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8 Best Ice Cream Treats For Dogs: Ready-To-Eat, Mix-And-Freeze, Subscription & More

Tara Maurer with dog Rio.

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 | 7 min read | Leave a Comment

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When the weather is scorching, a cold treat can be the difference between an uncomfortable or refreshing afternoon. And while your pup is likely begging for a lick of your ice cream cone, the smart choice is to give your doggo a treat of their own. I’ve sifted through the options and picked out the eight best ice cream treats for dogs.

Best Mix-And-FreezeBeat Ready-To-EatBest Flavor SelectionBest TextureHealthiestBest For Sensitive StomachsBest SourcingBest Subscription
Puppy Scoops dog ice creamDogsters dog ice creamPooch Creamery Review dog ice creamPurina Frosty Paws dog ice creamYoghund Yopup dog ice creamHoggin' Dogs dog ice cream Ben & Jerry's Doggie DessertsOllie Dog Ice Cream
Puppy ScoopsDogstersPooch CreameryPurina Frosty PawsYoghund YopupHoggin’ DogsBen & Jerry’s Doggie DessertsOllie
View On AmazonView On WalmartView On ChewyView On WalmartView On YoghundView On AmazonView On Ben & Jerry’sView On Ollie
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Best Ice Cream For Dogs

When choosing the best ice cream for dogs, I considered factors like ingredients, sourcing, price, availability, and customer reviews.

Best Mix-And-Freeze: Puppy Scoops Review

Puppy Scoops dog ice cream

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Puppy Scoops by Puppy Cake is an ice cream for dogs made with lactose-free whole milk, cane sugar, gelatin, and salt. The ice cream comes as a dry mix. Puppy Scoops instructs you to combine the ice cream packet with water and freeze for at least five hours. Alternatively, you can create single servings by pouring the liquid into silicone molds before freezing.

Puppy Scoops offers five fun flavors—maple bacon, peanut butter, vanilla, carob, and birthday cake—and reviewers say their dogs can’t get enough. Keep in mind that this ice cream is high in fat, so moderation is key. The serving suggestion is around 1/2 scoop (1 fl. oz.) per 15 pounds of body weight.

ProsCons
Dog-approved flavorsRequires adding water and freezing
Small (2.32 oz.) and regular (4.65 oz.) sizesSome recipes contain artificial flavors
Lactose-freeHigh fat
12-month shelf life unmixed, 6 weeks in freezer
Can be poured into a silicone mold for easy portioning

Pricing

Best Ready-To-Eat: Dogsters Review

Dogsters dog ice cream

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If your dog needs their ice cream fix right away, pick up a box of Dogsters. Dogsters ice cream is ready to enjoy and available in four paws-itively delicious flavors: cheesy bac’n, minte kissably fresh, nutly & cheese, and dairy-free raw-some pumpkin. All of Dogsters’s ice creams are low calorie and low fat. They feature human-grade ingredients and are made without artificial flavors.

Each box of Dogsters comes with four single-serving cups. Dogster recommends popping the frozen treat out of the cup and serving it in your pup’s bowl.

ProsCons
Ready to enjoyContain artificial colors
Vet approved
Low fat
Dairy-free option
Inexpensive

Pricing

  • $2.98 (4, 3.5 oz. cups)

Best Flavor Selection: Pooch Creamery Review

Pooch Creamery Review dog ice cream

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Pooch Creamery uses only five ingredients in its recipes, including lactose-free whole milk, cane sugar, gelatin, and salt. Choose between dog-favorite flavors like peanut butter and maple bacon, as well as unique options like watermelon and birthday cake.

This dog ice cream ships as a powered mix. Enjoying this treat requires a bit of forethought—once you add water, the grain-free ice cream must be frozen for at least eight hours. To avoid tummy troubles, stick to around 1/2 scoop (1 oz.) per 15 pounds.

ProsCons
Lots of flavorsSome reviewers said it caused an upset stomach
Only 5 ingredientsRequires adding water and freezing (8+ hours)
Made with lactose-free whole milk
Human-grade ingredients
Made in the USA

Pricing

  • Starting at (5.25 oz.)

Best Texture: Purina Frosty Paws Review

Purina Frosty Paws dog ice cream

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As the very first frozen canine treat sold in the United States, Frosty Paws has proven that its product stands the test of time. Doggies love the peanut butter flavor and the ice cream is blended and ready-to-eat in single serving containers.

I do want to note that Purina is a subsidiary of the Swiss multinational conglomerate Nestlé, which has been criticized for its unethical business practices. Still, this option is widely available and is a tasty treat for a texture-picky pooch.

ProsCons
No added sugarOnly 1 flavor
Includes added vitamins and mineralsOwned by Nestle
No artificial colors or flavors
Ready to eat

Pricing

  • $4.98 (4 count, 13 oz. total)

Our Personal Experience With Frost Paws

Our dogs have always loved a Frosty Paws frozen ice cream treat, especially in summer. One licks it patiently, and the other gobbles it right up and asks for more!

Michelle Schenker, Rescue Dog Parent, Licensed Insurance Professional & Canine Journal Co-Founder

Healthiest: Yoghund Yopup Review

Yoghund Yopup dog ice cream

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While technically fro-yo, this frozen treat is healthy enough for your pet to enjoy on a daily basis. And with dog-licious flavors like pumpkin & bacon, banana & peanut butter, and apple juice & cheddar, your pupper is sure to enjoy.

Yoghund’s frozen yogurt is manufactured in the United States. Each cup has billions of live beneficial bacteria cultures to support your dog’s digestion and immunity. While this product contains dairy, the yogurt’s bacteria break down lactose and produce lactase enzymes, making it much easier to digest than other dairy products.

You can find Yoghund at select stores, including Petco and PetSmart.

ProsCons
Low calorieContains dairy
Low fat
Whole food ingredients
Contains probiotics and prebiotic fiber
Ready to enjoy

Pricing

Best For Sensitive Stomachs: Hoggin’ Dogs Review

Hoggin' Dogs dog ice cream

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Hoggin’ Dogs did the seemingly impossible: It made an ice cream for sensitive stomachs and refined palettes alike. Hoggin’ Dogs is by Puppy Cake—the same brand that makes our top mix-and-freeze product, Puppy Scoops. Where Puppy Scoops wins overall, Hoggin’ Dogs is the better choice for pups with sensitive stomachs.

Each recipe contains only a few ingredients, including lactose-free whole milk, gelatin, salt, and natural flavor. Choose between five flavors: peanut, bacon, pumpkin, prime rib, and cheese.

ProsCons
Lactose-freeHigh fat
No added sugarRequires adding water and freezing
Small (2.32 oz.) and regular (4.65 oz.) sizes
12-month shelf life unmixed, 6 weeks in freezer

Pricing

Our Personal Experience With Hoggin’ Dogs

Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was gifted Hoggin’ Dogs, and he loved all four flavors. I love how easy it is to use. You just add water and freeze. He can stick his little snout inside the paper cup, or we sometimes dump the powder into a larger bowl and mix it with water, then pour it into frozen ice cube molds for little bite-sized treats. They last a long time, and he usually licks it for at least 20-30 minutes before it fully melts. It can be a bit messy at times, but if you put down something like a blanket while he’s eating so it doesn’t slide around, that helps. We love that Hoggin’ Dogs uses only natural ingredients, so we know it’s healthy for Georgie, too.

Sadie Cornelius, Dog Mom to a picky eater Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Marketing for Canine Journal

Best Sourcing: Ben & Jerry’s Doggie Desserts Review

Ben & Jerry's Doggie Desserts

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Ben & Jerry’s Doggie Desserts come in two delicious flavors. Pontch’s Mix blends peanut butter and pretzel swirls, and Rosie’s Batch mixes pumpkin with mini cookies. It’s the Ben & Jerry’s you love—just for dogs.

The brand also gets major points for its commitment to responsible sourcing. The company supports farmers who practice regenerative agriculture and animal welfare. It works with organizations like Fairtrade International to ensure decent working conditions and fair wages for farmers. The brand also works with other B Corp-certified businesses to ensure their suppliers meet certain social, economic, and environmental standards.

Doggie Desserts are found at various big-box stores, including Petco, PetSmart, and Target.

ProsCons
Available as single mini cups or multi-packHigh calorie
Fairtrade, Non-GMO, and responsibly sourced packagingContains dairy
No artificial colors or flavors

Pricing

  • Starting at $2.99 (4 oz.)

Best Subscription: Ollie Dog Ice Cream Review

Ollie Dog Ice Cream

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Dog food subscription service Ollie has partnered with artisanal ice cream brand Van Leeuwen to create a limited edition peanut butter and banana ice cream pint for dogs. You can pick up a pint in person at select Petco locations and all Van Leeuwen scoop shops and ice cream trucks. Or, add this pet ice cream to your cart when ordering with your Ollie subscription. Ollie gives first-time purchasers 60% off their first box and a free pint of Van Leeuwen ice cream.

The Ollie x Van Leeuwen team crafted its cream using real food ingredients, like peanut butter, bananas, and coconut cream. The non-dairy ice cream is free of artificial flavors and colors; it uses natural flavors and turmeric extract for color. The salty-sweet taste is sure to get your pup’s bark of approval.

ProsCons
Human-grade ingredientsLimited time available
Free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and by-productsOnly 1 flavor
Dairy-free
Ready to eat
Made in the USA

Price

Our Personal Experience With Ollie Ice Cream

Two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels eating Ollie ice cream from container.

We picked up some Ollie Ice cream at the local Van Leeuwen store. Our dog and his buddy loved it, and it looked (and smelled) good enough for me to eat, too! The texture was identical to that of human ice cream, and the ingredients were fresh and creamy. It was quite a treat on a hot Summer day. We let them eat it from the container and then scooped some into a bowl. It lasted for days and was a perfect way to keep them cool (and entertained with the licking).

– Sadie Cornelius, Dog Mom to a picky eater Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Marketing for Canine Journal

In-Depth Review Of Ollie

Check out our full review of Ollie dog food for more details, including key features, pricing, and personal experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dog licking cup of ice cream.
Image credit: Sue Thatcher, Shutterstock

Here are some questions our readers often ask about dog ice cream. Don’t see yours? Ask us in the comments.

What Is Doggy Ice Cream Made Of?

Dog ice cream ingredients vary by brand. Often, they feature lactose-free milk since many canines are lactose intolerant and have trouble drinking milk. Some companies use dairy alternatives, such as coconut cream.

Other ingredients typically seen in dog ice cream are thickening and/or emulsifying ingredients (e.g., carrageenan, gelatin, guar gum, lecithin, and locust bean gum) for texture and to prevent natural separation. Finally, brands will add dog-safe ingredients for flavor, like peanuts. Common choices include banana puree, coconut oil, peanut butter, pumpkin puree, salt, and sugar.

What Makes Dog Ice Cream Different?

Traditional ice cream is made from milk, whey powder, or cream that is then flavored with sugar and other additives. Sometimes, it features additional thickeners and stabilizers. Dog ice cream is different in that it features lactose-free or dairy-free ingredients as to not upset your pet’s stomach. It also won’t have dangerous-to-dog additives like chocolate.

Make Your Own Frozen Treat For Dogs

While there are many dog ice cream cups on the market, you can also make frozen treats for your dog at home using only a few ingredients. View our seven favorite frozen dog treat recipes.

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Tara is part of the Canine Journal team, which has over a decade of experience researching, testing, and writing about anything and everything dog-related. She also has 8+ years of experience in the wellness industry, with experience in pet nutrition and supplementation. For this article, Tara used her experience in health and nutrition to pick the best dog ice cream. As a reminder, dog ice cream should not be used as a meal and should always be fed in moderation.

The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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