ByCan a dog treat be smaller than a dime and still make your dog lose their mind? Yes. Meet my yogurt melts.
If this one is a hit, try another from my 25 easy 3-ingredient dog treats.
These 3 ingredient yogurt dog treats use plain Greek yogurt, plain pumpkin, and blueberries. You pipe tiny dots onto a tray, top each with a bit of blueberry, and freeze for 2 hours. Each one is about 2 calories, so they’re perfect for training.
I came up with these because my Shih Tzu, Mochi, is tiny. A normal treat is a whole meal for her. I needed something small enough to give over and over while we practiced tricks, and she goes wild for yogurt. Half the dots are plain white, and half have pumpkin mixed in, so the tray looks like candy.
Recipe Snapshot
- 5 minutes to make
- 2 hours to freeze
- About 80 tiny drops
- About 2 calories each
- No baking, no blender
- Keeps 1 month frozen
Which Yogurt Is Safe for Dogs?
This is the most important part of the whole recipe. The AKC says plain yogurt can be okay for dogs, but it has rules. Here’s how I read the label.
| Yogurt type | Use it? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plain nonfat Greek yogurt | Yes | The AKC notes Greek-style has less lactose |
| Plain regular yogurt | Sometimes | More lactose, so it may upset some tummies |
| Vanilla or fruit yogurt | No | Added sugar and flavorings |
| “Light,” “sugar-free,” or “no sugar added” | No, unless you check | May contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs |
| Full-fat yogurt | Rarely | The AKC warns fat can lead to pancreatitis |
Vet Tip: Lots of dogs have trouble with lactose. The AKC says lactose intolerance can show up as gas, diarrhea, or vomiting. The ASPCA says the same about milk products. Give your dog one drop on day one, then wait a day. If anything seems off, stop and talk to your vet.
What You Need
- 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (no xylitol, no sugar)
- ¼ cup plain canned pumpkin (100% pumpkin)
- ¼ cup fresh blueberries, cut into halves or quarters
- A zip-top bag, a sheet pan, and parchment paper
How Do You Make 3 Ingredient Yogurt Dog Treats?
- Line a sheet pan with parchment. Make sure it fits flat in your freezer.
- Split the yogurt. Put half in one bowl. Stir the pumpkin into the other half.
- Fill a bag. Spoon the plain yogurt into a zip-top bag and snip off a tiny corner.
- Pipe dots about the size of a dime, 1 inch apart.
- Repeat with the pumpkin yogurt in a second bag.
- Top each dot with a small piece of blueberry.
- Freeze for 2 hours, until they lift off the paper easily.
- Bag them up and keep them in the freezer.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Yogurt: Plain only. The FDA warns that xylitol, sometimes called birch sugar, can be very dangerous for dogs. Read every label.
- Pumpkin: Plain canned pumpkin, never pie filling.
- Blueberries: The AKC says they’re generally safe in moderation, but can be a choking risk for very small dogs. Cut them into small pieces.
Why Are These So Good for Training?
Because they’re tiny. Using USDA FoodData Central, 1 cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt is about 134 calories. The pumpkin adds about 21 and the blueberries about 21. That’s roughly 176 for 80 drops, or about 2 calories each.
VCA Animal Hospitals says treats should stay under 10% of daily calories. Small dogs hit that limit fast. With these, Mochi can get 15 rewards in a session and barely make a dent.
We use them for nose targeting. If you want to try it, here’s how to teach a dog to touch. And since they melt on your fingers, it’s good practice for hand feeding safely too.
What Went Wrong With My First Batch?
Honestly, a few things. The first time, I used regular yogurt instead of Greek. The dots spread into flat puddles and stuck to the paper. Greek yogurt is thicker, so it holds a nice round shape.
Then I made the dots way too big. They looked cute, but each one was closer to 6 calories, which defeated the point for my tiny dog. Now I aim for the size of a dime or smaller.
Last, I tried to pipe them on a warm day without chilling the yogurt first. It got runny fast. Now I pop the filled bag in the fridge for 10 minutes before piping.
How Do I Know If My Dog Handles Yogurt Well?
Give one drop and wait a full day. Watch for gas, loose stools, or vomiting. If everything’s normal, try two or three the next day. Some dogs do great with plain Greek yogurt. Others don’t, and that’s okay. These 3 ingredient yogurt dog treats just aren’t the right fit for every pup.
Mochi did fine, so now they’re her favorite reward. I keep a small bag in the freezer door at all times.
What Can I Swap?
- Strawberry for blueberry: Tiny pieces, tops removed.
- Banana for pumpkin: Mash 2 tablespoons of ripe banana into the yogurt.
- No dairy? Skip the yogurt and use my 3 ingredient strawberry dog treats, which are fruit and water only.
- Want a bigger bite? My simple yogurt dog treat bites are made in a mold.
- Love blueberries? My banana blueberry dog treats are a baked option.
What Games Can I Play With These?
Tiny, soft rewards are perfect for short indoor games. These are the ones Mochi loves most:
- Find it: Hide 3 drops around one room while she waits. Say “find it” and let her sniff them out.
- Touch: Hold out your palm. When her nose touches it, give a drop. It’s a great first trick.
- Name game: Say her name once. The moment she looks at you, give a drop.
- Cup game: Put a drop under one of three paper cups. Shuffle slowly and let her pick.
Keep each game short, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stop while your dog is still having fun. You’ll get more focus next time.
Since these melt, I play these games in the kitchen or on a hard floor. A quick wipe and we’re done.
One more thing: these are a treat, not a probiotic plan. The AKC notes yogurt can have live cultures, but a few drops a day won’t fix tummy trouble. If your dog has ongoing gut issues, talk to your vet.
FAQ
Do they melt in a treat pouch?
Yes, quickly. I keep a few in a small insulated cup and use them at home or in the yard.
Can I use a piping bag?
Sure. A small round tip gives neat dots. A zip-top bag works fine too.
Can I make them bigger?
Yes. Just remember each bigger drop has more calories. A teaspoon-size dot is about 6.
Can my dog eat these every day?
If your dog handles yogurt well, a few a day is fine for most dogs. Count them as part of the daily treat budget.
Pro Tip: Freeze the tray uncovered first. Once they’re hard, put them in a bag. If you bag them soft, they all stick together in one big lump.
Mochi’s favorite brain game is still “find the yogurt dot.” If you want more ideas like that, this brain training program for dogs has been fun for us. And for a dog with a touchy stomach, ask your vet whether a daily dog supplement makes sense.
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