On a hot summer day, nothing beats eating a soft serve ice cream by the ocean. The whole family will love this refreshing treat, but can you share it with your furry buddy, too? Can dogs eat ice cream? Your dog is probably going to be at your feet, begging with their best puppy dog eyes.
We’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to answer any questions regarding serving ice cream to dogs. In order to find out why, read on.
Do dogs like ice cream?
Do not feed ice cream to your dog. However, when they are weaned as pups, dogs no longer have the enzyme necessary to digest the lactose in milk, therefore they have a hard time digesting dairy even though it is neither poisonous or substantially detrimental to them. Even while your dog probably won’t need to see the doctor because he or she licked the ice cream once in a while, it’s still best to keep them away from the frozen treat.
Do dogs benefit from ice cream?
Dogs have a hard time digesting milk, so giving them ice cream or other dairy products might make them sick.
The question of whether or not dogs can eat ice cream is complicated by the fact that it’s likely to contain close to your dog’s daily recommended amount of calories in just one scoop, which may lead to dental disease, diabetes, or weight problems.
Furthermore, several ice cream flavors, like chocolate and rum and raisin, are particularly poisonous to dogs. Some ice cream toppings, including peanut butter, may also include the poisonous chemical xylitol. Xylitol may also be found in sugar-free ice cream.
Have you considered vegan ice cream?
Vegan ice cream won’t have any dairy in it, but it may be prepared with nut-based milks that are bad for dogs, and it might include sweeteners, chemicals, or components that are bad for dogs just like regular ice cream.
Dog-friendly ice cream alternatives
To keep your four-legged friend safe, we recommend putting down the scoop and opting for a dog-friendly ice cream alternative instead. Here are some ideas:
Frozen bananas
One very popular option with pooch owners is to freeze bananas and then blend them. Do not feed whole frozen chunks as these can be a choking hazard.
Simply ice
If your dog is overweight, basic ice cubes are the finest treat you can give them. Many canines find this to be utterly fascinating. On hot days, you may put one of these in your pet’s water dish.
Canine ice cream and candy
Did you know that the vast majority of local pet stores sell treats like ice cream and lollipops created just for canines? They also come in a number of delightful flavours, so they’re guaranteed to be a pleasant treat and you can be rest assured that they contain nothing dangerous or hazardous.