Canonical: https://coopersdogtreats.com/blogs/news/frosty-paws-vs-homemade-pupsicles # Frosty Paws vs Homemade Frozen Dog Treats: Cost and Ingredients - **By:** Alex Willen - **Published:** 2026-08-23 - **Updated:** 2026-09-10 **TL;DR:** Frosty Paws is the grocery freezer aisle's best known frozen dog treat, four cups for about $6.69, a whey and soy flour base with no added sugar per the label. That works out to roughly $1.67 a cup. Our Pupsicle Mix is a freeze-dried, mix-with-water powder, about $12.49 a jar for roughly 25 treats, around 20 calories each; the Chicken & Sweet Potato and Turkey & Cinnamon flavors are dairy-free and soy-free (Beef & Cheddar carries dairy). Frosty Paws wins on zero prep and grocery-store availability. Homemade treats made with our mix win on portion control and, in those two flavors, skipping dairy and soy entirely. Here's the label-by-label breakdown. Frosty Paws has been the default frozen dog treat since the late 1970s, the kind of thing you grab off a grocery store shelf without thinking twice. We make dog treat mixes, so people ask us how a homemade Pupsicle actually compares, on ingredients, price, and what you're really getting per treat. Here's the answer. ## What's on the Frosty Paws Label Frosty Paws Original comes in a 4-count box, 13 fluid ounces total, about 3.25 fluid ounces per cup. The label lists: water, whey, soy flour, coconut oil, maltodextrin, polydextrose, monoglycerides, minerals (dicalcium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, ferrous fumarate), guar gum, vitamins (vitamin C, B6, B1, B12), and natural flavor. The box discloses milk and soy as allergens. Marketing claims on the box: "no sugar added," described as a source of "high-quality protein," a vegetarian formulation, fortified with vitamins and minerals, no artificial colors or flavors. We weren't able to confirm a calorie count for Frosty Paws on any page we could reach, Purina's own site blocked our attempts, so we're leaving calories out rather than guess. Price runs about $6.69 for the 4-count box at most retailers, with a range from $5.38 to $6.99 depending on where you shop. That's roughly $1.67 a cup, or about $0.51 a fluid ounce. Frosty Paws also sells a Peanut Butter flavor. Per the label, it swaps in peanut butter syrup for some of the dairy: water, whey, soy flour, maltodextrin, coconut oil, peanut butter syrup (peanuts, corn oil, salt), monoglycerides, minerals, guar gum, vitamins, and natural flavor. Same dairy and soy allergens as Original, just a different flavor lean. ## What's in Our Pupsicle Mix Our Pupsicle Mix is a freeze-dried, just-add-water powder. You mix it with water, pour it into a mold or ice cube tray, and freeze it, about a minute of hands-on work. A 4.3 ounce jar is $12.49 and makes roughly 25 treats, around 20 calories each. The [Chicken & Sweet Potato](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/chicken-and-sweet-potato-pupsicle-mix) flavor lists freeze dried chicken, whole wheat flour, sweet potato powder, and whole egg protein, four ingredients, no dairy and no soy in this flavor. The line as a whole skips added sugar, added salt, preservatives and artificial flavors, and everything is sourced and made in the USA. ## Price and Ingredients, Side by Side | | **Cooper's Pupsicle Mix** | Frosty Paws | | --- | --- | --- | | Price | **$12.49 per jar (~25 treats)** | $6.69 per 4-count box | | Price per treat | **~$0.50** | ~$1.67 | | Calories per treat | **~20** | Not published | | Dairy | **None (Chicken & Sweet Potato flavor)** | Yes, whey (contains milk) | | Soy | **None** | Yes, soy flour (contains soy) | | Prep | **Add water, freeze (~1 minute hands-on)** | Ready to eat, frozen already | | Form until use | **Shelf-stable dry mix** | Sold frozen, needs freezer space | By price per treat, ours costs less. But that's only half the story, Frosty Paws is a bigger single serving, a whole 3.25 fluid ounce cup, versus a small mold-sized Pupsicle, so you're not comparing identical portions. What the table does show clearly: our Chicken & Sweet Potato skips both dairy and soy, and you know the calorie count going in. ## Serving Size and the Calorie Budget Our Pupsicle treats run about 20 calories each, so a medium dog could have three or four in a day and still have room for other treats. A single Frosty Paws cup, being a full 3.25 fluid ounces, reads more like a dessert-sized portion than a training-sized treat, worth keeping in mind for small dogs especially. ## Making Frozen Treats at Home The steps: mix the powder with water per the jar's instructions, pour it into a silicone mold or ice cube tray, tap out the air bubbles, and freeze for 2 to 3 hours. Pop them out and store in a labeled freezer bag for up to about 2 months. No cooking, no oven, nothing to shop for beyond water. My dog Maple treats mold-popping like a scheduled event, she hears the tray hit the counter and posts up in the kitchen until treats show up in her bowl. She's not a picky critic, she'd eat a paper towel if we let her, but she's a reliable check on whether a batch actually froze solid before we hand it over. ## Flavor Options on Both Sides Frosty Paws comes in two flavors, Original and Peanut Butter, both built on the same whey-and-soy base, so switching flavors doesn't change the allergen picture. Our Pupsicle Mix line has more range: Chicken & Sweet Potato and Turkey & Cinnamon are both dairy-free and soy-free, Beef & Cheddar includes cheddar cheese powder (so it does carry dairy, unlike the other two), and Lamb & Spinach is our novel-protein option built for sensitive stomachs. If dairy is the concern, Chicken & Sweet Potato or Turkey & Cinnamon are the flavors to start with. ## Where to Actually Buy Each One Frosty Paws is a grocery-freezer product, most major chains carry it, and price is the biggest source of variation store to store. Our Pupsicle Mix ships from our own site, and because it's a shelf-stable dry mix until you add water, there's no cold-chain shipping problem and no freezer aisle trip required to restock. ## Buy Frosty Paws If... - You want zero prep, grab it at the grocery store and hand it straight over. - Your dog handles dairy and soy fine with no issues. - You want a bigger, dessert-sized treat for an occasional hot day or special occasion. - You don't want to own a mold or free up freezer tray space. ## Make Your Own With Pupsicle Mix If... - Your dog has a dairy or soy sensitivity, both are in Frosty Paws; our Chicken & Sweet Potato and Turkey & Cinnamon flavors have neither (Beef & Cheddar does carry dairy, so skip that one). - You want to know the calorie count before you serve it. - You're feeding a small dog where portion size actually matters. - You'd rather keep a shelf-stable jar on hand than freezer space taken up until you need it. ## The Cooper's Treats Approach Frosty Paws has earned its spot in the freezer aisle honestly, it's been there since the 1970s and plenty of dogs love it. We built the Pupsicle Mix for a different situation: a calorie-labeled treat you make in small batches instead of buying frozen cups by the case, with dairy-free and soy-free flavors if that's what your dog needs. If dairy is the issue, start with a jar of [Turkey & Cinnamon](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/turkey-and-cinnamon-treat-mix); if it isn't, the [Pupsicle Starter Kit](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/pupsicle-starter-kit) comes with mix and a mold to get your first batch going. For a broader look at what else is out there, our [Frosty Paws alternatives guide](https://coopersdogtreats.com/blogs/news/frosty-paws-alternatives) covers more store-bought and homemade options, and our [full ingredient breakdown of Frosty Paws](https://coopersdogtreats.com/blogs/news/whats-in-the-frosty-paws-recipe) goes deeper on the label itself. *If your dog has had loose stools after a dairy-based treat, whey or milk is the likely cause, and Frosty Paws is a whey-based product. Our Chicken & Sweet Potato or Turkey & Cinnamon mix has neither.* [Back to blog](https://coopersdogtreats.com/blogs/news) Shop ## Start with a kit, refill with jars Start with a kit to get everything you need to make Pupsicles in one box. Once you know your dog loves 'em, we've got refill jars ready for you. ### Start with a kit [All kits](https://coopersdogtreats.com/collections/starter-kits) [Start here Pupsicle Starter KitTwo flavors of mix and the paw and bone mold. About 50 treats, or 75 in Grain Free.From $29.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/pupsicle-starter-kit)[Baked Biscuit Starter KitTwo jars of biscuit mix and three bone cookie cutters. Bake at 300F for 45 minutes.$29.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/baked-biscuit-starter-kit)[The gift one Doggie Deluxe BoxFour jars, two molds, a lick mat, three cookie cutters and a plush toy in one box.$59.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/doggie-deluxe-box) ### Then just buy mix [All mixes](https://coopersdogtreats.com/collections/pupsicle-mix) [Chicken and Sweet Potato Pupsicle MixFour ingredients. The one to start with if your dog is a fussy eater.From $12.49](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/chicken-and-sweet-potato-pupsicle-mix)[Most popular Beef and Cheddar Pupsicle MixThe one most dogs go loudest for. Comes in Grain Free too.From $12.49](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/beef-and-cheddar-treat-mix)[Turkey and Cinnamon Pupsicle MixLeaner protein, a little cinnamon, and a kitchen that smells like fall.From $12.49](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/turkey-and-cinnamon-treat-mix)[Lamb and Spinach Pupsicle MixFreeze dried lamb and spinach, for the dog that has worked through the usual proteins.From $12.49](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/lamb-and-spinach-pupsicle-mix)[Beef and Cheddar Baked Biscuit MixA crunchy biscuit instead of a frozen one. About 30 quarter-sized treats a jar.$12.49](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/beef-and-cheddar-baked-biscuit-mix)[Turkey and Cinnamon Baked Biscuit MixSame short list, baked. Roll it out, cut it into bones, 45 minutes in the oven.$12.49](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/turkey-and-cinnamon-baked-biscuit-mix) ### Molds, mats and snacks [All accessories](https://coopersdogtreats.com/collections/accessories) [Freeze-Dried Beef MeatballsReady to eat, no mixing. Good for training pockets and for topping a bowl.From $15.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/freeze-dried-beef-meatballs)[Makes it last Lick MatPour the mix in, freeze it, and one batch turns into a long quiet stretch.$11.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/lick-mat)[Paw and Bone Silicone Molds (Set of 2)A spare set so there's always a batch waiting in the freezer.$9.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/paw-and-bone-silicone-molds-set-of-2)[Star Molds (Set of 2)Smaller shapes than the paw and bone mold, which suits smaller dogs.$9.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/star-molds-set-of-2)[Set of 3 Bone Shaped Cookie CuttersStainless steel, three sizes, for the Baked Biscuit Mix or any rolled dough.$9.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/set-of-3-bone-shaped-cookie-cutters)[Squeaky Steak ToyCanvas, shaped like a steak, with a squeaker that takes some finding.$8.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/squeaky-steak-toy)[Makes it last Pupsicle Accessory PackThe lick mat, the Honey Pot and the Soda Can Treat Holder together.$37.99](https://coopersdogtreats.com/products/pupsicle-accessory-pack) Our guarantee ## If your dog turns it down, we pay you back We know your dog will love these, but on the very slim chance they don't, we'll refund you. [Read the guarantee](https://coopersdogtreats.com/pages/money-back-guarantee)