There is nothing that can ruin a bowl of ice cream more than the guilt of having your dog stare at you with their big puppy dog eyes asking you to share.
I get stared at every time I have ice cream. It’s like my dogs are asking where their ice cream is.
Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?
Unfortunately, no, dogs should not eat ice cream.
Ice cream is not good for dogs partly because it is high in sugar which can cause obesity in dogs.
It is also high in lactose which dogs cannot digest once they are weaned as puppies. Though some dogs can tolerate some lactose, most can’t tolerate the amount that is in ice cream.
The post, Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream, has more information about why dogs shouldn’t have ice cream.
It is best, overall, to not give your dog ice cream meant for humans. But you can make your dog some homemade ice cream for dogs, which is ok for them to eat.
How to Make Dog Ice Cream
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To make dog ice cream you will need 1 5.3-ounce container of Greek yogurt (about 3/4 cup), 1 ripe banana, and ¼ cup peanut butter (make sure the peanut butter does not contain xylitol).
I use Greek yogurt as it is supposed to be more tolerable for dogs than regular yogurt due to it having less lactose, but you know your dog(s) best.
Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog new foods.
If you would prefer to not give your dog dairy, try this non-dairy dog ice cream recipe instead.
To make ice cream for dogs start with mashing the banana.
Next, add the peanut butter and mix until it is combined with the banana.
Then add the Greek yogurt and mix until that is combined.
Finally, spoon the mixture into containers to freeze. I’ve used regular ice cube trays and these paw and bone trays. Or you can reuse yogurt containers. Any container will work, just use a size appropriate for your dog’s size.
Freeze until solid. Then they can be stored in a freezer bag or other container with a cover.
Tips
Prefrozen bananas work great for this recipe, just run them through a food processor until smooth. If you are planning on freezing overripe bananas to use later, it is much easier to peel and cut them into two-inch long pieces before freezing.
If your ice cube trays are a little flimsy, like some of the silicone molds, just place them on a cookie sheet before filling.
Then use the cookie sheet for moving the trays around and putting them into the freezer.
Taste Test
Both of my dogs were very interested in what I was making, so I let them help me clean up. Luna got to lick out the bowl and Morgan got to lick the spoon.
Both the bowl and the spoon were licked so clean you couldn’t tell I had used them.
I took that as positive feedback and was excited to see how they liked them frozen. After they had been in the freezer for most of the day, I gave each dog one. They both loved it and had it gone within seconds.
Neither one licked their dog ice cream but instead ate it like they do ice cubes.
It was definitely a success with my dogs.
Other Frozen Dog Treats
If your dog likes ice cream for dogs, they may also like these other frozen dog treat recipes. Take a look and see what other recipes they may like.
Frozen Fresh Breath Dog Treats
Ice Cream for Dogs
This is an easy to make, 3 ingredient ice cream for dogs.
Ingredients
- 1 5.3oz package of Greek yogurt (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 ripe banana
- ¼ cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Mash the banana.
- Add peanut butter and mix until combined.
- Add the Greek yogurt and mix until combined.
- Spoon the mixture into freezer safe containers.
- Freeze until solid.
Notes
To make a dairy-free version, eliminate the Greek yogurt, and add a second banana.
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I just finished mixing these up! While my pitty mix hasn’t had any frozen yet, she definitely approved of non frozen haha. The hubby and I both love the flavor as well! I want to try it with sweet potatoes as well, but thought I’d make it as written before tweaking it. Thank you for the recipe!
Made these freezer treats for my 2 boxers & they absolutely loved them!!
My dogs love this! It is so hot now in Fla. When they go out I have some waiting for when they get back inside. I use the silicone cupcake cups and when frozen I pop them out and put in a container. Then I just put one in their bowl to eat.
I’ve made this for my dogs.
I use mangos and banana’s.
They REALLY love it. Haven’t made peanut butter&banana yet. But absolutely sure they’ll like it as well.
My dog does not care for bananas, I feel like sweet potatoes might be a good substitution what do you think?
I have not made much with sweet potatoes yet but I would think if you used cooked sweet potatoes it would work. The consistency might be a little different but that shouldn’t matter.
Hi. Shannon.. I just came across ur recipe.. instead of Greek yogurt, can I use coconut yogurt instead?
I have never used coconut yogurt, so I don’t know if it would work or not.
With the ingredients used, humans can enjoy these along with their fur babies as well to keep them from staring 😊. My dog loves 💕 them ❣️
I so appreciate your recipe ideas, and will pass them on to others I know who l❤️Ve their pets like myself. Thank you and your cute doggies for the great ideas. I’m sure Our Bailey will love them🐶🐶
Easy to make. My dachshund is a very pickey eater. But he loves these. I have the little dog-bone shape silicone trays that you have in your picture. It fills two trays.
Might wanna spell check. I don’t think you wanna pee your banana. 🤣
OMG I can’t believe I did that! Thank you for pointing that out.
Too funny!! Hard pass!
Please tell me, is there a specific amount of yogurt, or do I just eyeball?? I can’t find anything here.
I used a single-serve, 5.3 oz package of Greek yogurt. I also fixed it in the post, thank you for pointing that out to me.
I use whole milk instead of yogurt. My dogs loved it. I love when they eat healthy and enjoy it.
just a warning, dogs cannot drink milk in a large quantity