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Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Ice Cream?

closeup of vanilla ice cream being scooped

Although you CAN give a small quantity of vanilla ice cream to your dog occasionally, it is NOT recommended. Despite being the safest ice cream flavor for dogs, several ingredients make it unsuitable for canines. The list of harmful constituents includes milk, fats, sugar, and artificial sweeteners. Alternatively, your dog can enjoy homemade frozen treats to counter the heat safely.

How to Serve Ice Cream to Your Dog?

Should I give my dog ice cream? It’s in the best interest of your companion to discuss this query with the vet. Once you have decided to serve your dog some ice cream, make sure that it is either vanilla or fruit-flavored. Just like any other dietary change, start by giving your pet a small quantity of ice cream.

If the canine doesn’t show any signs of gastrointestinal issues (bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea), you can increase the quantity. Typically, we wait for a few hours to determine the response of the pet.

Is Vanilla Ice Cream Good for Dogs?

2 puppies eating an ice cream cone

It is safe to give your dog an optimal quantity of plain vanilla ice cream once in a blue moon. Having said that, it cannot be regarded as good because it doesn’t offer any nutritional benefit. In fact, vanilla ice cream can have adverse effects on your canine’s health if you don’t follow the precautions carefully. Ice cream can harm your pet in the following ways.

Lactose Intolerance

Even though milk is completely safe for puppies, the digestive system of an adult dog doesn’t appreciate dairy products. The reason for this is the lack of lactase (enzyme) in the gastrointestinal tract of grown-up canines. Consequently, feeding your dog vanilla ice cream can lead to digestion woes, like diarrhea and vomiting.

Obesity and Diabetes

Another issue with ice cream is that it is extremely rich in sugar and fats. All this sugar can cause obesity which in turn leads to several health problems in dogs. Some of these troubles include Osteoarthritis, blood pressure, skin allergies, and heart and respiratory diseases. Similarly, eating too much sugar increases the probability of Type 2 diabetes.  

Xylitol Poisoning

Some people may look towards sugar-free ice cream (as a solution) to avoid obesity. Unfortunately, this alternative can cause more harm than good. Most of these brands use Xylitol (as an artificial sweetener) that is toxic to dogs. Therefore, you must check the ingredients list very carefully before sharing sugar-free vanilla ice cream with your canine.

Dangers of Eating Other Ice Cream Flavors

variety of flavored ice creams in cones standing in a cone holder

Can I give any other flavor to my dog other than vanilla ice cream? Although dogs can consume some fruit-flavored sorbets (like mango), most flavors of ice cream are dangerous for them. For instance, chocolate (one of the most popular flavors) is toxic for your puppy due to Theobromine. Similarly, coffee ice cream is harmful due to the high levels of caffeine.

In addition to ice cream flavors, certain toppings are also hazardous. Even though the reason behind their toxicity is unknown, Macadamia nuts will top this list. In contrast to that, some nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc.) are not poisonous for dogs but contain too much fat to be healthy. Likewise, grapes and raisins are also dangerous because they can cause serious medical complications like kidney failure.  

My Puppy Ate Ice Cream in My Absence

Pomeranian looking at ice cream cone over edge of table

If your canine has eaten ice cream without your permission, panic is not the way to proceed. Instead, you need to stay calm and try to figure out the flavor your puppy consumed. Similarly, you need to determine the quantity of ice cream your pet ate. If you are confident that the dog ate vanilla ice cream, there is nothing much to worry about.

On the other hand, if any dangerous flavor of ice cream was consumed, you must contact your vet immediately. You can also contact the Pet Poison Helpline to seek professional advice from experienced veterinarians. In extreme cases, you must visit the nearest clinic immediately to avoid the absorption of toxins in the dog’s system.

Alternative Frozen Treat

frozen fruit treats on sticks sitting on a white platter

Irrespective of the flavor, ice cream isn’t a very safe treat for dogs. This is because there are too many ingredients in ice cream that can harm your canine. In these circumstances, it is better to treat your dog with other frozen delicacies that are NOT injurious for him/her. One such recipe is mentioned below.

Banana and Peanut Butter Popsicles

Both peanut butter and banana are quite healthy for your dog. The combination of these ingredients with yogurt gives you a perfect frozen treat for your companion.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups yogurt (preferably low-fat)
  • 1 large banana
  • 4 tablespoons peanut butter
  • Coconut or olive oil cooking spray
  • Small dog treats as popsicle sticks

Directions

  1. Blend yogurt, banana, and peanut butter in a blender.
  2. Place small cups in a rimmed baking pan and spray with cooking spray (Instead of cups, you can use a silicone mold).
  3. Fill cups halfway with yogurt mixture then place one treat in each cup to serve as an edible Popsicle stick.
  4. Transfer pan to freezer and freeze for 2 to 3 hours.
  5. Remove a Popsicle from the freezer and hold onto the stick as your furry friend enjoys his treat. Once the frozen portion gets to be a manageable size, your dog can enjoy the treat on his own.
  6. For dogs who are overeager and will want to chow these down right away, consider letting them soften a bit before letting Fido dig in.

Thank you to Good Housekeeping for this recipe.

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