5 Delicious DIY Dog Treat Recipes For Summer

Updated on 8/26/2016 at 12:30 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff

It's hot, you're eating an ice cream cone — why should your dog miss out? If your pooch is giving you puppy-dog eyes every time you're sampling a refreshing Summer treat, these recipes are for you.

Sadly, our dogs shouldn't eat human ice cream, or not much of it. Dogs need to avoid sugar, for starters. But there are plenty of tasty, wholesome, dog-friendly ingredients you can use to create DIY freezer concoctions for your pet. From slushies to doggy ice cream, ice licks to pupsicles, these are some of our favorites from around the Rover.com office. Bonus: they couldn't be easier to make!

Health tip: experts agree that no more than 10 percent of a dog's calories should come from treats, so keep that in mind when you're dishing out these goodies. Also, before you get creative with ingredients, make sure to avoid anything that might be dangerous for dogs (see a list here).

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Slushies

Peanut butter is an age-old dog favorite, and it's got plenty of healthy fats and protein for your pup. Pumpkin is another dog-friendly ingredient that helps with overall digestive health. This recipe is a great choice for dogs that are sensitive to dairy.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup peanut butter (be sure to avoid sweeteners, especially xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs)
1/4 cup plain, unsweetened pumpkin puree
Water or low-sodium chicken broth

Directions:
Blend all ingredients, adding the chosen liquid until reaching desired consistency. Serve up immediately, or pour into ice cube trays to freeze for later. Pawprint or doggy bone silicone molds take the form factor to the next level.

Blueberry Crumble Ice Cream

Packed with antioxidants, in-season blueberries are a fabulous choice for fruit-loving dogs. Banana adds natural sweetness, while plain yogurt and fiber-rich oats round out this luscious ice cream that you both might enjoy. Just be sure that your dog can handle dairy.

Ingredients:

1 15-oz. can pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
1 banana
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup oats

Directions:
Blend all ingredients to a smooth mixture. Spoon into small popsicle molds, top with a rawhide or pretzel, and freeze. Ice cube trays also work well. You'll need at least two standard-size trays for this recipe!

Gus's Summertime Frozen Yogurt Pupsicles

Gus the Boston Terrier is a beloved fixture around the Rover office. He's also our resident doggy chef, and he's more than happy to recommend these pupsicles for your pet. Healthy, seasonal berries, banana, and yogurt combine in a refreshing treat perfect for lazy Summer afternoons. If you want to see Gus making this recipe, check out the adorable video.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup whole blueberries
1 cup chopped strawberries
1/2 banana thinly sliced
1 cup plain yogurt
1 pretzel stick per pupsicle

Directions:
Combine all ingredients until mixed. Pour into molds and add pretzel stick. Freeze for at least 4 to 5 hours before serving.

For a dairy-free version of the pupsicles, simply swap out the plain yogurt for a different thickener: peanut butter, pumpkin, or more banana (with added liquid) work well.

Classic Ice Lick

This fun twist on a freezer treat involves toys. It's sure to keep your dog hydrated AND busy, as he or she works to find the goodies frozen inside. This flexible recipe requires very little besides water and dog toys or treats, though you can make it fancier as desired.

Ingredients:

A freezer-safe bowl, bucket, or pan
Chew toys and/or favorite dog treats
Water, which you can flavor with low-sodium broth, or try blending in some yogurt or peanut butter for additional calories.

Direction:
Simply place the treats or toys in the container, add liquid, and freeze. It may take several hours, depending on the size. It may take a bit of hot water to help loosen it from the sides of the container and let your dog lick away. Summer, conquered.

Incredibly Simple Frozen Watermelon Bites

Dogs love watermelon, and why not? It's a wholesome, refreshing treat that has the added benefit of keeping our pets hydrated, thanks to the high H2O content. Combined with honey, this supereasy treat is also a real people-pleaser.

Ingredients:

4 cups watermelon, seeded and peeled
1/2 cup honey (optional)
Additional water as needed

Directions:
Simply blend these ingredients and freeze in ice cube trays or popsicle molds. Extra points for using a dog-shaped mold!