Ice cream is a very popular treat to have during the summer, but can our fur-babies enjoy this treat as we can?
Dogs love ice cream, but they shouldn’t eat it. Why? Well, here’s why.
Why Dogs Can’t Eat Ice Cream
Why can’t dogs eat ice cream? Here are 3 reasons why.
Dogs Are Lactose Intolerant
The dog is unable to digest milk after they’re weaned. Adult dogs just can’t consume dairy; they’re lactose intolerant.
Consumption of too much dairy can lead to vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea. Never give your dog too much ice cream or else your pup’s reaction could be serious.
Ice Cream Has Too Much Sugar
Ice cream just has too much sugar which dogs should never have a lot of.
Even sugar-free ice cream may contain Xylitol, a sugar alternative that is highly toxic to dogs.
Other sugar alternatives such as sucralose may be less dangerous, but could still cause your pup to have diarrhea.
Toxic Flavors in Ice Cream
There are also flavors of ice cream that are toxic to dogs. Dogs, for example, cannot consume chocolate ice cream.
If you just have to give your dog some ice cream, make sure it is NOT chocolate or any other flavor that is toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream Cones?
Can dogs eat ice cream cones? Yes, but they shouldn’t eat too many of them.
Why? Well, although ice cream cones are unlikely to contain anything that is toxic to dogs (unless the ice cream cones are chocolate, then it’s a different story), they still contain sugar.
Ice Cream Alternatives
Although ice cream is unhealthy for your dog, you can make dog-friendly “ice cream” instead.
Your dog may enjoy this peanut butter banana dog-friendly “ice cream” from The Dog People.
You could also feed your dog some frozen, non-fat, plant yogurt as well if you would like.
I do recommend feeding it to them in moderation though, as you shouldn’t feed your dog a lot of bananas.
Conclusion
So, can dogs have ice cream? Although it isn’t always toxic for them, they shouldn’t eat a lot of it.
Dogs shouldn’t eat a lot of ice cream cones either, but it shouldn’t hurt them unless they’re chocolate.
