July 17 is National Ice Cream Day!

Ice cream is a perfect treat anytime, but especially for these super hot Houston summer days! While we don't actually need a special day to celebrate the wonderful invention of ice cream, it's still nice to have an excuse.


If you're a dog owner, then you probably already have a suspicion that your dog loves ice cream too! But you need to be careful...human ice cream has way too much sugar - and sometimes sugar substitutes like xylitol - which can be harmful and toxic to dogs. Plus, some dogs are lactose intolerant! Even ice cream cones aren't a good treat for dogs because of the sugar content. So what all this means is that it's better (and more fun) to make your own ice cream!


A pink ice cream cone held up with a fluffy white dog in the background.
A dachshund sniffing a pink ice cream cone while lying in green grass.
A dog eagerly licks a pink ice cream cone held by a hand.
A gray and white pit bull enjoying a pink ice cream cone in a garden.
A tan pit bull licking a pink ice cream cone against green grass.

Winston's Peanut Butter Delight


  •  1 banana
  • 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (check the label to make sure there’s no xylitol)
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  •  1 large container of yogurt


DIRECTIONS:

Mix everything together until smoothie consistency. Pour into molds or an ice cube tray and freeze!


Dog Friendly Ice Cream Recipe

Harriet's Pumpkin Pops


  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup non-fat unsweetened yogurt (substitute coconut milk or coconut yogurt for dogs who can’t digest milk)
  • dash of cinnamon
  • splash of maple syrup


Directions:

Spoon pumpkin puree into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid, In a bowl or a food processor, mix together frozen pumpkin, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Add about half the yogurt, and pulse until combined. Keep adding yogurt and water until you get a consistency you like then serve!

Dog eating ice cream

Toby's Awesome Frozen Avocado Treats


  • 3 avocados
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice


Directions:

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Pour into a freezer-safe container. or ice cube tray and freeze until solid.

Dachshund eating ice cream