Frozen Yogurt and Strawberry Dog Treats (Ice Cubes)
Frozen dog treats made with plain yogurt and strawberries to cool your dog down in summer. Three ingredients, ten minutes of work and no added sugar.
- Time
- 10 min + 4 h resting
- Makes
- 24 pieces
- Type
- Treat
- Difficulty
- Easy
- 63 % plain yogurt, no sugar or sweeteners
- 38 % strawberries
Follows THE RULE. All 3 ingredients are on our safe list: nothing that could harm your dog.
These frozen yogurt dog treats are made with nothing but plain yogurt, strawberries and a splash of water, and they are the treat that comes out of the freezer most often in July and August. They work for dogs of any size: a small dog can lick one cube for a good while, and a big dog gets two in the bowl after a walk.
Half the strawberries are blended into the yogurt and the other half go in as small dice, so each cube turns out pink with little pieces of fruit the dog finds as it licks. The work takes ten minutes; the rest is waiting for the freezer to do its job.
Why it works
Plain yogurt provides protein, calcium and live cultures, and its fat keeps the cube creamy instead of turning it into a hard block of ice. Strawberries bring the flavor, some fiber and vitamin C for very few calories. The water lightens the mix: each cube comes out light, so on a hot day you can give one without throwing off your dog's daily portion.
Step by step
Prep the strawberries
Wash and hull the strawberries and cut half of them into small 1/4-inch (half-centimeter) dice. Leave the other half whole for blending.
Blend the base
Blend the yogurt with the whole strawberries and the water until you have a smooth, lump-free pink shake.
Fill the mold
Drop a few pieces of diced strawberry into each cavity of an ice cube tray or silicone mold and top up with the shake almost to the rim. A silicone mold is easier: the cubes pop right out without any banging.
Freeze
Put the mold in the freezer for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, until the cubes are solid all the way through.
Unmold and serve
Leave the mold out for a minute, pop out the cubes and give one to your dog in its bowl or on a surface you can wipe down: it drips a little as it melts.
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 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 21 |
Puppy, senior, very active or on a diet? Calculate the exact portion.
- Energy
- 8.4 kcal/piece
- Protein
- 11 % dry matter
- Fat
- 10 % 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. Once the cubes are solid, move them to a well-sealed freezer bag so they don't pick up odors or frost. If they have melted, don't refreeze them. The unfrozen mix keeps for 2 days covered in the fridge.
If you don't have…
- Strawberries are out of season
- Blueberries or raspberries in the same amount; cut blueberries in half
- Yogurt doesn't sit well with your dog
- Plain unsweetened kefir in the same amount: it usually contains less lactose
- You want even lighter cubes
- Swap 100 g (about 1/2 cup) of the yogurt for 100 g of water: you get more ice and less cream
Cooking tips
- The 10% rule: treats shouldn't make up more than 10% of the calories your dog eats in a day. The table in the recipe tells you how many cubes fit your dog's weight; on days you give more, trim their meals a little.
- If your dog gulps everything in one bite, freeze the mix in silicone muffin molds instead of ice cube trays: a big block forces them to lick.
- A cube stuffed inside a Kong or a fillable ball keeps a dog busy far longer than one loose in the bowl.
Safety
- The yogurt must be plain, with no sugar and no sweeteners. Xylitol (E967), common in "light" and "sugar-free" products, is highly toxic to dogs.
- Choking: a medium or large dog can swallow a small cube whole. Pick the mold size to match your dog's mouth and stay close while they eat it.
- If your dog bites down hard on ice or has sensitive teeth, take the cube out a couple of minutes early so it isn't rock hard.
- If your dog has never had dairy, start with half a cube: lactose gives some dogs gas or loose stools.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to give dogs ice cubes in summer?
Yes, an ice cube or a homemade frozen treat is a safe way to cool your dog down as long as they take it slowly. The risk isn't the cold but swallowing it whole or biting down hard on something very hard. Choose a size that suits their mouth and supervise. For heatstroke, don't use ice: wet your dog with cool water and call your vet.
Can dogs eat plain yogurt?
Yes, plain yogurt with no sugar or sweeteners is fine for most dogs in small amounts. Because it is fermented it has less lactose than milk, so it usually agrees with them. Avoid flavored yogurts, "fat-free" ones with sweeteners and anything containing xylitol. If it's the first time, give a spoonful and check their stool the next day.
How many strawberries can a dog eat?
A few strawberries are safe and provide fiber and vitamin C, but also natural sugars. As a guide, one or two for a small dog and three or four for a large one, as a treat rather than every day. Cut them into pieces if your dog eats fast, and wash them well before serving.
How many frozen yogurt treats can I give my dog a day?
Enough to stay under 10% of their daily calories, which for most dogs means one to four cubes depending on their weight. The portion table in this recipe gives you the exact number for your dog. On very hot days you can spread them out over the afternoon instead of giving them all at once.
What's in it, in detail
- Yogurt In moderation
- Strawberries 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.