Dogs and ice cream

A hot summer day and you are eating a delicious ice cream and you aren’t sure if you can share it with your dog, or your dog ate the ice cream from the table, or you are about to buy a special ice cream for dogs. We will explain different situations and general recommendations such as the safe flavors, and what to do if your dog feels sick after eating ice cream (Dogs and ice cream). 

Generally it is best to avoid giving dairy products to dogs. Puppies can digest milk, but after being weaned from their mother's milk dogs no longer digest milk as well. 

Ice creams contain large amounts of sugar which can lead to obesity. Giving your dog ice cream can make it even more difficult to help him lose those extra pounds. The worst thing about ice cream is that ice cream has a lot of fat.  Small sudden changes in the fat content of your dog's diet can cause health problems. Many dogs get an upset stomach because their owners have changed the amount of fat in their diets. These problems can appear the same day or even several days later. 

The most common effects of eating ice cream are abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. Symptoms can be mild, such as throwing up once and not eating their entire meal. In mild cases of stomach upset you can offer your dog his usual food or add boiled rice/chicken without seasonings or oils. Some pets have more serious effects, such as continuous vomiting, diarrhea and not eating at all, which can lead to severe dehydration. In severe cases it is best to visit your veterinarian where they will likely perform laboratory tests, such as blood tests. 

Vanilla flavor is the safest option compared to other flavors for your dog. There are very dangerous flavors such as chocolate, coffee, raisins and any "light, diet or sugar free" flavors with artificial sweeteners. With this in mind, your dog can try dog-specific ice creams, just be sure to start with small amounts. If you have a dog with a very sensitive stomach, do not give him ice cream. If your pet does not suffer from stomach upset, you can offer him a little vanilla ice cream...remember that a little bit for a small dog (like a chihuahua) is a tablespoon. A safer and healthier alternative to ice cream is to freeze healthy treats like frozen banana chunks.