Fur-friendly, fuss-free recipes your feline will purr over — from tuna pops to lactose-free cream licks. Plus, a special mention for our cool canine companions!
If you’re a cat parent, you’ll know that August 8th — International Cat Day — is the purrfect excuse to spoil your whiskered friends with safe treats for cats that keep them cool and healthy. And with summer in full swing, what better way to celebrate than with some icy, homemade treats they can safely enjoy?
Our recipes are designed with cats’ unique dietary needs in mind, using safe, vet-approved ingredients that will keep them cool without upsetting their tummies.
And if your household is a mixed bag of meows and woofs? We’ve also got a nod to our dog-friendly frozen recipes here: 👉🏽 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for Cool Canines
📌 In This Article, You’ll Find:
✅ Why frozen treats need to be cat-safe
✅ Four easy, whisker-licking frozen recipes for felines
✅ Did You Know? Fun feline facts about food and heat
✅ How to adapt these recipes for multi-pet households
✅ Link to dog-safe recipes for your canine companions
✅ Final scoop wrap-up
🐾 Celebrating International Cat Day
Every year on August 8th, cat lovers across the globe unite for International Cat Day — a world celebration dedicated to honouring our feline friends. It’s a day to appreciate their charm, companionship, and quirky personalities, while also raising awareness about their health and well-being.
International Cat Day is the perfect time to spoil your feline friend — and with a few simple recipes, you can make safe treats for cats right in your kitchen. From cooling tuna pops to creamy (lactose-free) licks, these pet-friendly frozen snacks are a delicious way to keep your kitty cool.
From the elegant Siamese and fluffy Persian, to the playful Maine Coon and sleek British Shorthair, cats come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments — each with their own unique ways of stealing our hearts.
And what better way to mark the occasion than by treating them to something delicious, safe, and made with love?
This purr-fect day is the ideal opportunity to whip up a few feline-friendly frozen treats your kitty will adore (and maybe share a nod to our beloved canines, too).
🐾 Why Cat Treats Need Extra Care
Cats aren’t just small dogs — their digestive systems work very differently. Many human treats (and even some dog treats) can be toxic to felines. That’s why it’s so important to focus on safe treats for cats and completely avoid toxic foods for cats like onion, garlic, or chocolate.
They also don’t process dairy well — meaning traditional ice cream is off the menu.
Instead, we use lactose-free milk, low-sodium fish, and pet-safe fruits to create safe, cooling options.
💡 Did you know: Cats can’t taste sweetness — their taste buds simply aren’t wired for it, which is why fruity treats should be mild and used sparingly.
🐾 Safe Treats for Cats & Toxic Foods to Avoid
Knowing which foods are safe treats for cats — and which are dangerous — is essential for keeping your furry friend healthy.
While some human foods like plain cooked chicken or pumpkin, can make great occasional snacks, others such as onion, garlic, or chocolate, are toxic foods for cats and should be avoided completely.
We’ve pulled together a quick guide so you know exactly what’s safe to share as safe treats for cats — and which ingredients are toxic foods for cats that must be avoided at all costs — keep this handy for everyday feeding and treat-making.
Food Type | Examples | Safe or Unsafe? | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Cooked Meats | Chicken, turkey, lean beef | Safe | Must be plain — no seasoning, garlic, or onion |
Fish | Tuna, salmon, sardines | Safe (in moderation) | Best if cooked; avoid high-mercury fish long-term |
Dairy | Milk, cream, cheese | Unsafe (for most cats) | Most cats are lactose intolerant — opt for lactose-free alternatives |
Fruit | Blueberries, watermelon (seedless) | Safe (in small amounts) | Only as a treat — avoid grapes, raisins, citrus |
Vegetables | Pumpkin, carrots, peas | Safe | Cooked and mashed is easiest for cats to digest |
Toxic Foods | Onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, alcohol | Unsafe | Can cause serious illness — avoid entirely |
4 Paw-sivitely Cool Frozen Treat Recipes for Cats
Each of these frozen treats for cats is made with safe, vet-approved ingredients, so you can celebrate International Cat Day without worrying about harmful foods.
❗ Just remember — not every human snack is suitable for cats. While these frozen recipes are made from safe treats for cats, always check ingredients first to avoid toxic foods for cats that can cause serious illness.
1️⃣ Tuna & Catnip Ice Pops
Prep time: 5 mins + 2 hrs freeze | Yields: 6 small pops
Ingredients:
- 1 tin tuna in spring water (unsalted)
- 100ml water
- Pinch of dried catnip
Method:
- Blend tuna, water, and catnip until smooth.
- Pour into silicone ice cube trays.
- Freeze until solid and serve one cube as a special treat.
2️⃣ Lactose-Free Cream Licks
Prep time: 5 mins + 2 hrs freeze | Yields: 4–6 licks
Ingredients:
- 100ml lactose-free milk (or special cat milk)
- 1 tsp pure pumpkin purée (optional)
Method:
- Stir pumpkin purée into milk.
- Pour into small silicone moulds or ice cube trays.
- Freeze and let your cat enjoy a lick or two at a time.
3️⃣ Salmon & Chicken Broth Slushies
Prep time: 5 mins + 1–2 hrs freeze | Yields: 4 portions
Ingredients:
- 50g cooked salmon (plain, no seasoning)
- 150ml low-sodium chicken broth (pet-safe, onion & garlic free)
Method:
- Blend salmon with broth until smooth.
- Pour into shallow dishes and freeze until slushy.
- Serve in small spoonfuls on a saucer.
4️⃣ Watermelon Cubes (Cat-Safe Fruit Treat)
Prep time: 5 mins + 2 hrs freeze | Yields: 8 cubes
Ingredients:
- 100g seedless watermelon (fresh, deseeded)
- 50ml water
Method:
- Blend watermelon and water until smooth.
- Pour into paw-shaped silicone moulds.
- Freeze and serve as an occasional hydrating treat.
💡 Did you Know: Hydration is key in summer — frozen treats can help boost their water intake, especially for cats who aren’t keen on drinking from their bowls.
🐶 A Quick Shout-Out to the Cool Canines
If you’ve got dogs too, you’ll want to check out our Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for Dogs.
From peanut butter pops to fruity pup-sicles, you can whip up summer-safe treats for everyone in the pack.
🐾 Have You Tried Making Frozen Treats for Cats Yet?
We’d love to see your own cat-friendly frozen dessert creations! Whether it’s a tuna ice pop, a lactose-free cream lick, or a playful frozen snack for your cool canine too, share your whisker-licking recipes with us. You might just inspire another pet lover — and get featured in our next post! 🐱🍦
📸 Tag us on Instagram or Pinterest using #frostedfusions for a chance to be featured!
The Final Scoop
International Cat Day is about celebrating your furry companions in the safest, happiest way possible. By sticking to safe treats for cats and steering clear of toxic foods for cats, you can ensure every lick, crunch, and nibble is both tasty and healthy.
Whether your kitty prefers the savoury kick of tuna, the creamy comfort of lactose-free milk, or a hydrating fruit cube, there’s something here to make them purr with delight.
So grab your blender, pop on a summer playlist, and get freezing — your feline friends will thank you with every happy lick.
We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Paw-sitively Cool Frozen Treats for Cats – Safe Treats for Cats & Cool Canines Too! – and that it’s inspired you to whip up a batch of fur-friendly frozen goodies for your feline (and maybe your pup too!). Whether you’re making tuna pops, lactose-free cream licks, or hydrating watermelon cubes, these treats are a fun and safe way to keep your pets cool and happy.
If you have any questions, tips, or want to share your own pet-friendly frozen recipe ideas, drop us a comment below — we’d love to hear from fellow pet lovers.
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Hi Leahrae, Thank you so much for your comment, I’m so glad you enjoyed the variety of recipes that we shared in…