Pumpkin Yogurt Dog Treats -

Every October I end up with at least three cans of pumpkin puree in the pantry that I bought with big baking plans and never quite got around to using, and a couple of years ago I decided the leftover cans were better off going to my dog than sitting there until next fall.

I mixed a can with some plain yogurt I had going soft in the fridge, poured it into a mold, and froze it more out of curiosity than any real plan — and it turned into one of the treats he asks for the most, tail thumping against the cabinet the second he sees the yogurt container come out.

What I like most about this one is how little it asks of me. There’s no oven, no dough, no shaping — just two ingredients stirred together and poured into a mold, and the freezer does everything else.

It’s become the treat I make when I want to give him something homemade but don’t have the energy for an actual baking project.

If pumpkin is already a regular in your dog’s treat rotation, homemade pumpkin applesauce dog treats is a great oven-baked option to pair with this one, and if frozen treats are new territory for you, 9 easy frozen dog snacks for first-time dog owners is a good starting point before diving into this specific recipe.

Why Pumpkin and Yogurt Work So Well Together

Plain canned pumpkin is one of the most commonly recommended additions to a dog’s diet, mostly because of its fiber content and its reputation as a mild aid for digestive upset, whether that’s occasional constipation or a loose stool.

Plain yogurt brings probiotics and a creamy texture to the mix, and the combination of the two creates a treat that’s both soothing and satisfying, without needing any added sugar or flavoring to make it appealing.

Freezing the mixture turns it from a quick spoonful into something that takes a few minutes of steady licking to get through, which is part of why this has become such a reliable go-to during hot weather or whenever my dog seems like he could use something a little calming for his stomach.

It’s simple enough to make on a whim, but it does real work beyond just being a treat.

Ingredients I Feel Comfortable Using

Plain canned pumpkin. Not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices — just plain, pureed pumpkin with a single ingredient on the label.

Plain unsweetened yogurt. Look for a yogurt with no added sugar, artificial sweetener, or fruit mixed in. Full-fat or low-fat both work fine, depending on what your dog tolerates best.

A small spoonful of plain peanut butter, optional. Not necessary, but it adds a bit of richness and a flavor most dogs respond to instantly. If you use it, make sure it’s xylitol-free.

For a broader look at what other everyday ingredients are safe to build into treats like this, human foods dogs can safely eat is a good reference to keep open while you’re deciding what to make next.

Ingredients I Avoid

Pumpkin pie filling is the one to watch for most closely, since it often sits right next to plain canned pumpkin on the shelf but is loaded with added sugar and spices like nutmeg, which isn’t appropriate for dogs.

I also avoid flavored or sweetened yogurts entirely, along with any yogurt containing xylitol, which occasionally shows up in “no added sugar” varieties and is toxic to dogs even in small amounts.

Honey, syrup, and any other sweetener are left out as well, since the natural flavor of pumpkin and yogurt is more than enough on its own.

Pumpkin Yogurt Dog Treats

This is the treat I make with the least amount of effort out of anything on the site, and it’s stayed in steady rotation for exactly that reason.

The steps below go a bit deeper than “mix and freeze,” since getting the texture right the first time makes a real difference in how the treats turn out.

Ingredients

1 cup plain canned pumpkin
1 cup plain unsweetened yogurt (Greek yogurt recommended for a firmer set)
1 tablespoon plain peanut butter, xylitol-free, optional

Instructions

Measure the pumpkin and yogurt into a mixing bowl. Use a bowl with some room to work in, since you’ll be whisking rather than just stirring. If your yogurt has any liquid pooled on top (common with plain yogurt that’s been sitting), pour that off first so it doesn’t thin out the mixture.
Whisk the pumpkin and yogurt together until fully smooth. This takes about 30 to 45 seconds of steady whisking. You’re looking for one uniform color and texture with no streaks of white yogurt or orange pumpkin left visible — if you can still see swirls of either color, keep whisking. The finished mixture should look like a thick, smooth pudding that holds its shape briefly on the whisk before dropping back into the bowl.
Melt and stir in the peanut butter, if using. Cold peanut butter straight from the jar won’t blend in smoothly and will leave lumps. Warm it for about 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave, or scoop it into the bowl while the pumpkin and yogurt are still being whisked so it has a chance to loosen and incorporate evenly, with no visible streaks or clumps remaining.
Check the consistency before pouring. The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and hold a line if you drag a finger through it, but still pourable. If it seems noticeably thin or watery, whisk in an extra tablespoon or two of plain pumpkin to thicken it back up — this usually happens when the yogurt used was a thinner, non-Greek variety.
Pour the mixture into a silicone ice cube tray or small treat molds. Fill each cavity about three-quarters full rather than all the way to the top, since the mixture expands slightly as it freezes and overfilled molds are harder to pop the treats out of cleanly. Tap the tray firmly on the counter two or three times after filling to release any trapped air bubbles, which helps the treats freeze solid all the way through instead of leaving soft air pockets.
Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until completely solid all the way through. Don’t rely on the surface looking frozen — press gently on the center of one treat after 4 hours to confirm it’s firm, not just set on top. If it still gives slightly, freeze for another hour and check again.
Release the treats from the mold. Let the tray sit at room temperature for about a minute, or flex the silicone gently to loosen each treat before popping it out. If they’re stuck, running the underside of the tray briefly under lukewarm water works well without melting the treats themselves.

How Much to Give Your Dog One or two cubes are plenty for most dogs, especially given the dairy content. Smaller dogs should stick to one, and this is best treated as an occasional reward rather than an everyday snack.

Storage Once frozen, transfer the treats into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, separating layers with a piece of parchment paper if they’re prone to sticking together. They’ll keep well for up to 1 to 2 months in the freezer.

My Tip I use a silicone mold with small paw-print or bone shapes instead of a plain ice cube tray, mostly because it makes the treats easier to portion out one at a time without breaking, and it’s a small touch that makes them feel a bit more like an actual treat than a leftover ingredient.

If your dog takes to this one quickly, 3 ingredient peanut butter dog gummies is a good chewy alternative to rotate in, and 11 vet-friendly frozen dog treat recipes has several more frozen options if you want to keep building out a summer or anytime rotation.

Signs Your Dog Shouldn’t Have These

Known lactose intolerance or a history of stomach upset after dairy
Diabetes or a vet-recommended low-sugar diet
Known allergy to pumpkin, dairy, or peanuts

If any of these apply to your dog, check with your vet before offering this recipe, or consider a lactose-free yogurt alternative and skipping the peanut butter.

Common Problems When Making These

Why is my mixture too thin to freeze into a firm shape? This usually comes down to a runnier yogurt. Straining the yogurt through a cheesecloth or coffee filter for 10 to 15 minutes beforehand, or switching to a thicker Greek-style yogurt, helps firm up the final texture considerably.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt? Yes, plain Greek yogurt works well and often results in a creamier, slightly firmer treat once frozen, which is why it’s the version I recommend by default.

Why does my dog only want these partially thawed? Some dogs find a fully solid treat too hard on their teeth. Letting it sit out for a minute or two before serving softens the surface just enough without fully melting it.

Is it safe to give these every day? Not as a regular habit. Given the dairy and natural sugar content, these are best kept to a few times a week rather than a daily addition to your dog’s diet.

Can I add mashed banana to the mixture? Yes, a small amount of mashed banana can be stirred in for extra sweetness and texture, though it will slightly increase the natural sugar content of the finished treats.

Final Thoughts

This is one of those recipes that reminds me homemade treats don’t need to be complicated to be worth making. Two ingredients, a few minutes of hands-on time, and a freezer doing the rest — it’s hard to find a better ratio of effort to tail wags anywhere else on this site.

Recipe Card

Pumpkin Yogurt Dog Treats

A simple, two-ingredient frozen treat made from plain pumpkin and plain yogurt, gentle on digestion and easy to make with almost no hands-on effort.


Prep Time	10 minutes
Freeze Time	4 hours
Total Time	4 hours 10 minutes
Yield	12 small treats
Category	Dog Treats
Method	Freezing, No-Bake
Suitable For	Adult dogs; ask your vet first for dogs with lactose intolerance, diabetes, or dairy allergies

Ingredients

1 cup plain canned pumpkin
1 cup plain unsweetened yogurt (Greek recommended)
1 tablespoon plain peanut butter, xylitol-free (optional)

Instructions

Drain any liquid from the yogurt, then whisk together with pumpkin until completely smooth with no streaks.
Warm and stir in peanut butter, if using, until fully incorporated.
Check consistency — mixture should coat the back of a spoon; add more pumpkin if too thin.
Pour into a silicone mold, filling each cavity three-quarters full, and tap out air bubbles.
Freeze at least 4 hours, until firm all the way through.
Release from mold and serve straight from the freezer.

Notes