Frozen Ricotta and Raspberry Dog Treats
Frozen dog treats made with ricotta, raspberries and banana. Three ingredients, no baking and about 30 bite-sized pieces, like little bonbons, for summer.
- Time
- 10 min + 3 h resting
- Makes
- 30 pieces
- Type
- Treat
- Difficulty
- Easy
- 57 % cottage cheese or ricotta
- 29 % raspberries
- 14 % banana
Follows THE RULE. All 3 ingredients are on our safe list: nothing that could harm your dog.
These frozen dog treats are little bites of whipped ricotta blended with banana, with a raspberry hidden inside. They come out the size of a chocolate bonbon, disappear in two bites and don't melt as fast as a yogurt cube, because ricotta is denser.
They are one of the quickest treats you can make: blend three ingredients, spoon them into a chocolate mold and into the freezer. Ricotta has more protein than yogurt and a mild, milky flavor dogs really like; the raspberry adds color and a tangy touch.
Why it works
Ricotta provides milk protein and calcium and is the creamy base of each bite; frozen, it turns firm but is still easy to bite into. Banana sweetens naturally and helps the mix turn out smooth. Raspberries add fiber and antioxidants with very few calories, and because they go in whole, they become the surprise inside the treat.
Step by step
Set aside the raspberries
Set aside 30 whole raspberries, one per bite. Keep the rest for blending.
Blend the base
Blend the ricotta with the banana and the remaining raspberries until you have a smooth, lump-free pink cream.
Fill the mold
Fill each cavity of a chocolate mold or small ice cube tray halfway, place a whole raspberry on top and cover with more cream up to the rim. Smooth the tops with the back of a teaspoon.
Freeze
Put the mold in the freezer for at least 3 hours, until the bites are hard.
Unmold and store
Unmold them by pushing from underneath and move them to a container or freezer bag. Take them out a couple of minutes before giving them to your dog.
How many a day?
As a treat, keeping under 10% of what they eat each day.
— pieces a day at most
| Weight | 3 kg | 5 kg | 10 kg | 15 kg | 20 kg | 30 kg | 40 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pieces/day | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 14 |
Puppy, senior, very active or on a diet? Calculate the exact portion.
- Energy
- 12.1 kcal/piece
- Protein
- 33 % dry matter
- Fat
- 13 % dry matter
Values estimated from the ingredients (BEDCA/USDA data). A treat: keep treats under 10% of what they eat each day.
Storage
Freezer: up to 2 months in a well-sealed container or bag. If they melt, don't refreeze them. The unfrozen mix keeps for 2 days covered in the fridge.
If you don't have…
- You can't find raspberries
- Blueberries or diced strawberries, in the same amount
- You don't have ricotta
- Nonfat quark in the same amount; it's a bit lighter and less firm
- You'd rather not use banana
- 60 g of pitted, peeled mango
Cooking tips
- The 10% rule: treats shouldn't make up more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. The table in the recipe tells you how many bites fit their weight.
- For a large dog that swallows without chewing, use muffin molds: a big bite they have to lick is better than a small one they swallow whole.
- If you want them for a walk, carry them in a container with an ice pack: they hold for half an hour without falling apart.
Safety
- Low-salt cheese: ricotta usually has very little, but cottage cheese often has considerably more. Compare the sodium on the nutrition label and choose the lowest.
- Raspberries naturally contain a very small amount of xylitol. In the amount in this recipe, a few raspberries per bite, it isn't a risk, but don't give your dog a whole bowl of raspberries.
- If your dog has never had dairy, start with one bite: lactose gives some dogs gas or loose stools.
- Choose the mold size to match your dog's mouth and stay close while they eat.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat ricotta cheese?
Yes, ricotta is one of the cheeses best suited to dogs: it's low in fat, has less lactose than milk and a good amount of protein. Choose one that is low in salt and give it in treat-sized amounts or as part of a recipe. If your dog is lactose intolerant or has pancreatitis, check with your vet first.
Can dogs eat raspberries?
Yes, in moderation. Raspberries provide fiber and vitamin C and are low in calories, but they contain a very small natural amount of xylitol. A handful now and then is safe for a medium or large dog; for a small dog, just a few. Don't give them by the bowlful.
What frozen treats can I give my dog in summer?
Any mix of safe ingredients frozen in portions: yogurt or ricotta with dog-safe fruit, unsalted homemade broth, or watermelon or melon without seeds. What matters is that they contain no sugar, sweeteners or forbidden ingredients, and that the size is safe for your dog's mouth. They count as treats: stick to the 10% rule.
What's in it, in detail
- Cheese In moderation
- Raspberries In moderation
- Bananas Yes
If they liked it, try
The fridge list
The foods your dog can eat, can have in moderation and must never eat, on a single printable page.