Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?

The Short Answer is:

Sharing this delicious treat with your canine companion is only natural. As some dogs are lactose intolerant, and ice cream contains a wide range of ingredients (chocolate, too much sugar, caffeine, raisins, nuts, and especially xylitol), it is recommended that dogs do not consume ice cream.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?“.

Sharing this delicious treat with your canine companion is only natural. As some dogs are lactose intolerant and ice cream contains a wide range of ingredients (chocolate too much sugar caffeine raisins nuts and especially xylitol) it is recommended that dogs do not consume ice cream.

In moderation a dog may enjoy certain kinds of plain lactose-free / dairy-free ice cream. Sugar-free ice cream is also better but only if it does not contain harmful artificial sweeteners such as xylitol. It is best to give a dog anything sweet very rarely and if you do give it very small amounts.

Choosing plain vanilla or peanut butter flavored frozen yogurt or ice cream (without chocolate) is often the most dog-friendly choice when sharing this indulgent treat. After the dog eats ice cream all ingredients should be carefully evaluated and side effects should be monitored for at least 30 to 120 minutes.

Its always better for the dog to eat yogurt but dog-specific versions of ice cream are the best and safest. Alternatively you can make your own homemade dog ice cream instead of buying it from a pet store or supermarket. This is what you need to know if you still choose to give your pooch ice cream made for people.

Ice Cream for Dogs and Lactose Intolerance

• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Gastrointestinal Upset
• Vomiting
• Additional side effects are listed in the following list (below)

When a dog exhibits any of these symptoms within 30 to 120 minutes after eating anything with lactose (including ice cream) you can assume that the dog is lactose intolerant and should not be given anything with lactose moving forward. The dog should be taken to a veterinarian clinic as soon as possible if it does not get better.

Potential Side Effects of Ice Cream for Dogs 

Ice cream provides no nutritional value to dogs is high in calories and sugar and contains a variety of ingredients that are extremely toxic to them. Additionally dogs are not known to benefit from eating ice cream. In general ice cream should not be given as a treat to dogs. There are so many delicious and indulgent treats that can be safely fed to a dog that has nutritional value and do not pose any risk of creating any of the negative side-effects of a dog eating ice cream which you will find listed below:

• Decay and damage to teeth
• Can Make a Dog’s Allergies Worse
• When Blood Sugar Levels Rise
• Behavioral Issues Caused by Sugar Overload
• Toxic Ingredient Reactions When Blood Sugar Levels Rise
• Can Lead to Diabetes or Pre-Diabetic Conditions in a Dog
• Diabetic dogs can suffer severe adverse and dangerous reactions to diabetes medications
• Can Cause a Dog to Become a Picky Eater that Wants Only Sweet Treats
• Digestion Problems Even in lactose-intolerant Dogs

What Kind of Ice Cream is Okay for Dogs to Eat?

If you feel compelled to give your dog ice cream and its not the kind made specifically for dogs (bought or homemade) then these are the few types of human-specific ice creams that may be better for your dog:

Plain vanilla or peanut butter flavored

Sugar-free ice cream with NO artificial sweeteners (no xylitol!)

Ice cream WITHOUT any other harmful ingredients

Among the potentially toxic ingredients usually found in ice cream for dogs are chocolate raisins coffee caffeine of any kind macadamia nuts chocolate-covered nuts of any kind excessive amounts of sugar or anything that contains artificial sweeteners especially xylitol (but most artificial sweeteners can be toxic to dogs) as well as large amounts of sugar.

The Best Ice Cream for Dogs

Heres a list of the top-of-the-line dog ice cream options you can buy online that are easy to make and freeze if you do not want to make your own homemade dog ice cream with regular home ingredients and would rather buy something that would result in a more commercially tasting delicious ice cream that will cool your pooch on a hot summer day or use as a reward for them:

Delicious Alternatives to Ice Cream for Dogs

The best way to feed your dog a tasty and cold treat on a hot day is to buy them from a local store or supermarket or make something yourself. You can find many recipes for frozen dog treats online. Sams favorite and its also very easy to make. Here are some alternatives to ice cream:

• Cubes of peanut butter frozen in the freezer (like this one)
• Fruit is frozen in the freezer (no raisins or grapes)
• Frozen Peanut Butter Covered Bananas
• No artificial sweeteners or artificial ingredients in these frozen fruit bars!
• Unsweetened plain frozen yogurt.
• Commercial Ice Cream Made Specifically for Dogs
• Dogs but the best option is homemade dog ice cream.

At the Tails End

Before you give your dog ice cream you should ask yourself the following three questions:

1. Can eating ice cream negatively impact or worsen my dogs health conditions such as lactose intolerance obesity diabetes or pre-diabetes for instance?
2. What is the value of having my dog get sick possibly to the point that I am forced to take the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic and pay a high bill just so I can feed him ice cream? Between $500 and $1000 is the average vet bill for a food poisoning situation.
3. Could I feed my dog a healthier alternative to ice cream that he or she would enjoy just as much or even more?

Before you give your dog ice cream think about this. As a result if you give your pooch something so delicious and sweet they may develop picky eating habits.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.