Frosty Paws are a frozen treat for dogs created in the 1970s by an Ohio State professor of animal science after a challenge from local ice cream parlor patrons. A dog-friendly alternative to sugary, lactose-laden ice cream, Frosty Paws have a yogurt base that contains less lactase than ice cream, so your dog can tolerate it better. But as tasty as the Frosty Paws treats are to your pooch, they may be cost-prohibitive if you are on a budget. If you want to reward your dog with dog ice cream at a low cost, you can whip up your own frozen treat at home.
Basic Frosty Treats
Step 1
Place the banana in a blender or food processor. Add 32 ounces plain yogurt. Scoop 2 tsp. of peanut butter and 2 tsp. of honey into the mix. Alternatively, try goat's milk yogurt for a treat containing much less lactose.
Step 2
Mix ingredients until well blended.
Step 3
Round up paper cups, small plastic containers, ice cube trays or muffin tins to use as molds for the mixture. Pour small amounts into the cups, muffin tins or plastic containers. Aim for a hockey puck shape and thickness to resemble the original Frosty Paws size.
Step 4
Fill an ice cube tray with the concoction to create handy bite-size pieces you can give to your dog when a regular-size frozen treat is too much.
Step 5
Freeze the treats, then put them in a freezer bag for easy storage.
Deluxe Frozen Treats
Step 1
Prepare the basic recipe as above, using 32 ounces of yogurt and banana and omit the honey and peanut butter.
Step 2
Add 1/4 cup strawberries, cranberries or blueberries for an antioxidant boost for your pup.
Step 3
Alternatively, add one can of pumpkin to the basic recipe and add 1/8 tsp. of carob powder.
Step 4
Mix and pour the mixture in the same manner as the basic recipe, and freeze.
Tips
Frozen treats are great for teething pups.
Items You Will Need
- 1 ripe banana
- 32 ounces plain yogurt or goat's milk yogurt
- 1 mashed banana
- 2 tsp. peanut butter
- 2 tsp. honey
- 1/4 cup strawberries, cranberries or blueberries
- 1 can pumpkin puree
- 1/8 tsp. carob powder
- Blender or food processor
- Paper cups or muffin tins
- Ice cube trays