8 Dog Ice Cream Recipes: Pup-Safe, Non-Dairy & Simple Homemade Options

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works.

One of my guilty pleasures is ice cream — and my pup Tiny goes overboard to make me feel even more guilty about enjoying it. It’s so hard to resist those pleading puppy eyes. But then I found (and tweaked) the best dog ice cream recipe that he and I could share together. And it’s healthier for me, too. Score!

Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?

First, it’s crucial to understand what’s safe and what’s not regarding ice cream for dogs.

According to Dr. Hannah Godfrey, MRCVS, a small animal veterinarian in the United Kingdom, “The short answer is, if it’s human ice cream, you shouldn’t feed it to your dog. Why? It’s full of fat and sugar, so it’s not good for their waistline,” she says. Not for owners, either!

But the risks with human ice cream for our furry sidekicks don’t end there. “Dogs could end up with other serious health problems like pancreatitis,” she shares. Additionally, depending on the flavor, your dog may become extremely ill from toxic ingredients, such as xylitol, chocolate, macadamia nuts, and more.

Refer to Dr. Godfrey’s comprehensive guide on feeding ice cream to dogs for more information.

5 Key Dog-Safe Ingredients

To help you choose the healthiest and safest options for your pup, we have some guidelines on dog-safe versions of some of the ingredients in the recipes below.

1. Yogurt

Plain, Greek-styled yogurt is the ideal choice for dogs. It contains less sugar and carbohydrates than regular yogurt. However, keep in mind that while small amounts of yogurt are likely okay, many dogs are lactose intolerant, so consuming too much can cause digestive issues.

2. Non-Dairy Milk & Non-Dairy Yogurt

Almond, oat, coconut, and soy milk (or yogurt) are excellent lactose-free alternatives to traditional yogurt. Plain, unsweetened is the way to go here. It’s essential to check the ingredients. Steer clear of any product with additives, preservatives, sugars, or added salt.

At a minimum, ensure your non-dairy product doesn’t contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that’s highly toxic to dogs.

3. Peanut Butter

All-natural plain peanut butter is best for dogs. Again, it’s essential to avoid additives, preservatives, sugars, or added salt — and check the label for xylitol. See our reviews of the best peanut butter for dogs for our top picks and more information.

4. Fruits

Fruit is one of the safest, low-calorie additions to give your pup a flavor blast in their ice cream. And they’re super healthy for our furry friends. The ideal fruits to add to ice cream are blueberries, strawberries, bananas, and watermelon, but many others work well. See which fruits are safe for dogs.

5. Pumpkin Puree

Plain canned pumpkin without added sugars, fillers, spices, or other ingredients is the way to go here. Don’t give your dog a canned pumpkin pie mixture or sugar-free canned pumpkin. Plain fresh pumpkin is also safe.

Moderation Is Key

Experts advise sticking to modest amounts when giving your pup any snacks or treats. The general rule is that treats and additional food shouldn’t exceed 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. The remaining 90% should come from a complete and balanced dog food.

“I regularly come across dogs who are overweight, and often the underlying reason is that they eat too many treats in addition to their dog food,” says Dr. Godfrey.

Expert Tip: Ingredients like peanut butter, yogurt, and coconut milk can be moderately high in fat. If you have a dog prone to weight gain or one who has pancreatitis or kidney or heart problems, it’s best to avoid these ingredients.

What You’ll Need To Make Homemade Dog Ice Cream

These ice cream scoop molds are handy to have on hand when freezing your homemade dog ice cream. If you want to make smaller portions, you can use a regular ice cube tray, but I love these adorable frozen dog treat molds in the shape of paws and bones. Finally, some recipes call for a blender, food processor, or whisk.

8 Best Homemade Dog Ice Cream Recipes

When it comes to dog ice cream, it helps to think outside of the box about what humans crave for ideal ice cream flavors versus what our furry friends can eat. For example, chocolate is a huge no. Dogs aren’t always as discerning as we are in terms of taste preferences.

Expert Tip: Many of these recipes have plain yogurt in their ingredients, but you can always substitute non-dairy yogurt or milk if your pup is lactose intolerant. You may need to adjust the recipe for consistency if using milk instead of yogurt.

1. My Favorite Homemade Dog Ice Cream Recipe: Pumpkin & Peanut Butter

I adapted this recipe I found online, and it’s my favorite for my dog and me to share together. Who needs to wait for the fall to enjoy a pumpkin-flavored treat?! I love to add a dash of cinnamon and/or ginger. Added turmeric, a deep golden-orange spice, gives this ice cream a color, flavor, and nutrition boost.

Warning! If you’re aiming for a pumpkin pie flavor, omit nutmeg and allspice. They’re toxic for dogs, even in small amounts.

Ingredients

• ½ cup plain pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 1 32-ounce container of plain Greek yogurt
• 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
• A dash of cinnamon and/or ginger

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin, peanut butter, honey, and turmeric until smooth. (You may need to warm the peanut butter and honey to make it easier to stir.)
2. Fold in yogurt until combined.
3. Divide into freezer-safe containers and freeze for at least 2 hours.
4. Top with a dash of cinnamon and/or ginger for a burst of flavor.

Source: adapted from Fake Ginger‘s recipe

2. Most Popular Dog Ice Cream Recipe: Peanut Butter, Bananas & Yogurt

This is the tried-and-true recipe that dominates the internet for dog ice cream. And for good reason. It contains simple ingredients and those that dogs drool over. This recipe is a plus because it’s ready to serve — no freezing time is required if you use frozen bananas.

Ingredients

• Peanut butter
• Frozen over-ripe bananas (peels or not)
• Plain, unsweetened yogurt

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender until you achieve the desired consistency.
2. Spoon into a dog-safe serving bowl and let them enjoy!

Tip: Banana peels contain a lot of fiber, so if your dog has a sensitive digestive system, I recommend removing the peels before adding the banana to your blender.

Source: Bone Appétreat (among many other sources)

3. Blender-Free Dog Food Ice Cream Recipe

This recipe is a fantastic way to feed your pup “ice cream” as a meal. It uses holistic dog food, kefir milk, and blueberries as the primary ingredients. If your pup is lactose intolerant, you can substitute a non-dairy milk for the kefir milk.

Ingredients

• Earthborn Holistics K95 Wet Dog Food (beef, chicken, duck, lamb, & turkey available)
• Kefir milk
• Blueberries
• Ice cream scoop molds
• Ice cream cones (see dog-friendly cone recipe below)
• Plain Greek yogurt (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

1. Empty your can of K95 dog food into a mixing bowl.
2. Gradually stir in kefir until the mixture reaches a good consistency. (Using K95 alone will freeze too solid — kefir keeps it creamy.)
3. Fold in the blueberries.
4. Spoon the mixture into your ice cream scoop molds. For stacked cones, press a small indent on the top of each scoop to make stacking easier later.
5. Freeze for a few hours until firm.
6. Once frozen, pop the scoops out of the mold and stack them onto a dog-friendly ice cream cone.
7. Add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt on top and finish with sprinkles (optional).

Source: Earthborn Holistics

4. Simple Dog Ice Cream Recipe: Fruit, Yogurt & Honey

This recipe skips peanut butter for a lower-fat option. And some dogs, although few and far between, aren’t peanut butter fans. It’s easy to make and pup-friendly!

Ingredients

• 1 cup of plain or plant-based yogurt
• 1/2 cup of strawberry-banana frozen fruit blend
• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into freezer-safe molds.
3. Freeze for at least 3 hours or until fully set.
4. Carefully pop the ice cream out of the molds and serve it to your pup!

Source: PawLeaks

5. Dog-Friendly Ice Cream Sundae Recipe With A Crunch On Top

I love this recipe for the blend of textures and flavors that my pup loves. This creamy “ice cream” topped with a homemade granola crunch is a fantastic vegan option for you and your dog. You just may want to leave the dog treats out of your serving — unless you’re feeling adventurous!

Ingredients

Granola Topping:

• 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon shredded coconut
• 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts
• 1/4 cup roughly chopped Wild Earth vegan dog treats
  • come in strawberry & beet, banana & cinnamon, and peanut butter flavors

Ice Cream:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 tablespoon coconut milk (or water)
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Instructions

Granola Topping:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the coconut oil.
2. Add oats, shredded coconut, and chopped peanuts.
3. Toast for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
4. Remove from heat and let cool.
5. Stir in crumbled Wild Earth Dog Treats.
6. Store the granola in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Banana “Ice Cream”:

1. Let the frozen bananas sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly.
2. Add bananas and the remaining ingredients to a food processor. Blend until creamy and smooth.
3. Scoop into a bowl. (We served half and saved the rest for later!)
4. Top with the homemade granola and any other dog-safe toppings your pup loves.
5. Serve right away and enjoy the tail wags!

Source: Sweet Simple Vegan

6. Non-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream For Dogs

Chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains caffeine and theobromine — two compounds that their bodies can’t process well. Carob, on the other hand, is a safe alternative. It looks and tastes similar to chocolate but doesn’t contain either of those harmful substances, making it dog-friendly.

Ingredients

• 12 oz. low-fat, plain yogurt
• 1/3 cup unsweetened carob chips
• 1 tablespoon raw honey

Instructions

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until they are combined well.
2. Pour the mixture into a mold, ice tray, or cupcake liners and freeze until solid.
3. Take them out and serve.

Source: Waggle

7. Watermelon Ice Cream For Dogs

This two-ingredient simple dog ice cream recipe is so easy to make and will be a big hit with your pup. Watermelon is packed with nutrients, fiber, and water, so it makes an excellent frozen dog treat for summer to help keep your pup hydrated.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups watermelon
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt (you can substitute with coconut milk for a dairy-free option)

Instructions

1. Dice the watermelon, remove the seeds, and freeze for at least four hours or overnight.
2. Place the watermelon and yogurt into a blender and blend to your desired consistency(you can add more melon or yogurt to get the consistency you want).
3. Scoop your doggie ice cream into a bowl and watch your pup lick it clean.

Source: Hunter & June

8. Very Berry Sorbet For Dogs

This sorbet is a simple and healthy option for dogs that are sensitive to dairy. Dogs love fruit, so these will be a puppy pleaser for sure.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed frozen blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries
• 1/2 cup cold water

Instructions

1. Add the berries and half of the water to a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Gradually add more water as needed to reach your preferred consistency.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Source: Rover

Dog-Friendly Ice Cream Cone Recipe

If you really want to indulge your furry friend, you can make a homemade ice cream cone to complement your pup-friendly ice cream. Dog-friendly waffle cones are easy to make.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup oat flour
• 3 tablespoons water
• Sprinkle cinnamon
• Drizzle raw honey

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients in a bowl and mix well
2. Place your mixture in a frying pan on medium heat (like you would when making pancakes)
3. Let them cool briefly, and then roll them into the shape of a waffle cone
4. Cool them in the fridge until ready to serve your pup ice cream!

Want To Skip The Homemade Dog Ice Cream?

If you don’t feel like breaking out the blender, you can always stock up on store-bought options that are safe for dogs. See our reviews of the best ice cream for dogs, including ready-to-eat and mix-and-freeze options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pup owners have a lot of questions about what’s safe to feed their dogs and what’s not. Here are a few we see regularly when it comes to ice cream for dogs. If you don’t see yours here, please ask us in our comments.

Can Dogs Eat Whipped Cream?

Ever treat your pup to a Starbucks puppuccino? It’s just a small cup of whipped cream — and yes, plain whipped cream is safe for most dogs in moderation. But before you share your own at home, keep these tips in mind:

• Skip it if your dog has dairy sensitivities, pancreatitis, or weight issues.
• Watch out for sugar-free versions—some contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

What Are Some Good Dog-Friendly Ice Cream Toppings?

Fresh or frozen fruit bits make for easy and healthy toppings that your pup will enjoy. Even though it may seem gross to us, you can also sprinkle a few dog training treats or low-calorie dog treats on top for a bit of crunchy fun.

Can Dogs Have Human Ice Cream Cones?

While plain ice cream cones aren’t toxic for dogs, they’re high in sugar and fat, which can lead to health problems. Sugar-free ice cream cones are generally safe as long as they don’t contain xylitol. It’s best to serve your pup dog-friendly ice cream in a cup.

Keep It Safe: DIY Dog Treats & Meals

You can swap in your pup’s favorite healthy snacks when making homemade treats or food but always double-check which human foods aren’t safe for dogs. Whether you’re whipping up other frozen dog treats, organic treats, or homemade dog food, stick to fresh, dog-safe ingredients.