- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Dogs love frozen treats when the temperature rises, and this doggy ice cream is as healthy as can be. ‘Healthy’ and ‘ice cream’ in the same sentence? You read that right. This two-ingredient recipe uses just cantaloupe and yogurt, but you can substitute any melon and any milk-type product your dog likes (and can tolerate).
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Dog-Friendly Cantaloupe Ice Cream
- Prep Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 28 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Summer Sweets
Ingredients
- 2 cups (300g) frozen ripe cantaloupe
- 2 tbsp unsweetened yogurt
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
- Freezer
Instructions
- Make sure you have space for your cantaloupe in the freezer.
- Scrub the outside of the cantaloupe thoroughly.
- Slice the melon in half and remove seeds.
- Slice each half into quarters and remove rind, then dice the fruit into bite-sized chunks.
- Place cut melon in the freezer. The more space around your melon chunks, the faster they will freeze, so if you’re in a rush, place pieces on a baking sheet to speed things up.
- When completely frozen (2-4 hours or overnight), place about 2 cups (300g) of melon pieces into the food processor.
- Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened yogurt.
- Blend until combined, adding a little cool water if needed to blend to your preferred consistency.
Serving suggestions: Top your dog’s kibble with a few tablespoons, serve as part of dinner (replacing some of the usual food), or freeze into paw-shaped pops for the ultimate in homemade frozen dog treat goodness. We love these super-affordable dog-safe silicone molds.
Notes
If your dog is lactose intolerant, you can skip the yogurt, though it does change the consistency. A little peanut butter can work instead.
Tasting Notes
Bea says ice cream is very delicious.
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This recipe tastes great to humans, too! Take it to the next level with a drizzle of honey and a mint sprig.
Dogs and Dairy
Just like humans, some dogs are incapable of digesting lactose, a sugar found in dairy. Also as in humans, lactose intolerance in dogs can be very mild or severe. Trust us, if your dog can’t tolerate dairy, you’ll know. It manifests in the form of stomach upset, stinky gas, and well, did we mention stinky gas?
However, a true dairy allergy is rare in dogs. The researchers at the Tufts Veterinary Medical Center explain the difference here. That’s when your dog reacts to the proteins in the dairy, rather than the lactose, and the symptoms manifest differently—most often as dry, itchy skin. Consult with your vet if you have concerns about your dog’s reaction to dairy.
Do make sure to avoid giving your dog sweetened dairy products, especially anything with artificial sweeteners. Generally speaking, low-fat options are easier to digest, too. We like plain Greek yogurt for dogs in particular thanks to its high protein content.
More Great Homemade Dog Treats
Going homemade is easier than you’d think, and often more affordable. Plus, you’ll rest assured knowing you’re providing your dog the most wholesome options free of scary fillers. Dogs, like humans, thrive on whole foods.
Check out our full roundup of dog ice cream recipes here, to start!
Learn more about Chef Kiki here and find tons of homemade dog treat recipes at her YouTube channel, Kiki’s Canine Kitchen.
