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My boxer, Rocco, does zoomies in the yard every evening. Even in November, he comes in panting like it’s July. That’s when I open the freezer. These 3 ingredient frozen pumpkin dog treats are little pumpkins made of plain pumpkin and Greek yogurt, with a tiny carrot stick for a stem. He thinks they’re the best part of fall.
There’s no oven. You stir two things together, spoon them into a mold, poke in a carrot stem, and freeze. That’s the whole job.
Quick Recipe Card
What you need: 1 cup plain canned pumpkin, ½ cup plain unsweetened Greek yogurt, and 1 medium carrot.
What you do: Stir, spoon into a silicone mold, add carrot stems, and freeze for at least 4 hours.
What you get: About 12 small frozen pumpkins at roughly 15 calories each (my estimate).
Is Frozen Pumpkin Safe for Dogs?
Yes, as long as it’s plain pumpkin. AKC says plain, canned pumpkin is the healthiest choice for your dog. It’s full of fiber, plus vitamins A, E, and C, potassium, and iron, according to the AKC article on pumpkin for dogs.
The trap is pumpkin pie filling. It sits right next to plain pumpkin at the store, and the cans look alike. AKC’s article on pumpkin spice and dogs says dogs shouldn’t eat pumpkin pie mix or pie filling, because they usually have sugars, fats, and dairy already mixed in. Read the label. It should say “100% pure pumpkin.”
Freezing doesn’t change any of that. It just makes the treat cold, slow to eat, and a lot more fun.
Why Add Yogurt?
The yogurt makes the treats creamy, a little tangy, and a lighter orange. It also helps them pop out of the mold in one piece.
AKC’s yogurt guide says yogurt isn’t toxic to dogs, but many dogs have trouble digesting lactose. AKC suggests plain, Greek-style yogurt with live cultures because it’s typically lower in lactose. It must be plain, with no added sweeteners. Some sweeteners, like xylitol, are toxic to dogs.
AKC even mentions spooning plain yogurt into silicone molds and freezing it as a dog-friendly frozen treat. We’re just adding pumpkin to that idea.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Pumpkin: 100% pure canned pumpkin, or plain cooked and mashed fresh pumpkin. Never pie filling.
- Greek yogurt: Plain and unsweetened. Check the label for xylitol. Nonfat or low-fat is best.
- Carrot: Raw carrot, cut into thin, short sticks. AKC says to cut carrots into bite-size pieces to prevent choking.
- Never add: pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, sugar, or chocolate. Our list of foods dogs cannot eat covers more.
How Do You Make 3 Ingredient Frozen Pumpkin Dog Treats?
- Get a silicone mold ready. A pumpkin-shaped mold is fun, but any small mold or ice cube tray works.
- Peel the carrot. Cut it into sticks about 1 inch long and as thin as a pencil. You need about 12.
- In a bowl, stir together 1 cup of pumpkin and ½ cup of Greek yogurt. Mix until the color is even.
- Spoon the mix into the mold. Fill each cavity almost to the top. Tap the mold on the counter to knock out air bubbles.
- Push one carrot stick into the center of each treat, so about half of it sticks up like a stem.
- Set the mold on a small tray, so it stays flat. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Pop the treats out by pressing on the back of the mold.
- Serve one right away. Put the rest in a freezer bag.
Pro Tip
If the treats stick, let the mold sit on the counter for 2 minutes before you pop them out. Don’t run it under hot water. That melts the outside and leaves a sloppy shape.
How Big Should the Carrot Stem Be?
This part matters. A long, thick carrot stick can be a choking risk, especially for dogs who gulp. Here’s how I size the stems:
| Dog size | Stem size |
|---|---|
| Toy and small dogs | Skip the stem. Stir 2 tablespoons of finely grated carrot into the mix instead. |
| Medium dogs | About ¾ inch long, thin as a pencil |
| Large dogs | About 1 inch long, thin as a pencil |
If your dog gulps food, skip the stem no matter their size.
How Many Can My Dog Have?
I added up the batch with USDA FoodData Central values. One cup of canned pumpkin, ½ cup of nonfat Greek yogurt, and one medium carrot come to about 190 calories. Split into 12 treats, that’s about 15 calories each. Full-fat yogurt will add more.
VCA Animal Hospitals says treats should stay under 10% of a dog’s daily calories. Rocco is about 65 pounds and gets one, sometimes two, after his zoomies. For a small dog, one small treat is plenty.
Pumpkin is high in fiber, and too much fiber at once can upset a stomach. Start with one treat and see how your dog does the next day.
Vet Tip
Lots of people use plain pumpkin when a dog has loose stool. That’s fine for a mild upset, but these treats are not medicine. If your dog has diarrhea for more than a day, or seems tired, sick, or is vomiting, call your vet.
What Swaps Work?
- Dairy-free: Use ½ cup unsweetened applesauce instead of yogurt. The treats are icier and less creamy.
- No carrot: Use a small piece of green bean as the stem. Or skip the stem entirely.
- Banana twist: Swap ¼ cup of pumpkin for ¼ cup of mashed ripe banana. Our pumpkin banana dog treats show how well those two go together.
- Baked instead: If you want a crunchy pumpkin biscuit, try our pumpkin oat dog treats.
How Long Do They Keep?
In a sealed freezer bag, they keep up to 2 months. Label the bag with the date. I keep mine in the back of the freezer, where it’s coldest, so they don’t get freezer burn.
Leftover open pumpkin? Freeze it in ice cube trays in 1-tablespoon portions. Then you’re ready for the next batch, or for a plain pumpkin topper on dinner.
Frozen Pumpkin Treat FAQ
Can I use fresh pumpkin?
Yes. Cook it until soft, scoop out the flesh, and mash or blend it. Don’t use the raw skin, stem, or seeds. Let it cool before mixing.
My dog is lactose intolerant. Can I still make these?
Use the applesauce swap above. Or freeze plain pumpkin with a little water. AKC notes many dogs have trouble with lactose, so skipping yogurt is a fine choice.
Can puppies have frozen pumpkin treats?
Many teething puppies love cold treats. Ask your vet first, make them small, and skip the carrot stem.
Are these good for a hot day?
Yes, but they’re not a replacement for water. Always keep fresh water out. We keep a pet water fountain going because Rocco drinks more when the water moves.
Key Takeaway
Plain pumpkin and plain Greek yogurt freeze into a creamy, low-calorie dog treat in about 4 hours. Use 100% pure pumpkin, never pie filling. Choose yogurt with no xylitol or sugar. Keep carrot stems thin and short, or skip them for small dogs and gulpers.
My Final Thoughts
These 3 ingredient frozen pumpkin dog treats take ten minutes and look way fancier than they are. Make a tray on Sunday, and you have a cool reward ready all week. For more pumpkin ideas, see our healthy pumpkin dog treats or the simple yogurt dog treat bites.
For more quick ideas, browse my 3 ingredient dog treats.
