Dogs love treats, and especially enjoy cold treats during the hot summer months. Ice cream is one of the best ways to help cool down and make your dog happy on a hot day. Making homemade ice cream cones specifically for your dog is a fun project that results in a yummy cold treat they’ll love.
Ice cream cones are the perfect shape and size for your dog to hold and eat. The cold, creamy ice cream filling provides refreshing relief from the heat. The cone gives them something to nibble on after they finish the frozen center. Making the cones yourself allows you to control the ingredients so it’s healthy and safe for your pup.
Benefits of Homemade Ice Cream for Dogs
Making homemade ice cream is a fun way to bond with your dog and see them enjoy a tasty cold treat on a hot day. The process of licking and chewing provides mental stimulation for dogs as they work to get every last bit of ice cream out of the cone or mold. According to this article, frozen treats can help soothe sore gums in teething puppies. They also help cool dogs down on hot summer days. Just be sure to keep portion sizes small since too much dairy can cause digestive upset.
Safety Tips
When making ice cream for dogs, it’s important to keep in mind some key safety tips:
Use dog-safe ingredients. Avoid any ingredients that are toxic to dogs like chocolate, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, and xylitol. Stick to simple, dog-friendly ingredients like banana, peanut butter, or pumpkin.
Only give in moderation/small amounts. While ice cream is a treat, too much can cause stomach upset or weight gain. Stick to a few small scoops as an occasional treat.
Don’t make it too rich. Dogs don’t need whipped cream, hot fudge, or other heavy toppings. Keep the base simple and add just a dollop of peanut butter or banana slices as a topping.
Check with your vet. If your dog has any food allergies or health conditions, check with your vet before introducing any new foods, including homemade ice cream.
Ingredients
You’ll need a few basic ingredients to make a tasty and nutritious dog ice cream. According to Food with Feeling, this recipe calls for plain yogurt, a ripe banana, and peanut butter. The yogurt provides healthy probiotics for your dog, the banana adds the sweetness and ice cream texture, and the peanut butter enhances the flavor and boosts the protein level to keep your dog full1. Some other potential ingredients are blueberries, carrots, sweet potato, honey, or coconut oil in moderation, as suggested by The Recipe Critic2. Always avoid chocolate, grapes, raisins or other foods toxic to dogs in your canine ice cream recipes. Start with simple, dog-approved ingredients and add plenty of love!
Equipment
The main equipment you’ll need to make dog ice cream and pour it into cones are:
- Blender – To blend together the ice cream ingredients into a smooth base. Look for a high powered blender that can fully emulsify frozen ingredients.
- Ice cube trays or popsicle molds – For freezing the ice cream into individual servings. Silicon molds work well.
- Spoons – Both small spoons for scooping the ice cream and larger spoons for filling the cones/molds.
- Ice cream cones – Waffle cones or cake cones to serve the frozen ice cream in.
- Freezer-safe containers – For storing any extra ice cream base.
- Measuring cups – To accurately measure out ingredients.
Make sure all equipment is clean and safe for your dog to eat from. Stainless steel, silicone, and plastic work well.
You can find most of these supplies already in your kitchen or purchase them affordably at grocery and home goods stores.
Making the Ice Cream Base
The first step in making homemade dog ice cream is to blend together the ingredients that will form the creamy ice cream base. Here are the steps:
1. Gather the ingredients. You will need plain Greek yogurt, banana, peanut butter (or other nut butter), and a sweetener like honey. Specific amounts will vary by recipe, but a common ratio is 2 cups yogurt, 1 banana, 1/3 cup peanut butter, and 1-2 tbsp honey. Source
2. Peel and slice the banana. Place the slices into a blender or food processor.
3. Add the yogurt, peanut butter, honey, and any other ingredients to the blender. You may want to use reduced fat versions of yogurt and peanut butter.
4. Blend the ingredients together until smooth and uniform. Scrape down the sides as needed. The result should be a thick, creamy, soft serve-style ice cream base.
5. Taste the base and adjust sweetness or flavors as desired. Add a touch more honey for sweetness or peanut butter for nuttiness.
6. Once you’re satisfied with the taste, the ice cream base is ready to pour into cones or molds for freezing.
Pouring into Cones/Molds
Once your ice cream base is made and sufficiently chilled, it’s time to pour it into cones or molds for freezing. Here are some tips for a clean transfer:
Choose cone holders or trays to keep the cones upright while filling. Metal holders with holes work well to secure the cones. For molds, set them on a tray lined with parchment paper.
Work quickly and efficiently when pouring the base. You want to limit melting and dripping as much as possible. Have everything ready before taking the base out of the fridge.
Use a ladle, large spoon, or measuring cup to transfer the base into the cones or molds. Pour slowly and steadily in the center of the cone or mold.
Fill cones 3/4 full to leave room for expansion during freezing. Overfilling can cause dripping and waste. Stop about 1/2 inch below the rim.
Tap molds gently on the counter after pouring to release air bubbles. Smooth the top with a spoon or spatula.
Place filled cones or molds in the freezer right away. Freeze until completely solid, at least 6 hours or overnight.
Check out this helpful video on pulling the perfect soft serve cone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv_xOFjPdUo
With the right technique, you can cleanly fill cones and molds without wasting any precious ice cream base!
Freezing
After pouring the ice cream base into molds or cones, it’s important to freeze it thoroughly before serving to your dog. Most recipes recommend freezing homemade dog ice cream for at least 4 hours. According to this recipe, dog ice cream can be frozen for up to one month.
Freezing the ice cream base helps it set up properly so it has the right creamy, scoopable texture. If it’s not frozen long enough, the ice cream can be runny or mushy. Freezing for at least 4 hours ensures the ice cream is firm enough to scoop and serve.
It’s best to place the ice cream molds or cones on a baking sheet in the freezer so they freeze evenly. Make sure to cover them with plastic wrap or foil so they don’t pick up freezer odors. Check on them periodically to see if they are frozen solid. When ready, they should be firm throughout when gently squeezed.
Serving
Before serving homemade ice cream to dogs, be sure to follow these tips for a safe and enjoyable experience:
Portion size is important. Small dogs should only have 1-2 tablespoons of ice cream at a time. Medium dogs can have up to 1/4 cup. Large breeds may handle up to 1/2 cup. Too much can upset their stomachs. [1]
Let the ice cream soften slightly so it’s easier to lick and swallow. Take it out of the freezer for 5-10 minutes beforehand. Microwaving briefly can also soften it up.
Make sure your dog has plenty of space to enjoy their treat. Keep small children and other pets away to avoid having it stolen. Place a mat down in case of drips.
Avoid giving ice cream right before or after a meal, as the fat and lactose can cause an upset stomach when combined with kibble. Give at least an hour before or after eating.
Wash your dog’s face when done to prevent sticky messes. Avoid letting them lick bowls or utensils to reduce cleanup.
Only give infrequently as a special treat. Too much can lead to obesity or other health issues. Once a week or less is ideal.
Cleanup
After making homemade dog ice cream, be sure to clean up thoroughly to avoid bacteria growth. Here are some tips for cleaning up:
Wash all equipment including bowls, spoons, ice cream maker parts, etc. with hot soapy water. Rinse and allow to air dry completely. You can also run bowls and utensils through the dishwasher.
Wipe down countertops and any other surfaces with a sanitizing cleaner or dilute bleach solution. This will kill any bacteria that could contaminate future ice cream making.
Leftover ice cream can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 1-2 weeks. Be sure to label it clearly as “dog ice cream” to avoid confusion. Use ice cube trays to freeze leftovers in smaller portions.
When serving, use clean bowls and spoons each time to prevent the spread of bacteria. Wash bowls promptly after use.
Take out trash and compost if applicable. A clean kitchen will make the next round of ice cream making more pleasant!
