I’m Kayla, and yes, I gave my cats “ice cream.” Not my pistachio. Cat-friendly stuff. It was a hot weekend, the AC was grumpy, and I wanted a cool treat that wouldn’t upset tiny tummies. I ended up testing three kinds: frozen lickable treats, a store milk for cats turned into pops, and a homemade mix. Spoiler: one of them made my cat hum. Like, a real little hum. If you’re tempted to whip up something chilly yourself, this handy DIY cat popsicles guide walks you through the basics step-by-step.
If you want the full behind-the-scenes play-by-play, I spelled it all out in this cat ice cream diary.
Meet My Taste Test Crew
- Milo (6) — orange, big feelings, eats first, thinks later.
- Poppy (4) — black-and-white, shy, sniffs everything, judges me, then eats.
They’re indoor cats. They get bored. Cold treats turn into a tiny summer party. Long-haired fluffballs—think a majestic white Maine Coon—would probably enjoy the chill factor even more.
By the way, if you’ve ever browsed French cat forums and wondered why people keep saying “minou” when talking about their pets, it’s the Gallic equivalent of “kitty.” For a cheeky and candid cultural deep-dive into how that nickname shows up in everyday life, swing by ce billet plein d’humour — the author quite literally “shows her minou,” and the playful photos plus slang breakdown offer a fun mini-French lesson you can trot out the next time you’re chatting with fellow cat lovers.
What I Tried
-
Frozen Inaba Churu
I squeezed Churu (tuna flavor) into a silicone paw mold and a couple of ice cube trays. Froze them for three hours. I set one cube on a plate. It slid a little. Milo chirped, Poppy stared. -
Whiskas Cat Milk Pops
This is lactose-reduced milk made for cats. I whisked 3 tablespoons with a teaspoon of salmon juice from a can. Poured it into a mini mold and froze it overnight. -
Homemade “Soft Serve”
I blended 2 tablespoons of plain pumpkin purée with 1 Churu pouch and a splash of water. I froze it for an hour so it was slushy, not solid. I stirred it once so it didn’t turn into a brick.
You know what? I didn’t think they’d care. They cared. For even more inspiration, check out these five frozen cat treat recipes that go beyond my basic experiments.
The Winner (by a whisker)
Frozen Churu, tuna flavor. Hands down.
- Milo licked it for seven full minutes. No breaks. Happy paws.
- Poppy circled twice, did a tiny “brrrp,” and joined in.
- No tummy drama later. No messy runny stools. I checked like a hawk.
The texture was perfect. It melted slow but not too slow. It smelled like… well, tuna. The cube got glossy and went a bit slushy at the edges. That’s the sweet spot for cats. It gave them “work” without frustration. Enrichment people would call this “increased engagement.” I call it quiet cats on a hot day. Bliss.
The Close Second
Whiskas Cat Milk pops with salmon juice.
Milo loved it. He licked, then nudged the cube to chase it. Poppy liked it, but she lost interest halfway. I think the smell was softer. Bonus: no lactose drama. I kept the cubes small, like thumbnail size, so it didn’t chill their mouths too much.
Little note: one cube slid under the fridge. Milo stood guard like a cop at a concert. I had to fish it out with a wooden spoon. Not my finest hour.
The Maybe-Not-For-Every-Day
Pumpkin + Churu soft serve.
This one looked cute. Like a tiny swirl. Good fiber, gentle on the gut. The cats liked the taste, but the texture was sticky when it warmed up. I had to wipe Poppy’s whiskers with a damp cloth, and she gave me That Look. It’s the “I’m being wronged” look. On days I’m feeling fancy (or lazy), I grab cat-safe grooming wipes instead of a plain cloth—no hard feelings from the feline critics. Still, great for cats who need a little tummy help.
The Miss (From a Past Try)
I once tried plain goat milk cubes. Looked fancy. My vet later reminded me: goat milk still has lactose. Guess what? Milo had soft stool the next morning. Lesson learned. Use cat milk, not regular milk.
How It Played Out Day-To-Day
Day 1: Heat wave, mid-afternoon. One Churu cube each. They licked side by side like a cartoon.
Day 2: Morning calm snack after the trash truck scare. Half a milk pop each. No crumbs. No fuss.
Day 3: I spread a smear of the soft serve on a lick mat and froze it for 20 minutes. Poppy liked the shallow grooves. It slowed her and kept her cool.
We also tried “Tiki Cat Stix” frozen on a spoon. I left the spoon in the freezer for 10 minutes first, then smeared the Stix. This turned into a “sit-and-lick” station by the window. Quiet cats. Happy me.
Little Tips That Saved Me Cleanup
- Use a flat plate with a lip. Cubes don’t run off the edge.
- Keep the treats tiny. Cat tongues get cold fast.
- Let a cube sit for 60 seconds, so it softens a touch.
- Freeze Churu in thin layers on parchment, then snap into chips. Easy share size.
- Toss the last melty bit if it gets weird. Fresh beats funky.
Safety Stuff I Actually Followed
- No regular ice cream. No chocolate. No xylitol.
- I stick to fish, chicken, pumpkin, or cat milk.
- New thing? Small test first. I watch for loose stool, vomiting, or itch.
- If your cat has kidney or tummy issues, ask your vet first. I did that with Poppy when she had a hairball week. And if they start sneezing or sounding sniffly, remember that cats catch colds too—I learned the hard way and wrote about it here.
I also double-checked summer treat guidelines on Pet Care Services to be sure I wasn’t missing any hidden no-nos.
What Surprised Me
Milo made a soft humming sound while licking the Churu cube. He does that with roasted chicken sometimes, but never with a cold treat. It was… oddly sweet. Also, the cold treat seemed to help during fireworks. Not magic, but the licking gave them something to do besides stress.
Pros and Cons From My Kitchen Floor
Pros
- Easy summer enrichment without heavy calories.
- Good for slow, calm licking time.
- Budget-friendly if you’re already a Churu family.
Cons
- Some mixes get sticky fast. Whiskers need a wipe.
- Cubes can slide and hide. I now block the fridge gap with a towel.
- Smell is, um, fish-forward. Fair warning.
Final Verdict
Cat ice cream works, as long as it’s cat-safe. Frozen Churu cubes are my top pick. Whiskas Cat Milk pops come next. The pumpkin mix is nice for gentle tummy days, but a bit messy.
Would I keep a tray of “cat ice cream” in my freezer all summer? Yes. On hot afternoons, I give each cat one small cube. It buys me seven quiet minutes, and sometimes a happy hum. That’s worth it.
If you try it, start tiny, watch your cat, and let the treat soften a bit. Simple, fun, and honestly, kind of adorable. Who knew a chilly fish cube could bring so much peace?
Side note: once the cats are snoozing off their frozen treats and you’re left with a quiet house, you might be in the mood for your own grown-up adventure; exploring the local Bluffton swingers scene can introduce you to open-minded couples and singles—it offers event calendars, venue rundowns, and first-timer etiquette tips so you can see if the vibe matches your comfort level.