8 frozen cat treat recipes to keep your cat cool & hydrated

Trying to keep your cat cool in the warmer weather? Here are eight frozen cat treat recipes  that your feline friends will love. Make a note of the recipes below and your cat will soon be hydrated, cool, calm and collected in the heat. From cat-friendly ice cream to frozen broth cubes, there’s something for even the fussiest of felines.

Frozen wet cat food

This one has little prep time… freeze your cat’s normal wet food! You can add a little water if needed and spoon it into an ice cube tray. The beauty of frozen cat food is that your cat is already familiar with the smell and taste, and it shouldn’t cause any tummy troubles if you’re using a wet cat food they already know.

Frozen bone broth treats for cats

You can either buy bone broth for cats or make your own at home, being careful to avoid ingredients like garlic, onion, and salt. Freeze the broth in ice cube trays or silicone moulds. For a simple bone broth for cats recipe, simply simmer oxtail bones along with cat-safe vegetables (such as carrots) for roughly 8 hours, allow it to cool and strain thoroughly.

Frozen goat’s milk

As an occasional treat, freeze some goat's milk in an ice cube tray. It can be a bit easier for cats to digest than cow’s milk and makes for a healthy, homemade cat treat.

Frozen salmon snacks

For these salmon snacks, you’ll need 100g of boneless tinned salmon, 1 small carrot (cut into small pieces and cooked until soft), and 25g of rolled oats. Place the oats in a food processor and blend into flour (alternatively, use ready-made oat flour). Mix the cooked carrot and salmon in. Spoon into silicone moulds, an ice cube tray or spoon onto parchment paper and freeze.

Frozen tuna yogurt treats - a simple cat ice cream recipe

These cat yogurt treats are a simple form of homemade cat ice cream. Mix plain, unsweetened yoghurt (lactose-free if your cat is sensitive to dairy) with some tinned tuna in water. Mix until smooth and freeze in silicone moulds or an ice cube tray.

Frozen licky treats

You know those little squeezable liquid licky treats that cats love? Freeze them! Break them up slightly before opening the sachet and serving.

Frozen catnip treats

For another great DIY treat for your cat, blend canned tuna or salmon in water with a pinch of catnip. Pour into an ice cube tray or mould and freeze.

Plain ice cubes

Don’t forget that many cats will also enjoy licking and playing with plain ice cubes!

Things to consider when making frozen cat treats

• Serve frozen homemade kitty treats somewhere shady – they will last longer, and your cat will love the cool sensation.
• Offer frozen treats in a bowl or on easy-to-clean flooring - things can get messy when they melt!
• Frozen treats need to be made in advance –they will need freezing overnight before serving.
• Only offer small amounts of any new food or treat to begin with and monitor for tummy troubles.
• Treats should be fed in moderation, as too many extra calories could lead to weight gain.
• If your cat is on a special diet or has a health condition (e.g. diabetes), then speak to your vet before offering anything new.
• If you’re house sitting, then always make sure to ask pet parents first before feeding your new feline friend something different.

Along with making these delicious cat treats, why not keep your cat cool at home with an in-home pet sitter during the heatwave, rather than sending them off to a cattery? Click below to find out more (and remember to make these frozen cat treat recipes to store in your freezer while you’re away!).

Meet our veterinary expert, Rebecca

This article has been checked by veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!

Useful resources

Now that you’re all set for the hot weather with these frozen cat treat recipes, get clued-up on feline nutrition and health, starting with the handy articles below.

• Can cats eat cherries?
• How heavy should my cat be?
• 12 common herbs that are toxic to cats