Updated July 2026

This guide provides general dog-care information and does not replace veterinary advice. If your dog is showing signs of overheating or heatstroke, start cooling them and contact your vet urgently.

It is hot.

Your dog’s normal walk has been shortened.

Or perhaps you have sensibly skipped it altogether.

Now your dog is looking at you as though you have personally cancelled summer.

This is where frozen enrichment can be useful.

A frozen Kong, lick mat or simple food activity can give your dog something calm to do while the hotter part of the day passes.

But I want to make one thing clear from the start.

Frozen treats are not a treatment for heatstroke.

They do not make a dangerous walk safe.

And they do not replace fresh water, shade, rest and sensible decisions about exercise.

Think of them as a small part of your dog’s hot-weather routine.

Here are ten of my favourite simple frozen dog treat and enrichment ideas.

Most can be made using food your dog already eats.

Quick answer: what can I freeze for my dog in hot weather?

Simple frozen dog enrichment ideas include:

your dog’s normal wet food on a lick mat
soaked kibble in a Kong
small pieces of carrot
small pieces of banana
seedless watermelon with the rind removed
a thin layer of plain unsweetened yoghurt, where your dog tolerates dairy
diluted wet food frozen into small treats
a simple frozen Kong
a frozen lick mat
crushed ice or ice shavings added to a food activity

Keep portions small.

Introduce new foods slowly.

Supervise your dog with new toys and frozen activities.

And remember that your dog may simply want to sleep.

For the bigger picture on heatstroke, hot pavements, walks and vulnerable dogs, read my Summer Dog Safety Guide.

Frozen enrichment should be calm

I think we sometimes make dog enrichment far too complicated.

People see the word “enrichment” and immediately imagine an elaborate puzzle involving twelve boxes, three towels, and a degree in engineering.

It does not need to be like that.

Especially in hot weather.

When it is too warm for a normal walk, I am looking for activities that encourage a dog to:

lick
sniff
search
chew safely
settle
rest

I am not trying to recreate a sixty-minute walk in the living room.

I am certainly not trying to make the dog run around until they are panting heavily.

The RSPCA recommends puzzle toys, training games and scent work as alternatives when hot weather makes normal exercise unsafe.

You can read the RSPCA’s hot-weather advice for dogs.

I have also put together 15 calm things to do instead of walking your dog in a heatwave.

The aim is calm engagement.

Not exhaustion.

1. Freeze your dog’s normal wet food on a lick mat

This is probably the easiest place to start.

Take a small amount of your dog’s normal wet food.

Spread a thin layer across a lick mat.

Freeze it flat.

That is it.

You have not introduced any unusual ingredients.

You are simply changing how part of your dog’s normal meal is offered.

For dogs new to lick mats, I would start with a thin layer.

Do not create an inch-thick frozen slab and expect your dog to spend three hours solving it.

Make it easy.

Let your dog understand the activity.

You can gradually change the amount or texture once you know they enjoy it.

I use and recommend this type of LickiMat for calm food enrichment.

Always choose a product suitable for your dog and supervise them until you know how they use it.

Some dogs carefully lick every section.

Others decide the mat itself may be the main course.

Know the dog in front of you.

2. Make a simple frozen Kong

Kongs are one of the enrichment toys I recommend most often.

They are simple.

They are reusable.

And you can use your dog’s regular food instead of constantly adding extra treats.

For a basic summer Kong, try:

wet food
soaked kibble
a mixture of wet food and water
some of your dog’s normal food mashed together

Fill the toy.

Freeze it.

Offer it when your dog is settled in a cool spot.

For a beginner, do not pack the Kong as tightly as physically possible.

A common enrichment mistake is making the activity too difficult.

The dog tries.

Nothing comes out.

The dog gives up.

The owner decides their dog does not like Kongs.

Start easy.

You can make it more challenging later.

I currently recommend the KONG Classic Dog Toy.

Amazon affiliate link.

My Complete Guide to Kong Toys for Dogs covers how to choose a suitable Kong and various filling ideas.

Remember to count the food inside the Kong as part of your dog’s normal daily intake.

A heatwave should not accidentally become an all-inclusive buffet.

3. Try frozen carrot pieces

Carrots are cheap and easy to prepare.

Wash the carrot.

Cut it into pieces suitable for your dog’s size and chewing style.

You can then chill or freeze the pieces.

Some dogs enjoy them straight from the freezer.

Others prefer them after they have softened slightly.

I would supervise your dog, particularly if they tend to gulp rather than chew.

You can also grate or mash carrot and add a small amount to a Kong or lick mat.

The important thing is portion size.

A dog does not need an entire vegetable drawer simply because the weather forecast says 30°C.

A few pieces may be enough.

list of dog friendly vegetables - frozen dog treats for hot weather

4. Freeze small pieces of banana

Banana freezes very easily.

Cut it into small pieces and freeze them on a suitable tray or in a freezer-safe container.

You can offer a small piece on its own.

Or mash a little banana and spread it thinly across a lick mat.

Bananas contain natural sugars, so I treat them as an occasional extra rather than something to give in large quantities.

I sometimes combine a tiny amount with a dog’s normal food to make a frozen enrichment activity slightly different.

Again, introduce new foods slowly.

A hot day is not the ideal time to discover that your dog’s stomach strongly disagrees with your latest recipe.

5. Use seedless watermelon

Watermelon can be a refreshing occasional treat for some dogs.

Remove:

the rind
any seeds

Cut the flesh into small pieces.

You can serve it chilled or freeze a few small pieces.

I would not leave watermelon or other fresh food sitting around in a warm room or garden.

Offer a small amount and remove anything your dog does not eat.

Watermelon should be an occasional extra.

It is not a replacement for your dog’s drinking water.

Fresh, clean water should always be available.

For more practical hydration and cooling equipment, see my Hot Weather Dog Kit.

6. Make a frozen lick mat with plain yoghurt

Some dogs tolerate plain yoghurt well.

Others do not.

If your dog is comfortable with dairy, you can use a small amount of plain, unsweetened yoghurt.

Check the ingredients.

Avoid products containing sweeteners or xylitol.

Spread a thin layer across a lick mat and freeze it.

You can also mix a tiny amount with:

mashed banana
your dog’s wet food
soaked kibble

I would keep the recipe simple.

There is no need to recreate Bake Off for dogs.

For dogs that do not tolerate dairy, use their normal wet food or soaked kibble instead.

That is often my preferred option anyway.

Using a dog’s normal diet can be much easier on their stomach.

7. Freeze diluted wet food into small treats

This is a useful option if you want small frozen pieces rather than a large activity toy.

Mix a little of your dog’s normal wet food with water.

Spoon small amounts into a suitable freezer-safe mould.

Freeze.

Offer one or two small pieces while your dog is resting somewhere cool.

The size matters.

I prefer small pieces that a dog can lick or deal with easily.

I would avoid making huge solid frozen blocks.

This is particularly important for dogs that tend to gulp food.

Supervise the first few times you offer any new frozen treat.

You are watching how your individual dog eats it.

Not how somebody else’s Labrador ate one on Facebook.

8. Make an easy layered frozen Kong

Once your dog understands a basic Kong, you can make the filling slightly more interesting.

Try layering foods your dog already tolerates.

For example:

A little wet food.

A few pieces of soaked kibble.

A little mashed carrot.

More normal wet food.

Freeze the Kong.

Different textures can make the activity more interesting without requiring many expensive ingredients.

Keep it simple.

I know there are hundreds of elaborate Kong recipes online.

Some look like they require a shopping trip, food processor and half a day off work.

Your dog does not care whether their Kong is Instagram-worthy.

They care whether they enjoy it.

My own approach to enrichment feeding is explained in Ditch the Bowl at Mealtimes.

You do not need to ditch the bowl every day.

You can simply use part of a normal meal in a different way.

9. Add crushed ice or ice shavings to a food activity

Ice advice sparks arguments on social media every summer.

You will see posts claiming that dogs should never have ice.

Then somebody else will announce that their Labrador has been eating ice since 1987 and is absolutely fine.

The sensible answer is more nuanced.

The RSPCA says small amounts of ice and frozen treats can be safe when offered sensibly and with supervision.

PDSA’s 2026 hot-weather advice says the idea that cold ice makes a pet’s body heat up is untrue. However, PDSA recommends ice shavings or crushed ice rather than encouraging dogs to crunch hard, solid ice cubes, as hard cubes may damage teeth, particularly in enthusiastic chewers.

You can read the RSPCA’s advice on common heatwave pet-care myths and PDSA’s 2026 advice on helping pets in the heat.

My own cautious approach is simple.

I would rather use:

crushed ice
ice shavings
small frozen food treats
a frozen Kong
a frozen lick mat

than hand a powerful chewer a large, rock-hard block of ice.

You can also read my guide to ice cubes and dogs.

10. Turn breakfast or dinner into frozen enrichment

This is probably my favourite idea because it keeps things simple.

Take part of your dog’s normal meal.

Use it in:

a frozen Kong
a lick mat
a freezer-safe enrichment toy

That gives your dog something calm to do without automatically adding extra calories.

It also works well on days when a normal walk has been shortened or cancelled.

Your dog still has an activity.

They can lick, work at their food and use their brain.

Then they can rest.

This is exactly the sort of calm enrichment I discuss in What to Do Instead of Walking Your Dog in a Heatwave.

You do not need ten different frozen treats in one day.

Choose one.

See how your dog responds.

Tomorrow you can do something different.

Can frozen treats help keep a dog hydrated?

Some frozen food activities contain water and may encourage a dog to take in a little more fluid.

But I would be careful about describing frozen treats as a solution to dehydration.

Your dog should always have access to fresh drinking water.

Some simple things I check during hot weather are:

Is the bowl clean?
Is the water fresh?
Is the bowl sitting in direct sunlight?
Does the dog have access to water in the room they actually use?
Has the dog’s normal drinking behaviour changed?

During very warm weather, additional water bowls in different safe locations can be useful.

This is particularly worth thinking about in larger homes and warm flats.

My Dogs and Heat in a Flat guide covers managing indoor heat in more detail.

If your dog is refusing water, seems unwell, or their drinking changes significantly, speak to your vet.

Frozen treats do not prevent heatstroke

This is important.

A frozen Kong cannot make a midday walk safe.

A lick mat cannot undo overheating.

Watermelon does not protect against heatstroke.

The biggest hot-weather decisions are still:

whether to walk
when to walk
how long to walk
the surface under your dog’s paws
shade
humidity
your dog’s individual health
whether your dog is showing signs of struggling

On very hot days, I would rather see a dog have a brief toilet opportunity and a calm food activity at home than be pushed through their normal sixty-minute walk.

My Summer Dog Safety Guide covers the main summer risks.

You can also read my Extreme Weather Policy to see how I adapt booked care when conditions are unsafe.

What signs of heatstroke should I watch for?

Possible signs of heat-related illness can include:

heavy panting
difficulty breathing
excessive drooling
unusual tiredness
confusion
wobbling or uncoordinated movement
vomiting
diarrhoea
collapse
seizures

Heatstroke is an emergency.

Do not give your dog a frozen treat and wait to see whether they improve.

Start cooling your dog immediately and contact a vet urgently.

The RSPCA’s heatstroke advice for dogs explains the signs and emergency cooling advice.

PDSA also provides first aid advice for heatstroke.

If you are worried, act.

I would much rather somebody phone their vet and discover the dog is okay than delay because they hoped a dog would cool down on their own.

What foods should I avoid in homemade frozen dog treats?

Not everything in your fridge or freezer is suitable for dogs.

I would avoid:

grapes
raisins
chocolate
foods containing xylitol
cooked bones
very salty foods
gravy or stock containing unsuitable ingredients
heavily flavoured dairy products
large amounts of rich foods
recipes containing lots of unfamiliar ingredients

Be particularly careful with peanut butter.

Check the ingredients and make sure it does not contain xylitol.

I also avoid assuming that something is suitable just because a social media post calls it a “doggy ice lolly”.

Check the ingredients.

Use a reliable animal-welfare source.

When in doubt, ask your vet.

How much frozen enrichment should I give my dog?

There is no single amount that suits every dog.

Think about:

your dog’s size
normal diet
health
age
weight
stomach sensitivity
how many other treats they receive

Where possible, I use part of the dog’s normal meal.

This is one reason I like frozen wet food, soaked kibble and simple Kongs.

You are changing the activity without necessarily adding lots of extra food.

Treats and additional ingredients should be kept in sensible amounts.

If your dog is on a veterinary or prescription diet, speak to your vet before adding new foods.

Are frozen treats suitable for puppies?

They can be suitable for some puppies.

But keep them simple.

Puppies can have sensitive stomachs and their nutritional needs are important.

I would usually start with:

their normal wet food
soaked puppy kibble
a puppy-appropriate Kong
a simple lick mat

Make the activity easy.

Supervise them.

Remember that puppies also need lots of sleep.

They do not need a packed entertainment schedule because a hot day has disrupted their usual walk.

My Bringing a Puppy Home Guide covers puppy routines, rest and early care.

I also offer Puppy Visits and Puppy Support in Finchley.

Are frozen treats suitable for older dogs?

Possibly.

But think about the individual dog.

An older dog may have:

dental problems
a sensitive stomach
a medical condition
a veterinary diet
difficulty chewing hard foods

A frozen lick mat with the dog’s normal wet food may be more suitable than a hard-frozen carrot or a piece of ice.

This is another reason I do not like one-size-fits-all dog advice.

Watch the dog in front of you.

Adapt the activity.

Ask your vet about any health or dental concerns.

My five easiest frozen enrichment ideas

Overwhelmed by ten ideas?

Start here.

1. Normal wet food on a frozen lick mat

Simple and familiar.

2. A Kong filled with soaked kibble

Use part of breakfast or dinner.

3. A few small frozen carrot pieces

Cheap and easy.

4. A thin layer of suitable food on a lick mat

Freeze it flat.

5. Part of your dog’s normal meal in a freezer-safe enrichment toy

No complicated recipe needed.

That is enough.

Your dog does not need a different homemade ice cream flavour every afternoon.

What I prepare when hot weather is forecast

When I know hot weather is coming, I think ahead.

I would prepare:

one or two frozen Kongs
a frozen lick mat
extra clean water bowls
a cool place for the dog to rest

That way, you are not suddenly searching for enrichment ideas at 2 pm when the dog is bored, and the pavement is roasting.

You can find the practical equipment I use or would consider in my Hot Weather Dog Kit.

My broader Dog Care Recommendations page also brings my advice-first product guides together.

You do not need to buy everything.

A water bowl, your dog’s normal food and a little preparation can go a long way.

What if my dog’s normal walk is cancelled because of the heat?

Please do not panic.

And please do not feel guilty.

Your dog does not need an indoor workout because they missed a walk.

My article What to Do Instead of Walking Your Dog in a Heatwave has 15 calm indoor enrichment ideas.

That includes:

Find It
scatter feeding
cardboard search boxes
towel games
scent work
simple training
frozen enrichment
rest

And yes.

Rest is number one.

Your dog does not measure your love in miles walked.

How I adapt dog care during very hot weather

I have worked professionally with dogs since 2011.

Hot weather sometimes means the original plan has to change.

A normal walk may need to be:

shortened
moved to a cooler time where practical
slowed down
changed to a short toilet opportunity
adapted into calmer home-based care

Where appropriate, an adapted visit may include:

fresh water
a short toilet opportunity
calm indoor enrichment
a scent game
feeding
agreed medication
preparing an owner-supplied Kong or lick mat
a general welfare check
a photograph and update

You can read more about Hot-Weather Dog Comfort Visits and Pet Care Add-ons.

I also explain my safety decisions in the Finchley Dog Walker Extreme Weather Policy.

I would much rather explain why I changed a dog’s walk than push them through a normal routine because the diary says “60 minutes”.

The dog comes first.

Frequently asked questions

Can dogs eat frozen treats in hot weather?

Many dogs can enjoy suitable frozen food activities in moderation. Use dog-safe ingredients, keep portions sensible and supervise your dog. Frozen treats do not replace water, shade, rest or sensible exercise decisions.

Are ice cubes dangerous for dogs?

The idea that cold ice automatically causes a dog’s body temperature to rise is not supported by current RSPCA or PDSA advice. However, PDSA recommends crushed ice or ice shavings rather than hard, solid cubes, as they can cause dental damage. Consider your dog’s teeth, chewing style and health.

What is the easiest frozen dog treat to make?

One of the easiest options is to spread your dog’s normal wet food thinly on a lick mat and freeze it. You can also put soaked kibble into a suitable Kong and freeze it.

Can I freeze my dog’s normal food?

Often, yes. Many owners use suitable wet food or soaked kibble in food toys and lick mats. Check storage instructions for your dog’s food and use clean, freezer-safe equipment.

Is frozen yoghurt safe for dogs?

Some dogs tolerate a small amount of plain, unsweetened yoghurt. Others do not tolerate dairy well. Avoid yoghurt containing xylitol, sweeteners or unnecessary flavourings. Your dog’s normal wet food is a simpler alternative.

Can dogs eat frozen banana?

Small amounts of banana can be offered to many dogs as an occasional treat. Banana is naturally sweet, so keep portions small.

Can dogs eat watermelon?

Small amounts of seedless watermelon flesh may be suitable for many dogs. Remove the rind and seeds and introduce it gradually.

Can frozen treats prevent heatstroke?

No. Frozen treats are not a way to prevent or treat heatstroke. Water, shade, rest and avoiding unsafe exercise are more important. If you suspect heatstroke, start cooling your dog and contact your vet urgently.

How many frozen treats can I give my dog?

That depends on your dog’s size, diet, weight and health. I prefer using part of the dog’s normal food for enrichment rather than adding lots of extra treats.

What can I give my dog when it is too hot to walk?

Try calm scent games, Find It, scatter feeding, a frozen Kong, a lick mat or another simple food search. Your dog may also simply need to rest. Read my guide to 15 things to do instead of walking your dog in a heatwave.

A final thought

Summer dog care does not need to be complicated.

Fresh water.

Shade.

Shorter walks.

Cooler times of day.

Rest.

And perhaps something calm to lick, sniff or work on while the temperature comes down.

You do not need ten recipes.

You do not need every dog cooling product on Amazon.

And you certainly do not need to take your dog for a full walk simply because they normally go out at that time.

Prepare a Kong.

Freeze part of their normal meal.

Give them somewhere comfortable to rest.

Then slow the day down.

Sometimes doing less is the best hot-weather care you can give your dog.

Summer Dog Safety Guide

What to Do Instead of Walking Your Dog in a Heatwave

Hot Weather Dog Kit

Hot Weather Dog Care Myths

Dogs and Heat in a Flat

Ditch the Bowl at Mealtimes

Complete Guide to Kong Toys for Dogs

Dog Care Recommendations

Disclaimer

This guide provides general dog-care information and does not replace advice from your vet. Every dog’s diet, health, teeth and ability to cope with heat are different. Introduce new foods gradually and supervise your dog with new toys and enrichment activities. If your dog is showing signs of overheating or heatstroke, start cooling them and contact a vet urgently.