It’s Dog Week on THIH! In honor of National Dog Day, this week’s posts will celebrate our canine companions.
We’ll begin with a homemade frozen dog treat with only three ingredients: yogurt, peanut butter and banana. I was inspired to create these treats after finding frozen treats at a pet store for $1 a pop. A quick gander at the ingredient list revealed yogurt, peanut butter, sweeteners and added flavor. Instantly, I determined two things:
(1) I can do better for less money.
(2) I’m really in the wrong business: I should be selling dog treats for 99 cents each. Because undercutting a tiny niche market is sure to result in success.
Our dogs go crazy for plain yogurt and peanut butter, and based on anecdotal evidence, many dogs love these tastes. Which is why I’m baffled concerning the presence of added flavors and sweeteners in commercial frozen dog treats. There’s absolutely no reason why dogs need sweeteners. I suspect the makers of these treats were catering to human tastes. Me? I prefer our doggies to eat wholesome treats that won’t make them plump.
Edited to add: Always check with your vet before serving homemade treats to your dogs. Some dogs are lactose-intolerant or should stay away from higher-fat foods like peanut butter. It’s best to be safe!
Mixing the ingredients takes a few seconds:
And yes, I did try it. Delicious.
Smoothed into the ice cube tray:
I stuck the dogs’ favorite hard treats into the yogurt mixture like Popsicle sticks. This is fancy stuff, folks.
Allow to freeze for at least two hours before popping them from the ice cube tray. You may need to run a little hot water under the tray to get them out. Alternatively, you can use mini paper cups and peel away the cup before serving. See the recipe at the bottom of this post for complete directions.
The ultimate test is giving these frozen treats to the dogs. What did they think? Well:
That’s what Maddie does when she really, really wants something. I blame the puppy obedience class that taught her how to do “puppy pushups“.
Bonnie came to investigate (and I apparently decided to work on my thigh muscles).
She decided to forgo licking and went straight for chomping.
I think this was the exact moment Maddie went “Oh noes! My treat!”
Despite my “ouch!”, Bonnie calmly accepted her treat and went off to enjoy it in peace.
Never fear, Maddie fans! She went at her own treat with the ferocity of a toothy beaver who’s just discovered the last tree on Earth.
This treat is good for humans, too! Just skip the dog treat stick (unless, you know, you’re an adventurous eater. If that’s the case, I want to meet you.)
Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Treats {for dogs}
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (10 small treats)
- 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 large banana, mashed
- 10 small bone-shaped dog treats (optional)
Instructions
Combine all ingredients. Spoon into ice cube tray or small paper cups. Smooth tops. If desired, push dog treats into yogurt like Popsicle sticks. Freeze for at least two hours. Remove from tray or peel away paper cups. Serve on a hot day.
P.S. Taking a wee nap after such a delicious treat:
P.P.S. Tune in on Wednesday and Friday for more Dog Week Awesomeness!
P.P.P.S. Happy Labor Day! Peter and I are going to watch a parade with some friends and eat doughnuts – yum! Any plans?
Joanne says
September 2, 2013 at 7:37 amI’m always wanting to make homemade treats for my mom’s dog! And she loves peanut butter. Can’t wait to make these for her!
Lucy says
September 2, 2013 at 11:01 amI really want to make these! For myself…most likely without the bone 🙂 Maddie and Bonnie are adorable!
Tara says
September 2, 2013 at 2:13 pmI don’t have a dog but these look so delicious! I’m jealous that your dog eats better snacks than I do. 😉 I’ll have to substitute the dog treat for a graham cracker.
Jessie says
September 3, 2013 at 7:54 amThat’s a great idea! I’ll have to try that for human treats 🙂
Sarah | The Sugar Hit says
September 2, 2013 at 10:21 pmThese are so sweet! I love using those biscuits as popsicle sticks! My puppy would love this.
Sarah says
September 3, 2013 at 6:08 amAs a kid a couple my friends would eat their dog’s treats I think as a dare or see if they could gross friends out at least I think that would be why. They don’t anymore!
Jessie says
September 3, 2013 at 7:55 amThat’s good to hear! 😉
veganmiam.com says
September 3, 2013 at 6:20 amAwwww, what a sweet post dedicated to dogs! <3 I don't like the processed dog treats at the shops, but it's nice to create homemade treats for all dogs/cats/pets. I did not know that dogs would go crazy for peanut butter & yoghurt, but that sounds interesting! Awwww your dogs look so cute, and they look like they love your treats! I don't really have Labor Day plans ;( I hope you had a wonderful one!
Samantha Angela says
September 3, 2013 at 9:26 amSo cute!!
My dog loves peanut butter. I think it’s universal for dogs.
Monet says
September 3, 2013 at 7:15 pmOh my goodness! Margot is in luck! I’m going to be making these ASAP. I love how simple they are…and I have all the ingredients I need. Thank you for sharing Jessie!
John says
November 3, 2013 at 8:12 pmI blend large size non fat vanila yougurt creamy peanut butter and add cleaned carrots sometimes.
I use plastic jellow containers that I save.
Makes 13 to 14
Jessie says
November 4, 2013 at 9:04 amThe carrots are a great idea!
Diane says
March 21, 2014 at 6:14 pmCute idea using the dog bone and the ice cube tray. I feel the same way about the additives and cost so for a while now I have been making dog treats with sugarless peanutbutter with
Local brand of yogurt . I mix them into a small Greek yogurt container and freeze them for my dog. He loves them!!! I was looking on the internet to see if this is good for him and your recipe came up. Yeah!!!!
Jessie says
March 21, 2014 at 7:49 pmThanks, Diane! I hope your pup likes it!
Shaun Throop says
June 24, 2014 at 6:43 pmI am absolutely going to be trying this this weekend. Prob do the carrot or brocoli as a stick in it. I have been looking for something more flavorful to give them as a treat and here in Phoenix when the temps. are now rising to 110 degrees plus, they will love it. Plus it sounds like a great idea to pair with the Halo Chicken Stew I make to mix with their regular food!
sulla turek says
July 22, 2014 at 6:49 pmI have made these twice now, my Shepard love love them! Thanks! WPB, FLORIDA.
Jessie says
July 24, 2014 at 8:16 amSo glad your Shepard likes them! 🙂
Donald says
May 26, 2015 at 3:56 pmHow about adding a little honey, honey!
Susanne says
July 20, 2015 at 11:22 amHi Jessie,
a few weeks ago we took our dogs to a local ice cream store for “puppy pops”. We had to stand in line (it was a hot day and the ice cream place is a favorite among the folks here) and the puppy pop were quite pricey. We figured we can do a equally nice job and looked online for puppy pop recipes. We came across your blog site and your Delicious Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Treats. Tried them the this past weekend and they were a HUGE hit! Thank you for the recipe! Will make them often.
Best, Susanne
Jessie says
July 20, 2015 at 11:58 amHi Susanne, so glad your pups liked them! 🙂