Dogs & Ice Cream: The Scoop on Why You Should Avoid It

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:

1. Dogs Don't Digest Milk Well

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!

2. There's Too Much Sugar In Ice Cream

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.

3. Ice Cream Can Contain Ingredients Toxic to Dogs

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.

Dog-Friendly Ice Cream Alternatives

Don't despair! If you're an ice cream aficionado, you can still share the joy of eating a frozen treat with your pet.

If you're interested in making homemade alternatives, there are a few options. Banana "ice cream" is a yummy, simple treat: Just freeze bananas and blend them. You can also add apples, pumpkin or dog-safe peanut butter to the mix. Another option is to freeze plain apple sauce and pumpkin puree in silicone molds for a treat that's a little more like an ice pop than ice cream. If you're short on time, dogs actually love plain ice cubes too; they're great treats with no additional calories. Just make sure to not go overboard in case your dog might get brain freeze.

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!