until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps.
2. Pour the liquid ingredients into a blender. Add in any solid mix-ins at this stage if using, like pieces of banana, blueberries, etc.
3. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth and creamy.
4. Pour the ice cream base into freezer-safe containers, allowing at least 1 inch of headspace as it will expand during freezing.
5. Cover the containers and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or overnight until completely solid.
Tip: Metal pans or loaf pans work well for freezing ice cream. You can also use freezer pop molds for individual servings.
Serving Suggestions
It’s important to serve homemade dog ice cream in small portions to prevent digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea. A good guideline is to start with 1-2 tablespoons for small dogs, 1/4 cup for medium dogs, and 1/2 cup for large dogs. Monitor your dog’s reaction after the initial serving and adjust accordingly. Some tips include:
- Use a small spoon or ice cream scoop to portion out servings.
- Serve in a shallow bowl so it’s easier for your dog to lick up.
- Make sure the ice cream is slightly softened, not frozen solid.
- Keep servings small and infrequent as a special treat.
- Don’t serve on a full stomach or with other rich foods.
- Stop serving if your dog seems disinterested.
It’s also best to share the treat over 2-3 days stored in the freezer to avoid overindulging. The key is moderation. Homemade dog ice cream is fine for most dogs in small doses but too much dairy can cause stomach upset. Keep a close eye and adjust portions to your dog’s tolerance.
Storing and Freezing
Properly storing your homemade dog ice cream will help it maintain quality and freshness for longer. Here are some tips for storage:
Use airtight containers like mason jars or freezer-safe zip-top bags. Make sure to label the containers with the flavor and date. This will help you keep track of what’s in the freezer.
Only fill containers about 3/4 full to allow for expansion during freezing. Leave a little headspace in jars or squeeze excess air out of bags before sealing.
Freeze ice cream for at least 2-3 hours until solidly frozen. Ice cream can be kept frozen for 2-3 months before quality starts to decline.
For best texture, thaw frozen ice cream overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Microwaving may cause ice crystals to form.
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, as this can cause ice cream to become icy. Portion out servings into individual containers for easy thawing.
Make sure your freezer is set to 0°F or below. A lower temperature helps maintain ice cream’s creamy texture.
Stack containers in the back of the freezer, where temperature fluctuates less. Don’t store in the freezer door.
If ice cream becomes crystallized from freezing too long, try letting it thaw slightly and mixing vigorously with a spoon before refreezing.
Safety Tips
When making homemade dog ice cream, there are a few important safety tips to keep in mind:
Avoid ingredients that can be toxic to dogs like chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, onion, garlic, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Stick to dog-friendly ingredients like banana, peanut butter, pumpkin puree, plain yogurt, etc. (Source: https://www.kibaa.co/blogs/news/diy-christmas-dog-treats)
Be sure to only give very small servings of homemade ice cream, about 1-2 tablespoons for small dogs and 1/4 cup for larger dogs. Too much dairy and sugar can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Only offer ice cream as an occasional treat. (Source: https://miasvietcuisinenj.com/turkey-dog-treats-recipe/)
Avoid feeding ice cream to puppies under 1 year old, dogs with health conditions like diabetes, or dogs with sensitive stomachs. Consult your vet if you have any concerns.
Store homemade ice cream in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 1 month. Defrost slightly before serving to avoid risk of tooth damage from hard frozen treats.