Okay, when the sun decides to absolutely roast the backyard and my little shadow, Buster, is panting by the back door, I know exactly what time it is: time for frozen dog treats! Forget those expensive store-bought options; we’re making the easiest, most refreshing snack imaginable. This Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs recipe literally needs three things, and you probably have them right now. I remember the first time I made these; Buster nearly knocked over the kitchen chair trying to get his paws on the tray before it was even solid! They are a guaranteed hit, packed with goodness, and so simple I can whip them up even when I’m totally wiped out.
Why This Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs is a Summer Favorite
Honestly, I keep a batch of these at all times now. They are just spectacular for a quick cool-down. When you’re looking for a low-fuss treat that actually supports their health, you can’t beat it. My guy is obsessed!
- It’s unbelievably simple; only three ingredients stand between you and happy tail wags.
- Strawberries mean real fruit vitamins, and we use yogurt for happy tummies—we skip all that gross artificial stuff you find elsewhere.
- They are perfect for cooling down big dogs or little dogs alike on a scorching afternoon.
- Looking for low-fat options? You can definitely check out the low-fat dog treats trends we’ve been following for more ideas too!
Gathering Ingredients for Your Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs
This is where we keep things wonderfully easy! Remember, when it comes to snacks for our furry friends, keeping the ingredient list short and sweet is always my goal. Fewer things mean fewer chances for tummy upsets, right?
You only need three things for the base recipe. First up, grab about a cup of strawberries. Make sure they are nice and hulled, whether you use fresh ones or just grab a bag from the freezer section—either way works great.
Next, you need the cooling, creamy base: one full cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt. I usually stick with Greek yogurt because it’s a bit thicker, but regular works just fine too. Now, listen up, this is SUPER important for E-E-A-T safety: never, ever use yogurt that contains xylitol or any added sugars for your pup—it’s toxic!
Finally, for blendability, we add about a quarter cup of liquid. I default to plain water, but if Buster needs a little extra savory flavor boost, I’ll use low-sodium chicken broth instead. Seriously, that’s it! If you’re experimenting later, you can see how strawberry banana frozen dog treats work, but stick to these basics first!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs
Okay, now we get to the fun part where everything comes together in about five minutes flat! Since we aren’t baking anything, this is just assembly time, which is my favorite kind of recipe. Don’t worry if your blender isn’t super high-powered; this mix blends beautifully.
- First thing’s first: get all those ingredients—the hulled strawberries, the yogurt, and your water or broth—right into the blender jar.
- Hit that blend button! We are looking for something totally smooth, like a perfect, thick milkshake. If it looks like it’s struggling to move in the blender, just splash in another tiny bit of water until it swirls freely. You really want that smooth pourable consistency for your Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs.
- Next, grab your ice cube trays or those cute little silicone molds—I love using fun shapes when I can! Carefully pour the strawberry mixture into each spot. Try not to overfill them, though, because frozen yogurt tends to expand just a hair.
- Now comes the hardest part: waiting! Tuck that tray carefully into the freezer. You need at least four hours for them to get truly solid. I usually mix these up right after dinner so they are ready by lunchtime the next day. Check out some other pupsicle recipes if you want variety for future batches!
- When you’re ready to serve, here’s my pro tip: If you used hard plastic trays, run the bottom of the tray under warm water for just five seconds. This little trick releases the frozen treat instantly! If you used silicone molds, just pop them out gently. We learned the hard way last summer that trying to pry them out with a knife just leads to sad, broken bits! Using silicone molds often makes this easier overall, too. Serve immediately and watch the happy dances begin!
Ingredient Notes and Safe Substitutions for Your Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs
I always get questions about substitutions—it’s smart to check what else you can use in a recipe, especially when making things specifically for your dog! The main thing here is safety, trust me on this one.
Let’s talk yogurt again. Please, please triple-check that container before you scoop. If there is *any* chance it contains xylitol (that artificial sweetener), throw it out immediately. That’s non-negotiable for our dogs’ health! If you’re out of your usual yogurt, you could look into using plain kefir, but you might need to cut back slightly on that added liquid.
For the liquid component, water is perfectly fine, it just keeps things very neutral. But if you use low-sodium chicken broth, wow, the flavor boost is huge, and they seem to love it even more! Also, don’t fret about fresh versus frozen strawberries. Frozen ones are actually fantastic because they help chill the mix down faster, leading to a quicker freeze time overall. If you’re curious about other strawberry pairings, my recipe for strawberry banana honey drops for dogs is another winner!
Tips for Perfecting Your Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs
I’ve made so many batches of these pupsicles that I’ve picked up a few little tricks that take them from good to absolute showstoppers for Buster. You want that perfect texture, right? Not rock-hard, but definitely not melting into a sticky puddle in two seconds!
My number one tip involves the mold shape. While standard ice cube trays work, using wider, flatter silicone molds instead of deep cubes helps them thaw just a little slower once they are served. This means your dog gets a longer cool-down time before you have to worry about a mess!
Speaking of temperature, if you pull them straight from a deep freeze after 24 hours, they can be almost too hard—go easy on your pup’s teeth! Let the tray sit on the counter for about five minutes before trying to release them so they soften just slightly. If you want to get fancy, try swapping out some of the strawberries for blueberries for a different color pop! You can see how I do fruit sticks in my recipe for strawberry oat smoothie sticks for dogs, which uses a similar chilling technique.
Also, don’t skip the optional broth swap! That tiny bit of savory chicken flavor really cuts through the sweetness of the strawberry if your dog isn’t huge on fruit flavors alone. Trust me, they’ll never know the difference, but they will definitely appreciate the flavor complexity!
Storage and Serving Suggestions for the Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs
Once you’ve got your beautiful tray of frozen delights, you have to store them right so they last! If you’re not serving them all right away, move them from the ice cube trays into an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. I always try to get the air out of the bag before sealing it up tight. Honestly, they stay perfectly fantastic for at least a couple of weeks, maybe longer, but mine never last that long!
When serving, you always need to think about your dog’s size, right? For my medium-sized guy, maybe two pupsicles are fine as a nice afternoon refreshment. But for tiny pups, one cube might be a perfect serving size. And remember that tip about them being rock-hard right out of the deep freeze? If you pull one out and it’s stubbornly solid, just let it sit on the counter for maybe two minutes, or briefly dip the mold bottom in some lukewarm water. You want them cool and refreshing, not a potential tooth chip! If you want inspiration for other fun shapes, you must see my recipe for watermelon blueberry swirl bites for dogs; they use a different mold but the storage concept is the same.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs
I get so many questions after people try this recipe—it’s just that popular! It’s great that everyone is thinking about keeping their pups cool and safe when making these homemade frozen dog treats. Here are a few things I hear most often!
Can I use other fruits besides strawberries in this pupsicle recipe?
Oh yes, absolutely! That’s the beauty of this base recipe. You can totally swap the strawberries for other dog-safe fruits like blueberries or banana slices. If you use something much denser, like mango, you might need to add an extra splash of water or broth just so it blends smoothly enough for the molds. For another great fruit flavor, check out my mango strawberry frozen dog treats for an idea!
Is this Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs safe for puppies?
For most healthy adult puppies aged over 12 weeks, yes, these are perfectly safe! The yogurt gives their little tummies beneficial probiotics. The only word of caution is portion size. Since they are frozen solid, make sure you let a puppy lick only a small piece off at a time so they don’t try to swallow a chunk that’s too big!
What is the best way to store leftover Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs?
If you somehow manage to have leftovers—which I doubt!—the best spot is deep in the freezer. Store them in a sturdy, airtight freezer bag. Make sure they are completely frozen solid before bagging them and try to use them within a month for the best taste, though they stay safe much longer if sealed well!
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for One Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs
Since we are using simple, whole ingredients, I love that I can see exactly what Buster is munching on! These numbers are just estimates since it makes 12 pupsicles, so divide all the totals by 12 to see what one little frozen dog treat provides him.
Keep in mind that the final exact counts really depend on whether you use high-fat Greek yogurt or regular, or if you used broth instead of water. But generally, our Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs is low in calories and fat!
- Calories: Around 50 per treat
- Protein: About 4g
- Fat: Just 1g
- Sugar: Roughly 5g (all naturally occurring from the fruit and yogurt!)
Share Your Frozen Dog Treat Creations
Well, that’s truly all there is to making these super simple summer refreshers! I hope you and your furry best friend enjoy these as much as Buster and I do. There’s nothing better than seeing them happily licking away at a healthy, homemade snack!
I absolutely love getting updates from you guys when you make one of my recipes. If you pulled off a perfect batch of this Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs, please drop a rating below so other dog parents know they can trust this recipe—it helps so much!
And if you snapped a picture of your dog looking blissfully happy while enjoying one, please share it! Tag me on social media when you post it; I always make sure to check out your gorgeous pups. Seeing your success stories keeps me excited to share more practical, fun recipes like this one. If you’re looking for even more behind-the-scenes kitchen chaos or more dog treat adventures, swing by the main blog page—you never know what we’re whipping up next!
Strawberry Pupsicle for Dogs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the strawberries, yogurt, and water (or broth) into a blender or food processor.
- Blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a small amount more water or broth until it reaches a pourable consistency.
- Carefully pour the mixture into your ice cube tray or silicone molds.
- Place the tray or molds in the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until completely solid.
- To serve, briefly run the bottom of the mold under warm water to help release the pupsicle. Give this treat to your dog.
