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Frozen dog treats, such as a stuffed Kong, a lick mat, or a slow feed bowl, are an excellent way to keep your dog occupied and mentally stimulated, whether it’s the height of summer, a rainy day, or just when you need a break.
Licking is also a calming act for dogs, making frozen lick bowls useful during stressful situations like a thunderstorm.
And by making these lick bowls yourself, you know exactly what is in them, instead of some mystery treat from the grocery store.
In this guide:
- What is a frozen dog enrichment bowl?
- Perks of frozen dog bowls
- How to make frozen treats for dogs
- Frozen dog treat recipes
- Want more frozen treat ideas?
Slow-Feeder & Water Bowl Set by The Dog Tale
- Dishwasher, microwave, and freezer-safe silicone, so cleanup is easy
- Slow down your dog's eating to improve digestion
- Slow-feed bowl doubles as a frozen lick mat
- Suction cups help keep your dog's bowls in place on hard floors.
- Pair with our matching placemat
What is a frozen dog enrichment bowl?
An enrichment bowl is a frozen dog bowl treat. It can be as simple as freezing your dog’s kibble in water. Or you could make a layered masterpiece of bone broth, shredded meat, and peanut butter. This long-lasting treat won’t just keep your dog occupied for an extended period. It will also calm and mentally stimulate them, helping to keep them well behaved later in the day.
Your dog can enjoy this treat inside or outside, but it will melt faster outside in the sun. If you offer a frozen treat indoors, use a silicone dog mat, tray, or pan to catch the mess.
Perks of frozen dog bowls
- Long-lasting mental stimulation
- Helps keep dogs cool
- Calming aid during stressful events
- Healthy alternative to store-bought treats
- Increases hydration
How to make frozen treats for dogs
As I said earlier, frozen treats for dogs can be as simple as freezing their kibble in some dog-safe broth or water. Tk tk tk tk
Supplies
- Base liquid
This is the base in which the toppings will be frozen. You can use just water, but a mixture of water and another ingredient (like unsweetened Greek yogurt, goat milk, pumpkin puree, or bone broth made without onions) is even better. I like to use this bone broth recipe for dogs. I recommend keeping this ingredient low in calorie content, as it is too easy to over-feed your dog with a large frozen treat.
For a Pinterest-worthy look, use a variety of ingredients and freeze them in stages, allowing time to freeze between ingredients for a pretty layered look (that your dog won’t give a crap about but you’ll adore).
- The toppings
These are the enticing bits that will keep your pup licking! What foods does your dog love? Choose from healthy options like carrots, bananas, blueberries, green beans, or rich treats like blobs of peanut butter, kibble, or pieces of shredded chicken. For an extra dose of deliciousness, consider adding a smear of greek yogurt, peanut butter, pumpkin or another yummy spread to the bottom of the dish and dropping the topping pieces into the spread.
- Freezer-safe container
You’ll need a medium to large container that won’t break during freezing. I recommend using a silicone slow-feeder bowl, since this is freezer safe and will present your dog with a unique challenge when licking the treat. But you can also use a wide plastic food storage container or plastic bowl. Just be sure to leave enough room for the liquid base to expand when frozen!
Assembly
- Layer with toppings
You want to disburse the toppings throughout the treat to keep your dog licking. If you use a normal bowl and plan to pop the frozen treat out before giving it to your dog, then whatever you put at the bottom of the container will be at the top of the ice treat. If you plan to use a slow-feeder bowl and won’t be popping the treat out, then whatever you put in the bottom will stay in the bottom.
A thin layer of peanut butter in yogurt, a few training treats, sliced banana, or a few pieces of kibble work great. - Add the liquid base
Gently pour your chosen liquid over top of the treats. If you want, you can only pour a thin layer to freeze those toppings in place, then repeat this step as many times as you want to create layers and a variety of flavors. - Freeze solid
When you have your layered masterpiece assembled, gently place the container flat in the freezer until completely frozen, a few hours at minimum to overnight. If you’ve chosen a slow-feed bowl, you can simply remove it and serve. If you want to remove it from a normal container or bowl, turn the container upside down, holding your hand under the opening of the container. Run warm water over the bottom and sides of the container until the treat slides out into your hand. Place the ice lick on a food mat and serve.
Frozen dog treat recipes
There are so many fun combinations to use when making frozen dog bowl treats. Experiment and see what creative treats you come up with! Always double check that the ingredients you plan to use are safe for dogs. Avoid ingredients like onions, chocolate, xylitol (“birch sugar”), and grapes.
I’ve included my favorite, dog-tested recipes below. My dog is picky and will pick out pieces of many fruits and vegetables. I have found that pureeing the ingredients keeps him interested, but your dog may be less picky than mine!
Banana Nut Bliss
This recipe makes for a great snack in-between meals. Not too many calories, but rich enough in flavor to be a real treat! I use small amounts since I have a tiny little Yorkie, but you’ll need to multiply the measurements if you’re serving a larger dog like a Lab.
Ingredients:
- 1–2 tsp peanut butter (use less for small dogs)
- ¼–½ banana (depending on your dog’s size. If you want to use the full banana, just prepare multiple treats!)
- Water (or a dog friendly milk alternative like oat milk)
- 1 Tbsp carob powder (NOT cacao or cocoa powder, which are toxic to dogs!)
Smash about a ¼ banana. Mix with 1 teaspoon peanut butter. Stir in some water to make a thinner consistency. Pour this into the bottom of the container. Freeze until mostly solid.
Stir about 1 cup water with 1 tablespoon of carob powder (not cocoa or cacao powder). Pour into the container and fill to desired level. If desired, alternate between banana/peanut butter and carob powder, freezing in between layers. Freeze the finished product until firm (at least 3 hours).
If you don’t have carob powder on hand, you can substitute the base with another healthy ingredient like pumpkin, oat milk, or even dog-safe bone broth.
Calories:
- ¼ banana = 26 calories
- 1 tsp peanut butter = 31 calories
- 1 TBSP carob powder = 13 calories
This snack provides roughly 70 calories.
Chill ‘n’ Chew Chicken Pop
Got a hungry pup? Try this recipe for a dog who needs some protein before he goes to bed.
Ingredients:
- Dog-safe bone broth or chicken broth (chilled or room temperature)
- ¼ cup bite-sized pieces of chicken or ground beef
- ¼ cup diced vegetables, such as zucchini, cucumber, green beans, sweet potato, or carrots
Layer a small amount of chicken pieces and vegetables on the bottom of the container. Pour the broth over the pieces until they are covered. Freeze until mostly solid. Repeat layers of chicken and veggies in the broth until you have reached the desired amount. Freezing in layers will help evenly distribute food pieces and prevent all of them from sinking to the bottom of the container.
Calories:
- ¼ cup cooked chicken = 80 calories
- ¼ cup of cooked veggies = approximately 30 calories
- This snack provides roughly 110 calories.
Fruity Pawsicle
This lick bowl keeps calories low while being extra hydrating. It’s perfect for a hot summer day!
Ingredients:
- ½ to 1 cup fresh fruit (such as apple, bananas, berries, melon, and pineapple. No grapes!)
- Water (try mixing with an unsweetened yogurt, or milk alternative such as unsweetened oat milk)
Cut fruit into small, bite-size pieces. Layer a small amount of fruit on the bottom of the container. Pour the water mix over the pieces until they are covered. Freeze until mostly solid. Repeat layers of fruit in the water until you have reached the desired amount. Freezing in layers will help evenly distribute fruit pieces and prevent all of them from sinking to the bottom of the container.
Calories:
- 1 cup of fresh fruit = approx. 90 calories
- This snack provides roughly 90 calories.
Lite ‘n’ Icy Treat
Tasty yet low in calories, the flavorful bone broth will keep them licking!
Ingredients:
- Bone broth (Dog-friendly recipe)
- Favorite water-tolerant dog toy, such as a small Kong.
- Water
Pour a small amount of bone broth and water into the bottom of the bowl and freeze it. Once frozen, Add a favorite no-calorie toy to the container. Fill the container all the way to the desired level with half water and half bone broth. Freeze until frozen solid.
If your dog needs more encouragement, try adding a few training treats, kibble, or other low-calorie fruit to a layer of this lick bowl.
Calories:
- ½ cup bone broth = 40 calories
- This snack provides roughly 40 calories.
Want more frozen treat ideas?
Check out these Frozen Kong recipes. They’ll keep your dog entertained while providing a delicious and healthy treat!
