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Is your dog the type who follows you to the freezer every time you open it? Mine is. So I made her something of her own to keep in there.
Quick answer: These 3 ingredient strawberry dog treats are frozen bites made from fresh strawberries, a ripe banana, and water. Blend, pour into a mold, and freeze for about 4 hours. They’re dairy-free, have no added sugar, and come in at 5 to 11 calories each, depending on your mold.
I first made these for Lulu, my Frenchie. Flat-faced dogs like her can struggle in the heat, so I wanted a cool snack she could lick slowly after walks. I tried yogurt versions first, but dairy didn’t sit well with her tummy. The ASPCA explains why: many pets don’t have much of the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so dairy can cause diarrhea. This fruit-and-water version fixed that problem.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Freeze time | 4 hours (or overnight) |
| Yield | About 14 ice cubes or 30 small paw shapes |
| Calories | About 11 per ice cube, 5 per small paw |
| Diet notes | Dairy-free, no added sugar, no baking |
| Keeps | Up to 2 months in the freezer |
What Are the 3 Ingredients?
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, washed, with the green tops cut off (about 150 g)
- 1 ripe banana, peeled
- ½ cup water
That’s it. Frozen strawberries are fine too, as long as the bag lists only strawberries. Skip any in syrup or with added sugar.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Strawberries: The AKC says they’re safe, but to remove the stems and leaves, which can upset the stomach. Canned or syrup strawberries are a no.
- Banana: The AKC says bananas can be a nutritious treat, but they’re high in natural sugar, so keep them occasional. Never give the peel, which is hard to digest.
- Water: Plain tap or filtered water. No juice.
- Never add: Grapes or raisins, which the ASPCA links to kidney damage, or any “sugar-free” sweetener. The FDA warns that xylitol is dangerous for dogs.
How Do You Make 3 Ingredient Strawberry Dog Treats?
Step 1: Blend
Add the strawberries, banana, and water to a blender. Blend for about 30 seconds, until smooth and pink. No lumps means no choking risk.
Step 2: Pour
Pour the mix into a silicone mold or a plain ice cube tray. Fill each spot about three-quarters full. It grows a little as it freezes.
Step 3: Freeze
Set the tray flat in the freezer for at least 4 hours. Overnight is even easier.
Step 4: Pop and Serve
Push the treats out from the bottom of the mold. Serve one right away, or bag the rest.
Pro Tip: Silicone paw molds are cute, but a plain ice cube tray works just as well. If your treats stick, set the tray on the counter for 2 minutes, then twist.
How Many Calories Are in Each One?
Very few, which is why I like these so much. Using USDA FoodData Central, 1 cup of strawberries is about 48 calories and a medium banana is about 105. Water adds nothing. So the whole batch is around 153 calories.
| Mold type | Pieces per batch | Calories each | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small paw or bone mold | About 30 | About 5 | Toy and small dogs |
| Standard ice cube tray | About 14 | About 11 | Medium and large dogs |
| Large silicone mold (2 oz) | About 7 | About 22 | Big dogs, as a lick-time treat |
VCA Animal Hospitals recommends keeping treats under 10% of daily calories. Even so, these are fruit, so I still count them.
How Many Can My Dog Eat?
The AKC suggests starting with 1 to 3 strawberries a day, and warns that too many can cause loose stools. One batch of these has about a cup of berries in total. So I give Lulu one or two small paws a day, not the whole tray.
For a big dog, one ice cube is plenty. If your dog has never had strawberries, start with half a cube and watch for any tummy trouble the next day.
Vet Tip: Strawberries and bananas both have natural sugar. The AKC says to be careful with diabetic or overweight dogs. If your dog has either issue, ask your vet before adding fruit treats.
What Can I Swap In?
- Blueberries for strawberries: Same amount, and a pretty purple color. My banana blueberry dog treats use them baked.
- Watermelon for banana: Use 1 cup of seedless, rindless watermelon and skip the water. Or try my frozen watermelon dog bites.
- Plain pumpkin for banana: Use ⅓ cup for a lower-sugar cube.
- Want it baked? My easy strawberry dog treats and healthy strawberry banana treats are crunchy cookies instead.
- Peanut butter lover? My 3 ingredient peanut butter dog treats pair it with banana. Just check that the label says no xylitol.
How Long Do They Keep?
Once they’re frozen solid, move them into a freezer bag or a sealed box. Press out the air and write the date on it. They’re best within 2 months. After that, they get icy, but they’re still safe.
Keep them away from your own food so no one mistakes them for a smoothie cube. I learned that one the hard way.
When Are Frozen Treats Most Helpful?
- After walks on warm days. A cold lick feels good. Fresh water should still come first, though. I wrote about how long a dog can go without water, and keeping a dog water fountain full has made Lulu drink more.
- To slow down fast eaters. Licking takes longer than crunching.
- When you leave the house. I give Lulu one right before I go. I peek at her on my dog camera, and she’s usually still licking.
What Mistakes Should I Avoid?
- Leaving the tops on. It’s tempting to toss whole berries in the blender. Take a few seconds to cut off the green parts.
- Using a big, deep mold for a small dog. A big frozen block is a lot of fruit at once. Small molds make portion control easy.
- Adding juice. Store-bought juice adds sugar your dog doesn’t need. Plain water does the job.
- Serving on the carpet. These melt and they’re pink. Learn from me and serve them outside, on a towel, or on a lick mat.
Why I Love This Recipe
Out of all the treats I make, these 3 ingredient strawberry dog treats are the easiest. There’s no oven, no rolling, and no cleanup beyond rinsing the blender. My niece made a batch with me when she was 7, and she did nearly all of it herself.
They’re also a great way to use up fruit. If my strawberries are getting soft or my banana is turning brown, they go straight into the blender. Nothing goes to waste, and Lulu gets a treat.
And because they’re mostly water and fruit, they’re one of the lightest treats you can give. That makes them a good pick for dogs who need to watch their weight, as long as you keep an eye on the sugar.
What If My Dog Doesn’t Like Them?
Some dogs aren’t sure about cold food at first. Lulu sniffed her first one and walked away. Here’s what helped:
- Let the treat soften on a plate for 2 or 3 minutes before serving.
- Try a smaller piece. A huge frozen block can be a lot for a first try.
- Rub a little on your finger and let your dog lick it off.
- Swap in a fruit your dog already loves, like blueberries.
By the third day, she was waiting at the freezer door. Most dogs come around once they figure out it’s food.
Got three things in the pantry? You will find more ideas in my three-ingredient treat recipes.
FAQ
Can puppies have these?
Most puppies can have a small piece once they’re eating solid food. Ask your vet first, and supervise.
Do I have to use a blender?
A blender is best. You can mash with a fork, but chop the berries very small so there are no big pieces.
Are frozen treats bad for dogs’ teeth?
Soft frozen fruit cubes are gentler than ice. Still, if your dog is a chomper, let the treat soften for a minute before serving.
Can I add yogurt?
You can, if your dog handles dairy well. Use plain yogurt with no xylitol. I kept this version dairy-free on purpose.
My dog got loose stools. What happened?
Probably too much fruit at once. Skip them for a few days, then go back to half a piece. If it keeps happening, check with your vet.
Can I use strawberry jam?
No. Jam is mostly sugar and may have sweeteners. Fresh or plain frozen berries only.
Cheap, quick, and pink. Lulu thinks I’m a genius. If you’d like more ready-to-go options, these dog treats are what I grab when I’m short on time.
