It's common knowledge that there are a lot of reservations about feeding ice cream to…
What Ice Cream Can Dogs Eat?
Did you ever find yourself enjoying a scoop of cold ice cream while your dog looks at you with puppy eyes? And there you are thinking if it’s safe for them or possibly, what ice cream can dogs eat?
Dogs are lovely and loyal creatures. And just like how humans enjoy ice cream, so can your dogs, too! However, there are several concerns about the dangers ice cream poses to these man’s best friends. As responsible owners, it makes it necessary to understand when ice cream becomes harmful, what is the right ice cream, and what ice cream recipes can you make for your adorable doggies.
Is It Okay For Dogs To Eat Ice Cream
You can treat your dog to ice cream as long as you ensure the ice cream doesn’t contain harmful ingredients. To know the right ice cream for dogs, it’s important to know which types of ice cream you should avoid giving your dog.
Here is a list of ice cream that you shouldn’t give your dogs:
Ice Cream Made From Milk
Dogs are naturally lactose intolerant, so you should want to keep ice cream that contains milk away from your dog. To break down lactose, your dog requires lactase. Lactase is an enzyme that dogs don’t produce in sufficient quantities to digest milk.
The absence of enough lactase enzymes leads to indigestion that can result in constipation, cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. If you’re giving your dog an ice cream that contains milk, you should give them a little scoop first and monitor how they react to know if it’s right for them.
Ice Cream With Harmful Ingredients
One of the reasons behind the bad reputation ice cream has with dogs is because some ice cream has several ingredients that are harmful to dogs. Chocolate ice cream, for example, can be harmful to dogs and it can lead to diarrhea, heart failure, hyperactivity, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, and in extreme cases, death.
Similarly, coffee-flavored ice cream contains caffeine which can have the same effect on dogs as chocolate. Also, ice cream that contains nuts such as macadamia or raisins can be toxic to dogs.
Ice Cream With Added Sugars
Flavors and nuts aren’t the only things you should be wary of in an ice cream. The sugar content is another ice cream ingredient that you should be concerned about since too much sugar can cause excessive weight gain.
Excess sugar can also lead to health complications such as diabetes, dental disease, and metabolic disease.
Ice Cream Artificial Sweeteners
Just like how ice cream with excess sugar is unhealthy for dogs, so does ice cream with artificial sweeteners.
Artificial sweeteners such as xylitol are quickly absorbed in a dog’s bloodstream which can lead to a rapid release of insulin, thus, may decrease the blood sugar level. This can lead to life-threatening complications such as hypoglycemia.
What Ice Cream Can Dogs Eat
Now that we have examined the ice cream that isn’t right for our dogs, it’s time to consider what ice cream can dogs eat. Below are lists of ice cream recipes for dogs that you can easily make at home.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Dog Ice Cream
Dogs love peanut butter which makes this ice cream a wonderful dog treat! Vitamin H, also known as Biotin, present in peanut butter is a nutrient that helps dogs have good skin and fur.
Ingredients:
- 1 small, ripe banana
- ½ cup (4oz/120g) peanut butter (unsalted and smooth)
- 1 cup (10oz/280g) natural plain yogurt (low fat, non-fat)
- 5 strawberries, puréed
Instructions:
- Begin by mashing the banana to smooth mash with a fork. Ensure that there are no lumps in the mash.
- Then add the peanut butter and yogurt to the banana bowl.
- Mix all ingredients well. Stir for up to two minutes for a good mix.
- Mash the strawberries with a potato masher then fold them into the peanut butter mix to create a swirl.
- Pour in the mixture into an airtight container then keep in the freezer for at least four hours. Preferably, you can leave it in the freezer overnight.
- This ice cream can stay fresh in the freezer for up to 8 days.
Strawberry & Banana Dog Ice Cream
You can treat your dog to this delightful ice cream treat of strawberry and banana mix.
Ingredients:
- 10 fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1 medium, ripe banana
- 1 cup (10oz/280g) natural plain yogurt (low fat, non-fat)
Instructions:
- Use a potato masher to mash the strawberries into small pieces.
- Add the banana and mash it with the strawberries to create a mix.
- Pour in the yogurt and stir the mixture.
- Pour into an airtight container and put in the freezer for a minimum of 4 hours. Preferably, leave it overnight to get a good freeze.
- You can keep this ice cream mix in the fridge for up to 8 weeks.
- If you want to get a thicker ice cream mix, you can use a greek or strained yogurt.
Oatmeal & Cinnamon Dog Ice Cream
This oatmeal and cinnamon mix is a wonderful ice cream for dogs. This ice cream mix is beneficial to dogs because it warms their bones during winter and it’s a good treat for dogs with arthritis.
Ingredients:
- 1 small, ripe banana
- ¾ cup (6oz/ 180g) cooked oatmeal
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup (10oz/280g) natural plain yogurt ( low fat, non-fat)
Instructions:
- Use a fork to mash the banana into a smooth paste.
- Cook the oatmeal then leave it to cool down.
- Add the cinnamon and stir with the oatmeal.
- Pour the yogurt and stir the ingredients to achieve a good mix.
- Pour into an airtight container and put in the freezer for a minimum of 4 hours. Preferably, leave it overnight to get a good freeze.
- You can keep this ice cream mix in the fridge for up to 8 weeks.
Watermelon Ice Cream for Dogs
Watermelon ice cream for dogs is a yummy and refreshing treat for them. This easy-to-make ice cream recipe will give your dog healthy benefits and keep them cool, especially in summer.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cup frozen watermelon
- ¼ cup of coconut milk (or yogurt)
Instructions:
- Wash the watermelon then cut it into large pieces.
- Remove the seeds. This is important so your dog won’t swallow the seeds.
- Put the watermelon in an airtight container and put it in the freezer for up to 4 hours. Preferably, leave it overnight.
- Put 1 ½ cups of the frozen watermelon in the food processor.
- Add ¼ cup of coconut milk (or yogurt)
- You can include other fruits such as bananas to add up some flavor.
- You can store it in the freezer for up to 8 days.
Coconut Milk Ice Cream For Dogs
Coconut milk doesn’t contain lactose which makes it safe for dogs. Also, coconut milk is xylitol-free so it is a healthy ingredient to include in your ice cream for dogs.
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces of coconut milk
- 1 cup natural unsweetened peanut butter
- 1 cup carrot
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
Instructions:
- Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend until you get a smooth mixture.
- Pour the mixture into an airtight container and freeze for up to 4 to 6 hours. You can also leave it in the freezer overnight.
Can Dogs Eat McDonald’s Ice Cream
As mentioned in this article, there are ice cream flavors that are harmful to dogs. If you ever thought of giving a McDonald’s ice cream to your dog, you should ensure none of the harmful ingredients are present to avoid any danger.
Still, even if the McDonald’s ice cream is free from harmful ingredients, it might not be entirely considered as a safe ice cream for dogs. McDonald’s ice cream often contains large amounts of coloring and preservatives which can lead to diarrhea, indigestion, and other complications.
Need a good quality ice cream maker for home use? Check our full review of the Immergood Ice Cream Maker here!
Verdict
Essentially, dogs are just like humans, too. They love whatever smells great and looks nice. To ensure you don’t expose your dog to danger, before giving them ice cream, you need to be certain about what ice cream can dogs eat. In that way, you can create delicious homemade ice cream recipes that you are sure they’ll be able to enjoy risk-free.
Join Me In The Fun of Making Ice Cream at Home!
Hi, my name is Simone and I LOVE making and eating ice cream. I have searched long and hard to find the best ice cream maker reviews and tips on the best ice cream makers.
Find out a little more about myself and the IceCream Maker Guru gang here.
Thanks for visiting and may your ice cream always be delicious!
Simone xx
