Last updated: June 12, 2026 · 7-minute read
What Are the Best Frozen Dog Treats? The Short Answer
The best frozen dog treats are made from single-ingredient, dog-safe foods — plain yogurt, low-sodium bone or chicken broth, pumpkin puree, or mashed banana — frozen into bite-sized portions. For longer-lasting cooling enrichment, freeze a stuffed natural chew. Whenever you add a chew, choose ones that are 100% real meat, fully digestible, with no rawhide and ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms. Keep treats to about 10% of daily calories and always supervise.
Key takeaways
- Frozen treats deliver cooling relief and extra hydration on hot days, especially for dogs that don't drink enough.
- Stick to simple, dog-safe ingredients — plain yogurt, low-sodium broth, pumpkin, banana — and skip xylitol, chocolate, grapes, and added salt or sugar.
- Portion frozen treats to roughly 10% of daily calories and size them to your dog to avoid choking.
- For long-lasting enrichment, freeze a stuffed single-ingredient chew rather than relying on ice alone.
- Always supervise, and introduce new ingredients slowly to watch for tummy upset.
Why Are Frozen Treats Good for Dogs?
Frozen treats do three useful things at once. They provide cooling relief that helps a dog regulate body temperature on warm days, they sneak in extra hydration for dogs that are reluctant to drink, and — when made from the right ingredients — they're a healthy indulgence that supports overall wellbeing instead of working against it. They also double as enrichment: a frozen treat takes time to work through, which keeps a bored or anxious dog happily occupied.
What Ingredients Are Safe to Freeze for Dogs?
Simple is best. The following table shows reliable, dog-safe bases and what to avoid.
| Safe to freeze | Why it works | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Plain, unsweetened yogurt | Probiotics, calcium, creamy texture | Xylitol / sweetened yogurt |
| Low-sodium bone or chicken broth | Hydration + flavor dogs love | Onion/garlic broth, added salt |
| Pure pumpkin puree | Fiber, gentle on digestion | Pumpkin pie filling (spices, sugar) |
| Mashed banana | Natural sweetness, potassium | Chocolate, grapes, raisins |
| Watermelon (seedless) | High water content, low calorie | Fruit with pits or seeds |
How Do You Make Frozen Dog Treats at Home?
This three-ingredient peanut butter, banana, and yogurt pop is a reliable starting recipe. Use a silicone mold or an ice cube tray.
- Mash one ripe banana in a bowl until smooth and lump-free.
- Stir in 1 cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt until fully combined.
- Add 2 tablespoons of xylitol-free peanut butter and mix into a smooth blend.
- Spoon the mixture into a silicone mold or ice cube tray, leveling the tops.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours, then pop out and serve one as a portion-controlled treat.
Want savory instead? Freeze low-sodium chicken broth with finely chopped carrots and peas for a hydrating veggie cube. For a longer-lasting chill, smear a little of the yogurt mix inside a hollow chew like our beef trachea tubes and freeze it whole.
How Much Frozen Treat Can a Dog Have?
Treats of any kind should make up no more than about 10% of your dog's daily calories. Size the frozen portion to your dog — a small dog might get a single ice-cube-sized pop, while a large dog can handle a bigger mold. Introduce any new ingredient gradually over a few days and watch for loose stool, which usually just means you served too much too fast.
| Dog size | Suggested frozen portion | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 20 lb) | 1 ice-cube-sized pop | Most days |
| Medium (20–50 lb) | 1–2 standard molds | Most days |
| Large (50 lb+) | 1 large mold or stuffed chew | Most days |
What About Frozen Chews for Longer Cooling Enrichment?
Ice melts fast — a frozen chew lasts. Freezing a single-ingredient natural chew gives a dog a cool surface to work on plus the long-lasting satisfaction of a real chew. Our chews are 100% natural, single-ingredient, fully digestible, with no rawhide. Good options to chill include 6-inch standard bully sticks, 12-inch monster bully sticks, beef cheek rolls, cow ears, beef tendons, and tripe twist sticks. Browse the full natural dog treats and chews collection to stock up for summer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are frozen treats safe for dogs?
Yes, when made from dog-safe ingredients and sized appropriately. Avoid xylitol, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, and added salt or sugar, and always supervise your dog while they enjoy one.
Can frozen treats hurt my dog's teeth?
Soft frozen purees like yogurt or banana pops are gentle. Avoid letting dogs aggressively bite solid ice cubes, which can chip teeth — softer molded treats or a frozen chew are kinder choices.
How long do homemade frozen dog treats last?
Stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, they keep about 2–3 months in the freezer. Label them with the date so you can rotate through them.
Can puppies have frozen treats?
Yes, in small, soft portions. Frozen treats can even soothe teething puppies — just keep portions tiny and ingredients simple.
What's the easiest frozen dog treat to make?
Plain yogurt or low-sodium broth poured into an ice cube tray and frozen is about as easy as it gets — one ingredient, no prep.
Can I freeze a bully stick or other chew?
Absolutely. Freezing a single-ingredient chew adds a cooling element and makes it last longer. Choose fully digestible, no-rawhide chews and supervise as always.
My dog won't drink water — will frozen treats help?
They can. Broth-based or watermelon treats add moisture in a form many picky dogs prefer over a water bowl, helping with hot-weather hydration.
How often can I give frozen treats?
Most days is fine as long as treats stay within roughly 10% of daily calories and your dog tolerates the ingredients well.
Preston Smith is the co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. He started BSC because he couldn't find single-ingredient, fully digestible chews he trusted to give his own dogs — no rawhide, no chemicals, no mystery ingredients. He writes about dog nutrition, safe chews, and the practical side of feeding dogs well. Read more about Preston →
This post was last updated at June 23, 2026 23:50
