Loving dog owners love to treat their pet to a little treat every now and then. Just as the master is into sweet and chocolatey temptations, their own dog should also get something to sip on. So ice cream for the dog? It’s not quite that simple, because your beloved four-legged friend should not get “real” ice cream. But special dog ice cream could be a sporadic change for him. Here you can find out everything about dog ice cream – how to make it and how often you can feed it to your dog.

Do Dogs Like Ice Cream?

Do dogs like cold ice cream at all? This question has to be answered individually. But one thing is certain: when it gets really hot and humid in the summer, your dog will also be looking to cool down. If you want to come up with more than just a bowl of cool water, you can dare to make dog ice cream. As a varied snack this can be fed now and then – in moderation! – and give the dog a previously unknown taste experience. Basically, your dog should not eat too much cold food, because this can damage his stomach. Therefore, first try to find out whether your four-legged friend likes to lick ice cream at all. If so, stick to feeding ice cream only rarely as a special treat.

Make Your Own Dog Ice Cream – The Most Important Facts In A Nutshell

• Ice cold food can cause stomach problems for dogs.
• Dogs are not allowed to eat ordinary ice cream.
• Feed dog ice cream only sporadically and not regularly.
• Make your ice cream for dogs from dog-friendly ingredients.

How Harmful Is Ordinary Ice Cream?

Regular ice cream, which is actually meant for humans, should not be fed to dogs. While no dog will be harmed by licking your ice cream scoop once, it’s still not healthy. Sugar, sweeteners, emulsifiers and other fillers are hard on a dog’s stomach in the long run. Therefore, avoid feeding sweet snacks.

By the way, special care should be taken with xylitol, an ingredient that is harmful to dogs. The popular sugar substitute can be digested by humans without any problems and is even said to help prevent tooth decay. Dogs, however, cannot metabolize it. Even comparatively small amounts can lead to organ failure and thus death. So if you have ice cream with xylitol at home, make sure that your dog does not get any. If this does happen, contact your vet immediately and put sugar in the dog’s mouth as an immediate measure.

Ingredients – What Actually Goes Into An Ice Cream For Dogs?

What actually goes into a really tasty dog ice cream? The selection of potential ingredients is basically large and depends, among other things, on the preferences and intolerances of your dog. In principle, everything that your four-legged friend likes to eat at room temperature can also be frozen.

For example, you can simply put a treat or a piece of dry food with water into an ice cube mold. Your dog will then get a water ice cube with a piece of delicious smelling dog food in the middle.

Dog Ice Cream Recipe – Sweet Or Savory?

The perfect dog ice cream can be both sweet and savory. Savoury versions often include treats, liverwurst or dry food. However, in small amounts, pieces of fruit, yogurt or cottage cheese can also be fed.

You should be careful with dairy products, though. Some dogs can tolerate these in small quantities, others not at all. Start here with very small amounts in the dog ice cream recipe to find out how the stomach of your pelt nose reacts. If dairy products lead to intolerances, you can also try substitute products – for example, from soy, coconut or cereals. Here it is important to develop a feeling for the sensitivities of your favorite.

Make Your Own Tasty Dog Ice Cream – Inspiration

Mix Ice Cubes Into The Food

To start with, you can first try out on hot days whether your dog likes ice at all. Just add a few ordinary ice cubes to the dog food. Does your dog lick it enthusiastically or even chew the icy lumps? Great, then you can let off steam in the future with other ice creations for your faithful friend.

Freeze Your Favorite Wet Food

Another simple dog ice cream recipe is to freeze wet food. To make it a little easier to process, you can mix it with water – even puree it if necessary. Then press the mixture into ice cube molds and put them in the freezer. Soon your woof will be able to lick at his wet food ice cubes.

Ice Cream For Dogs With Fruit

Fresh ingredients also enhance your personal dog ice cream recipe. How about fresh fruit, for example? Berries, banana, apple or melon are very popular. Make sure that no seeds or parts of them end up in the ice cream. In the worst case, this can lead to poisoning.
You can either freeze fruit in pieces or, if necessary, mix it with water and puree it.

Yogurt, Quark And Cream

Dairy products also go well with delicious fruit – in small quantities. You can try yogurt, quark, (sour) cream or cottage cheese. Remember to dilute with water if the consistency is too firm. If you don’t want to use dairy products, try coconut milk, coconut yogurt or products made from soy and oats. Keep in mind with both dairy and substitute products that the fat content in the dog ice cream recipe should be kept within limits.

Make Your Own Dog Ice Cream From Liver Sausage

You don’t have a sensitive nose and no problem pureeing meat with a blender? Then treat your furry nose to ice cream made from liverwurst. Even if the human nose will probably be less enthusiastic, you make dogs a great pleasure. Simply puree liver sausage – mixed with water if necessary – and fill the mixture into a cube mold. The ice cream for dogs made of liver sausage is ready.

Freeze Toys?

Your dog loves his toys? Then consider freezing one of them. Your four-legged friend can then lick his ice cream and find one of his favorite toys inside. The toy used should not be too small, so that your dog recognizes it clearly and does not eat it by mistake.

Food, Which May Not Be In Any Case In An Ice Cream For Dogs

Even though there are few limits to your creativity in making ice cream for dogs, there are some foods you should avoid at all costs. The following foods are toxic to dogs and should not be in ice cream:

• Grapes and raisins.
• All foods with oxalic acid (e.g. spinach, chard).
• Products containing cocoa (e.g. chocolate).
• Raw nightshade plants (e.g. tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes).
• Seeds of stone fruits (e.g. peaches, apricots, plums).
• Raw eggs -> salmonella risk.
• Avocado.
• Products containing caffeine.
• Xylitol.

As a rule, the above foods lead to symptoms of poisoning. However, some of them can also be fatal. If your dog has eaten something poisonous, it is best to go to the vet immediately. This also applies if you don’t know what he ate, but you notice symptoms of poisoning.

Buy Dog Ice Cream

Is it too complicated for you to make your own? You do not want to make your own dog ice cream? Then just buy your ice cream for dogs. In the meantime, you can even have luck with it in the trade – for example, in pet stores or sometimes even in ice cream parlors. In the online trade you will find the special ice cream with great certainty. However, the transport here is somewhat cumbersome, because the cold chain must not be interrupted.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Ice Cream

Can Dogs Eat Ordinary Ice Cream?

No, dogs should not eat regular ice cream because of the sweeteners, fats and additives used in it. Rather, store a small supply of dog ice cream in the freezer and access it there when needed.

How Often Can A Dog Be Fed Dog Ice Cream?

Feeding dog ice cream should not become a regular occurrence. Only give your four-legged friend a dog ice cream once in a while.

Is Ice Cream Healthy For Dogs?

Ice cream, or very cold food, can cause stomach upsets in your dog. If your four-legged friend is sensitive, thaw the dog ice cream before you feed it.

Which Oil Do You Use To Make Your Own Dog Ice Cream?

Use high-quality vegetable and animal oils. Fish oil, rapeseed oil, hemp oil, linseed oil or coconut oil are particularly suitable. However, be careful not to add too much oil. The rule of thumb is one teaspoon per 10 kg of weight.

Should Cooked Or Raw Ingredients Go Into Dog Ice Cream?

You can use both cooked and raw, cold-pressed food in dog ice cream. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, cooked food is often better tolerated. Rice and cereals, for example, are suitable cooked ingredients.

Can Dairy Products Such As Yogurt Be Added To Dog Ice Cream?

Yes, in small quantities and after you have tested their tolerance beforehand. Only natural products without added sugar may be used.