Just about everyone loves eating ice cream—what’s better than a cool, sweet treat on a hot day? When you make your next trip to the local creamery, you might be wondering if it’s okay to buy your dog a pupsicle. In other words, is it safe for your dog to eat ice cream?
Potential Health Concerns:
The main takeaway is that ice cream isn’t a healthy snack option for dogs. While the occasional small amount of vanilla ice cream or mango sorbet probably won’t send your dog to the vet, ice cream shouldn’t be a regular treat for your dog. Adult dogs don’t have stomachs that are really ready to handle lactose. While they can digest milk as puppies (they’re mammals, after all), they really can’t digest milk as adults. This inability to deal with dairy can lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea, and vomiting. In most cases, your dog will probably just be a bit gassy. But if you give a small dog a lot of ice cream, your dog’s reaction to the dairy can be more serious. Also, dogs with diabetes or weight issues should stay far away from ice cream.
Warning"
The high levels of sugar in ice cream are also no good for your dog. Even “sugarless” ice cream is dangerous because xylitol is toxic to dogs. In fact, ice cream with any sort of artificial sweetener is probably a no-go for your pup. Many flavors of ice cream are also potentially dangerous for dogs. Chocolate is dangerous because dogs cannot digest theobromine. Coffee and green tea ice cream are both dangerous due to caffeine levels. And any ice cream with grapes or raisins is potentially dangerous and can cause acute kidney failure at even small doses. Finally, some nuts are dangerous for dogs. Macadamia nuts are dangerous for your dog—though scientists don’t know why. Pecans, walnuts, and almonds aren’t toxic for dogs but are too high in fat to be healthy.
How to Safely Serve Ice Cream to Your Dog?
If you do decide to give your dog ice cream, stick with fruit-flavored ice cream or plain vanilla. Be sure to feed small amounts at first to make sure that it doesn’t upset your dog’s stomach. You’ll probably see symptoms, like bloating, gas, vomiting, gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea, within two hours if your dog’s stomach isn’t going to agree with the dairy. If you’d like to give your dog a cooling treat to sample during the summer, consider making homemade ice cream for your pup. Pureeing bananas, peanut butter, and a bit of yogurt (which has less lactose than ice cream) will create a delicious treat that you can freeze at home. You can also add in some oats, apples, or other healthy, dog-friendly ingredients. Vegan “nice cream” and frozen yogurt are both potentially better for your dog as well, as they often have less sugar and are lower in (or free of) dairy. As with any rich new treat, start out by feeding your pup just a little bit. Wait a few hours to see how she responds to the food before giving her more.
What to Do If Your Pup Ate Ice Cream on Its Own?
If your dog ate ice cream without your “permission,” try to stay calm. Figure out what flavor the ice cream was and how much your dog ate. If your dog didn’t eat any dangerous ingredients, they are probably going to be okay. They might be gassy or need to go ■■■■■ a few extra times, though, so you might want to spend the afternoon in the yard with them. But if your dog ate ice cream with artificial sweeteners, macadamia nuts, coffee, chocolate, grapes, or raisins, you might have a serious situation on hand. Animal poison control can help you determine what to do next. That said, don’t delay going to the vet. If possible, have someone else drive while you call poison control or vice versa. The bottom line is that, as a general rule, ice cream isn’t a good treat for dogs. Peanut butter, banana, and yogurt mash can be a delicious frozen treat instead. There are simply too many potentially risky ingredients in ice cream for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?
A wise person once said, “The best time for ice cream is always.” Most people love ice cream, and so do our dogs. But is ice cream really a harmless treat for dogs, or will it cause a major bellyache? Unfortunately, although it may be tempting to share your cone with your four-legged friend, it’s best to avoid giving ice cream to dogs.
Why Dogs Can’t Eat Ice Cream?
The first problem with ice cream is that dogs’ bodies are not designed to digest milk after they are weaned, as puppies. According to Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer, puppies have the enzyme they need to break down their mother’s milk. After they are weaned, however, their bodies produce less lactase. “Many adult dogs are lactose intolerant to varying degrees, which prevents them from properly digesting milk products,” says Dr. Klein. “If you feed these dogs milk products, they can experience anything from severe to mild gastrointestinal discomfort – loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or gas. Dairy products with high fat content can also cause pancreatitis in dogs.”
Food Allergies:
Dogs can suffer from a variety of food allergies, including experiencing allergic reactions to milk and dairy products such as ice cream. These allergies are a reaction to the proteins found in milk products and can manifest as vomiting and diarrhea and/or result in red, itchy skin rashes.
Obesity:
Another problem with ice cream is that it is loaded with sugar, and feeding your dog sugary foods can lead to weight gain and obesity, which can cause other health problems. Even if the ice cream container says it’s sugarless, you need to be careful to read the label to make sure that no xylitol is used, as this sweetener is extremely toxic to dogs.
Toxic Flavors:
The final problem with ice cream is that some flavors may actually be dangerous for dogs. Chocolate, for example, can be toxic for dogs because their bodies cannot efficiently process components of the chocolate, which contains theobromine and caffeine.
Alternatives to Ice Cream:
High-quality dog foods contain enough calcium and other nutrients to help promote strong, healthy bones for your dog, so adding calcium to the diet of an adult dog with milk or ice cream is not at all necessary. While some dogs can tolerate a small amount of plain vanilla ice cream as a treat, there are other options you can give them that are not as likely to cause digestive problems. If you want to give your dog a cold treat, freezing some fat-free plain yogurt might be a better choice. Because yogurt is fermented, it contains less lactose, so it’s easier for dogs to digest. Don’t feed your dog a commercial frozen yogurt, since it will be loaded with sugar. Use caution because although yogurt is easier for dogs to digest, not all canines can tolerate it. Another good treat for dogs is “nice cream.” All you need are two ripe bananas and a food processor or blender. Blend the bananas until creamy, and freeze them. This fruit-based dessert is safe for dogs to eat, and provides some nutritional value. Bananas are high in potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and fiber. They do contain sugar, so feed your dog bananas in moderation. Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s has introduced a frozen nondairy dessert specially created for dogs. The company’s Doggie Desserts are icy treats made with sunflower seed butter. They come in two flavors: Rosie’s Batch made with pumpkin and mini cookies and Pontch’s Mix made with peanut butter and pretzel swirls. So whenever you’re thinking that there’s always room for ice cream for you and your best pal, keep your dog’s health in mind and try one of these or some other alternative snacks. You may enjoy them, too.
Whether you’re enjoying a cone of soft serve on a hot day or a bowl of frozen custard in front of the television, chances are good that your pooch is by your side begging for a lick. But, is ice cream safe for dogs to eat? There is no clear-cut answer to this question because it depends on the ingredients of the specific ice cream you’re eating. The basic ingredients of ice cream—milk, cream, and sugar— are not toxic to dogs. There are a number of other ingredients, however, that can be added to ice cream that can make it unsafe for your pet to eat.
Chocolate:
Chocolate contains two compounds—theobromine and caffeine—that make it one of the most common toxicities treated at veterinary hospitals. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of the toxins, but in general, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the concentration of toxic ingredients. Ice cream that contains chocolate in any form—flavoring, chips, chunks, or swirl—is strictly off-limits to dogs. Chocolate toxicity can lead to:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle tremors
- Increased body temperature
- Hyperactivity
- Restlessness
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Increased blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Death
Coffee or espresso beans:
Coffee beans contain high levels of caffeine, which can cause symptoms similar to those of chocolate toxicity. A few licks of coffee-flavored ice cream probably won’t contain enough caffeine to cause toxicity, but if it contains coffee beans (or, even worse, chocolate-covered coffee beans), your pet could be in real danger. High levels of caffeine can lead to seizures, collapse, and death.
Macadamia nuts:
Occasionally added to ice cream, macadamia nuts can affect muscle and nerve function in dogs. Although toxicity is generally mild to moderate, affected pets may exhibit: - Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Muscle tremors
- Hind limb weakness
The high fat content of the nuts can also lead to the development of pancreatitis a painful inflammation of the pancreas, which is the ■■■■■ responsible for producing digestive enzymes.
Xylitol
An artificial sweetener, xylitol is added to many sugar-free food products, including ice cream. If ingested by dogs, xylitol causes a surge of insulin to be released, leading to a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. The resulting hypoglycemia can cause weakness, vomiting, and seizures. Xylitol can also cause liver failure.
Other concerns with feeding ice cream:
Even if your ice cream does not contain toxic additives, it typically will contain lactose. Dogs are not commonly fed cow’s milk products, so they don’t produce the enzymes to digest it. Eating a significant amount of ice cream is likely to cause indigestion and diarrhea. Ice cream is also high in sugar, which is not healthy for your pup.
Tips for feeding your dog ice cream:
Can’t resist those puppy dog eyes? If you want to share your ice cream with your dog, follow these tips:
- Only give your dog ice cream that does not contain chocolate. Plain vanilla is a safe bet.
- Never share sugar-free ice cream, since it could contain xylitol.
- Make sure your ice cream does not contain macadamia nuts or coffee beans.
- Don’t feed your pet a large amount of ice cream. Giving your dog a lick or two is OK, but feeding a whole bowl is probably a bad idea.
Alternative cool treats for your dog:
Here are many other ways you can treat your dog to a cool delicacy. Try these ideas:
- Fill ice cube trays with one of the following and freeze:
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Canned pumpkin
- Peanut butter and mashed banana (be sure to use peanut butter that does not contain xylitol)
- Fruit mixed with plain lowfat yogurt
- Fill a hollow rubber KONG-type toy with a mixture of dog food and peanut butter and freeze. This provides a stimulating enrichment activity as your pet works to get the frozen mixture out.
- Purchase frozen treats made specifically for pets, such as Purina Frosty PawsⓇ.
Make your own frozen treats:
If you really want to treat your pup, you can make homemade frosty goodies for her. Try this tempting recipe from Good Housekeeping:
Frozen banana peanut butter pupsicles:
Ingredients: - 4 cups plain low fat yogurt
- 1 large banana
- 4 tablespoons peanut butter
- Coconut oil or olive oil cooking spray
- Small dog treats for the popsicle “sticks”
Instructions:
- Blend yogurt, banana, and peanut butter in a blender.
- Place small cups in a rimmed baking pan and spray with cooking spray.
- Fill cups half way with yogurt mixture, then stick a dog treat into each cup to serve as an edible popsicle stick.
- Transfer pan to freezer and freeze for 2–3 hours.
- Remove a “pupsicle” from the freezer, peel away cup, and hold on to the stick as your furry friend enjoys her treat. Once the frozen portion gets to be a manageable size, your dog can enjoy the treat on her own.
Ice Cream For Dogs: When It’s Safe And When It’s Not:
When You Shouldn’t Share Your Ice Cream?
While some ice cream flavors, like vanilla, should be okay for most dogs … there are some situations when ice cream should be put on the “NO” list.
Here are 3 situations when you should avoid ice cream. - Your Dog Is Lactose Intoleran:
To digest foods, your dog needs digestive enzymes. They break down the food and help your dog’s body absorb nutrients. Ice cream’s made from dairy, which means it contains lactose (a milk sugar). To break down lactose into simple sugars … your dog needs a digestive enzyme called lactase. Dogs do produce lactase. But like some humans, it’s not always enough to digest the lactose. And that can cause an intolerance that leads to digestive upset and symptoms like …
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Gas
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Cramps
If this is the first time your dog has had dairy or ice cream, start slow to see how his body reacts.
- The Ice Cream Has Dangerous Ingredients:
Some ice cream flavors are very dangerous for your dog … especially chocolate ice cream or products with chocolate chunks. If your dog gets a toxic dose of chocolate it could lead to…
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle tremors
- Hyperactivity
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Heart failure
- Death
But chocolate isn’t the only flavor that can make your dog sick. Coffee flavored ice cream contains caffeine. And too much caffeine can lead to symptoms like chocolate toxicity… as well as seizure or collapse. The risks increase when there are whole coffee beans in the ice cream. You also want to watch for products that contain certain nuts (like macadamia) or raisins. They are also toxic to dogs.
- Your Dog Doesn’t Need The Added Sugars:
So … you’re confident that your dog isn’t sensitive to lactose. And you’ve chosen a flavor of ice cream that doesn’t contain any dangerous ingredients. There’s still one more reason why you may decide not to share ice cream with your dog. And that’s sugar. While ice cream can be a safe treat, you want to watch how much you give your dog. Too much sugar in your dog’s diet can cause him to gain weight. It can also lead to health problems like …
- Dental disease
- Metabolic disease
- Diabetes
Take A Look At Glycemic Load For Perspective:
Different carbohydrates affect blood sugar differently. To determine the effect of the carbohydrates on blood sugar, people with diabetes look at 1 of 2 numbers. Glycemic index (GI)– how much the food raises your blood sugar. The higher the number, the faster your blood sugar rises after you eat the food. A GI of 55 or less is low. The problem with glycemic index is that it looks at a comparable portion of carbs in foods. It’s usually 50g of carbs. For carrots, 50 grams of carbs would be 4 cups of carrots. 50 grams of carbs would also be 2 oz of cotton candy. That’s where glycemic load comes in. Glycemic load (GL) – provides a fuller picture of the food’s actual effect on your blood sugar by looking at the planned portion size. A GL of 10 or less is low. This is an effective way to compare foods. To give some perspective, let’s look at glycemic load of common pet food starches and ice cream
White Rice … 44
Brown Rice … 29
Corn … 19
Tapioca … 17
Vanilla Ice Cream … 3
If you were choosing between these 5 foods as a snack … the small portion of ice cream would be less likely to create a sharp rise in blood sugar. That’s because ice cream is mostly fat, which doesn’t spike blood sugar! Not to mention you probably won’t give your dog a full portion … just a couple of licks. So really, a lick here or there isn’t a concern for your dog. Just don’t give them too much too often.
Artificial Sweeteners:
While it may seem like a good idea to grab a sugar free brand the next time you’re at the store … that could cause even bigger problems. Some sweeteners can be dangerous. Just look at xylitol
Xylitol is very toxic to dogs:
When dogs eat xylitol, it gets absorbed into their bloodstream very quickly. This causes a rapid release of insulin that decreases the blood sugar level. This could lead to hypoglycemia and that can be life-threatening.
Is Frozen Yogurt Safe For Dogs?
Frozen yogurt can be a good choice because there’s less lactose. But even yogurt can be enough to trigger digestive upset in some lactose intolerant dogs. It can also be high in sugar or have life-threatening sweeteners and ingredients … so make sure you read the label first.
Safe DIY Frozen Treats For Your Dog:
If you’re on the hunt for a tasty frozen treat for your dog and would prefer to pass on the ice cream … there are other healthy options for you to try.
Nice Cream:
Nice cream is a dairy-free treat you can make at home. Usually it’s banana based, but you can use any frozen fruit. But remember, if you share it with your dog … make sure the ingredients you use are safe for him. To make nice cream, you simply put frozen fruit into a blender, food processor or ice cream machine. Break it all down until it has a cream-like texture. Feed it straight out of the blender or freeze it in a freezer safe tray to scoop later. (You may have to let it thaw for a few minutes before you serve it). This can be a great treat for your whole family. It offers all the nutrients of fruit … and it’s free of dairy, added sugars and artificial sweeteners. Don’t go overboard though … fruit’s still full of natural sugars, so this dessert is best as a treat.
Raw Cubes:
There are tons of great recipes online for dog safe frozen treats made with raw ingredients. One easy recipe is this broth and apple treat from Savor + Savvy.
Everyone loves to give their pets treats, but what’s great on your plate might be dangerous for your dog. So here are 10 foods you should never feed your dog, no matter how nicely he asks. Some dogs like coffee, and some otherwise responsible dog owners think it’s cute to allow their dog to finish the last inch of a cold Starbucks. But caffeine, whether in coffee or soda, can be dangerous for a canine. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors, according to WebMD. Just like some humans, many dogs have lactose intolerance. But even if your dog is okay with milk, it’s not a good idea to give him a lot of sugar. You’ve heard about the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes in America? Dogs mirror these problems. Case in point: Up to 35 percent of American dogs are overweight, says Dr. Tony Johnson, clinical assistant professor of emergency veterinary medicine at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. “But I hate to see people worry so much,” he says. “A 10-pound dog has to eat the equivalent of an entire milk chocolate bar to be in any real danger.” Dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate are more hazardous, as they contain high levels of the offending substance, theobromine. It can cause excessive thirst, irregular heart beat, seizures, and even death. “Some people do it maliciously, but sometimes, at a party, a dog will walk around lapping up the spilled beer,” he says. ■■■■■ has the same effect on your dog’s liver and brain as it does on yours - only your dog’s organs are smaller and thus more sensitive. Depending on the type of alcohol and the size of the dog, alcohol can cause difficult breathing, coma and even death. Some people like to give dogs chewing gum. Don’t be one of them. If the gum (or candy) is sweetened with xylitol, it could cause liver failure, says Dr. Becker. According to WebMD, symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, your dog may have seizures. They’re a perfect natural snack for children, and some dogs love them. Yet even small amounts can cause lethargy, depression, and kidney failure. Vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs of grape poisoning. “People go on vacations and they bring back macadamia cookies and things like that, and they give them to their dog,” says Dr. Becker. It seems like a harmless little treat, but he says macadamia nuts top the list of foods that can devastate dogs. Just a few can cause muscle tremors, vomiting, fever, and rapid heart rate. “I know a dog that was euthanized for rear leg paralysis after eating macadamias,” says Becker. “But the condition corrects itself over time with supportive care.” They are, though, whether they’re eaten cooked, raw, or in onion powder. In large quantities, they can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia severe enough to require a blood transfusion, says Dr. Johnson. With all of the pet food scares out there, many people are making food for their dogs, sometimes including onions and garlic (which is also not so great for dogs.) Dogs eating ice cream: It just sounds right! Your dog loves yummy treats, so you’re sure he’d love a lick of soft serve when it’s hot outside. But, is it bad for them, or can dogs eat ice cream safely? The truth is, as cute as it seems to share your dessert with your fluffy friend, it’s best to keep your dog far away from any ice cream. Here are the two main reasons why ice cream can be bad for dogs: Humans aren’t the only species that are sensitive to dairy. Eating ice cream may cause your dog a stomach ache or worse, depending on how sensitive they are. Ice cream can cause your dog gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea or vomiting. Remember, your dog can’t voice their concerns to you, so while they might look OK on the outside, they could be experiencing some major digestive issues on the inside. No one wants their beloved pet to suffer in silence! Sugar is also bad for your pooch. The sugar in ice cream can cause your dog to gain weight, and being overweight can lead to other health problems. You might think one scoop can’t hurt, but think of how many calories your pet consumes in a day. What may feel like a small treat to you could contain more than a day’s worth of calories for your dog. Some ice creams include xylitol, a sweetener that’s poisonous to dogs. Ice cream can also contain additional ingredients that have xylitol in them, like peanut butter and some candies. Chocolate ice cream and chocolate toppings, like chocolate sauce and chocolate chips, present additional dangers since chocolate can be toxic for dogs, too. And rum raisin ice cream is off-limits because raisins are also poisonous for pups. There are far too many health risks involved to feed your dog ice cream — even if it’s just a lick. If you’d prefer to go the store-bought route, many grocery stores sell pet-safe ice cream in their frozen foods section. Most of these ice creams are just as safe as homemade treats, but it’s always best to read the labels. Some ice creams for dogs contain yogurt, which your dog might tolerate better than milk or cream since it has less lactose. It’s usually safest to stick to non-dairy treats. Always make sure to talk to your veterinarian before giving anything to your dog. Can dogs eat ice cream? They can’t eat the same kind you eat, but there are plenty of frozen, pet-safe sweets they can enjoy. The idea of dogs eating ice cream might sound cute, but the sick pet that could result is no laughing matter. On the bright side, no ice cream for Fido means more ice cream for you!