Let Me Tell You Why This Works
Want to know what made my 8-year-old Golden Retriever Amber forget about every other treat in existence? I discovered these omega-3 packed frozen herring treats during a conversation with my vet about joint health, and now Amber literally starts doing his full-body happy dance the moment he hears me opening the freezer door. Here’s the thing—I used to think fish treats were too fancy for homemade dog goodies until I learned that herring is basically a superfood for dogs. These creamy frozen cubes combine nutrient-dense herring with hydrating chicken broth and fresh carrots, and honestly, watching Amber savor each icy bite while knowing I’m supporting his brain health and joint function makes every minute of prep absolutely worth it.
What Makes This So Tail-Wagging Good
Here’s the magic behind these omega-3 powerhouse treats—fresh herring delivers incredible amounts of brain-boosting fatty acids that dogs absolutely crave, plus the creamy yogurt creates this satisfying frozen texture that’s perfect for hot days. The secret to driving dogs wild is that perfect combination of rich fish flavor with the cooling relief of frozen treats that makes every cube feel like gourmet nutrition. What makes this irresistible to pups is how the low-sodium chicken broth adds savory depth while the carrots provide natural sweetness and crunch. It’s honestly way superior to store-bought frozen treats because you’re giving them actual omega-3 nutrition instead of artificial fish flavoring and empty calories.
What You’ll Need (And My Dog-Safe Shopping Tips)
Good fresh herring fillets are absolutely crucial here—I finally found a fishmonger who orders wild-caught herring specifically for pet parents after my grocery store kept disappointing me with fishy-smelling options (way more affordable than salmon and incredibly nutritious). Don’t skip the freshness check; herring should smell like the ocean, never “fishy” or off.
Low-sodium chicken broth works beautifully for flavor and hydration, but make sure you read labels carefully because regular broth has dangerous sodium levels for dogs (completely safe when it’s the low-sodium version). Plain unsweetened yogurt adds probiotics and creamy texture—I always grab Greek yogurt because it’s thicker and Amber loves the tanginess.
Fresh carrots should be finely grated for even distribution and natural sweetness without hard chunks. The olive oil provides healthy fats that support coat health and help with the omega-3 absorption (learned this from my vet who explained how fats work together).
For the freshest fish, I love working with local fish markets where they understand the importance of quality ingredients for our furry family members.
Let’s Make This Pup-Perfect Treat Together
Start by making sure your 8 oz of herring fillets are completely cooked and thoroughly deboned—I usually poach them gently in plain water until they flake easily, then cool completely and check meticulously for any remaining bones. My vet taught me this trick: properly cooked herring should flake apart easily and have no translucent areas.
Now for the fun part (Amber will start his hopeful kitchen supervision). Combine your cooked, deboned herring, 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1/4 cup plain yogurt, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in your blender.
Here’s my secret for perfect frozen dog treats: blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy—no chunks should remain because we want these to freeze evenly and be easy for dogs to enjoy.
Don’t be me—I used to think slightly chunky was fine until I realized how much better smooth treats freeze and how much easier they are for dogs to lick and crunch. Stir in your grated carrot by hand until it’s evenly distributed throughout the creamy fish mixture.
Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or silicone molds, filling each compartment about 3/4 full to leave room for expansion during freezing. Every Golden Retriever has different preferences, but Amber loves when these freeze into perfect cube shapes that he can really attack with enthusiasm.
Freeze for at least 4 hours or until completely solid—fish treats need to be frozen through for that satisfying texture Amber goes crazy for. Pop them out once frozen and store in freezer-safe bags for easy access during hot weather.
Try our salmon sweet potato ice pops for another omega-rich frozen option your pup will demolish on summer days.
When Things Go Sideways (And They Will)
Treats came out too soft and won’t hold together? Your freezer might not be cold enough, or you used too much liquid—that’s common and happens to everyone. I’ve learned to freeze these for at least 6 hours if my freezer runs warm.
Mixture seems too thick to pour into molds? When this happens (and it will with thick yogurt), just add chicken broth one tablespoon at a time until it flows smoothly. Don’t stress, just aim for a consistency that pours but still has body.
If your dog seems overwhelmed by the fishy flavor like Amber did initially (some dogs need time to adjust to new proteins), try using less herring and more yogurt next time for a milder fish taste. I always double-check that my herring is completely deboned because fish bones can be dangerous for dogs.
Ways to Mix It Up
When Amber needs extra joint support (great for his 8-year-old bones), I’ll substitute some of the chicken broth with bone broth for added collagen and minerals. For special training sessions, I love making mini versions in smaller ice cube trays that are perfect for rapid-fire rewards—they’re adorable and Amber can have more without overdoing the rich fish content.
My brain-boosting power version includes a tiny bit of coconut oil instead of olive oil for additional healthy fats, though that’s totally optional and changes the flavor slightly. Sometimes I add finely chopped fresh parsley for breath-freshening benefits, but that makes them less smooth.
What Makes This Recipe Special
This recipe works so incredibly well because herring provides some of the highest concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids available in fish, specifically supporting brain health, joint function, and coat quality. What sets this apart from other frozen dog treat recipes is the combination of probiotics from yogurt with the omega-3s from herring, creating treats that support both digestive and neurological health. It’s honestly superior to store-bought frozen treats because you’re giving your dog the kind of concentrated nutrition that supports cognitive function, reduces inflammation, and promotes overall wellness in a format they absolutely love.
Questions I Always Get
Can puppies eat these frozen herring treats?
Absolutely! Fish is excellent for growing puppies, just make sure the cubes aren’t too large for little mouths and always supervise puppies with frozen treats. I usually break regular cubes in half for puppies under 6 months.
How long do these homemade treats stay fresh?
Most homemade frozen treats with fish last about 2 months in the freezer when stored properly in airtight containers. I usually make big batches and store them in freezer bags for easy access during hot weather.
What if my dog has fish allergies?
Fish allergies in dogs are actually quite rare, but if your dog has sensitivities, you could substitute the herring with cooked chicken or turkey while keeping the yogurt and carrot base for probiotics and vitamins.
Can I use frozen herring instead of fresh?
You bet! Frozen herring works perfectly and is often more affordable. Just thaw it completely, cook thoroughly, and debone carefully before using in the recipe.
How many treats can I give my dog per day?
I follow the 10% rule my vet taught me—treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. For Amber’s size, that’s about 3-4 cubes per day, though I sometimes give him more on really hot days for hydration.
What’s the best way to serve these frozen treats?
I usually give them to Amber outside or on a towel since they can get messy as they melt. Some dogs prefer to lick them slowly, while others (like Amber) prefer to crunch right through them.
Are these treats safe for senior dogs like my 8-year-old?
Perfect! The omega-3s are especially beneficial for senior dogs’ joint health and cognitive function, and the soft texture as they melt is gentle on older teeth. The anti-inflammatory properties of herring are particularly great for aging dogs.
One Last Thing
I couldn’t resist sharing this recipe because watching Amber’s pure excitement when I bring out these omega-packed herring treats while knowing I’m supporting his brain health and joint function with every frozen bite just fills my dog-parent heart with joy. The best dog treat days are when you can spoil your furry family member with something that keeps them cool and delivers the kind of premium nutrition that supports their long-term health and vitality.
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Frozen Herring Treats
Description
Omega-3 packed frozen cubes that combine brain-boosting herring with creamy yogurt – premium nutrition that keeps your pup cool and healthy
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Freeze Time: 4+ hours | Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes | Makes: 12 frozen cubes
Ingredients
- 8 oz fresh herring fillets, cooked and thoroughly deboned (omega-3 powerhouse)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (hydrating flavor base)
- 1/4 cup plain unsweetened yogurt (probiotics and creamy texture)
- 1 small carrot, finely grated (natural sweetness and vitamins)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (healthy fats for coat health)
Instructions
- Cook herring fillets completely in plain water until they flake easily, then cool and debone thoroughly—check meticulously for any remaining bones.
- Combine cooked herring, low-sodium chicken broth, plain yogurt, and olive oil in a blender and blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Stir in grated carrot by hand until evenly distributed throughout the creamy fish mixture.
- Pour mixture into ice cube trays or silicone molds, filling each compartment about 3/4 full to allow for expansion.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours or until completely solid—they need to be frozen through for perfect texture.
- Pop out frozen treats and store in freezer-safe bags or containers for easy access.
- Always supervise your pup while they enjoy these omega-rich cooling treats.
Notes:
- Always use low-sodium broth—regular broth has dangerous sodium levels for dogs
- Amber prefers these completely frozen, but they’re great slightly softened too
- Always supervise dogs with frozen treats to prevent choking
Storage Tips:
- Store in freezer in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months
- Pop out of trays once frozen for easier storage and access
- Don’t let them sit out too long—they melt quickly and can get messy
What Makes This Recipe Special:
These treats deliver concentrated omega-3 fatty acids from herring for brain health and joint support, probiotics from yogurt for digestive wellness, and beta-carotene from carrots for immune function. The combination creates nutritionally complete frozen treats that support cognitive health, reduce inflammation, and promote overall wellness while providing cooling relief.
Mix It Up (Dog-Safe Variations):
- Joint Support Version: Substitute some chicken broth with bone broth for added collagen and minerals
- Training Size Mini Cubes: Use smaller ice cube trays for bite-sized training rewards
- Coconut Oil Version: Replace olive oil with coconut oil for additional healthy fats and antimicrobial benefits
