If you give your pet some Dairy Queen (DQ) ice cream, you’ll be treated to nonstop tail wagging.
While you enjoy your meal inside, Fido can enjoy an ice cream pup cup on the patio at this DQ restaurant.
You can eat alongside them on the patio, which is a lot of fun, but is it safe?
Can Dogs Eat Dairy Queen Ice Cream?
The ice cream from Dairy Queen is not poisonous, but it also isn’t good for your dog’s health.
Dogs, especially those with preexisting conditions like diabetes or obesity, shouldn’t eat ice cream because of the fats, sugars, and flavors it contains.
You can get dog ice cream with fewer additives at DQ restaurants.
When it comes to ice cream, a little bit goes a long way.
This article explains why it’s not a good idea to give your dog Dairy Queen ice cream, as well as the advantages, recommended serving size, and available alternatives.
In most cases, you can give your dog a scoop of DQ ice cream without worrying about him getting sick, but there are a few exceptions.
What is Dairy Queen ice cream: Is it safe for dogs?
Dairy Queen is well-known for providing pup cups, and their ice cream is safe for canines.
The soft serve vanilla ice cream in the middle of this dog treat is topped with dog biscuits.
It’s on the hidden dog menu at Dairy Queen.
The ice cream may be safe for dogs, but it still has a lot of sugar, artificial flavors, and sweeteners, so it’s not a good idea to give it to your dog.
Subtle flavors and dog-friendly ingredients are why the pup cup option is so popular.
The Dairy Queen Pup Cup is a great source of calcium, which is great for your dog’s bones and teeth, cardiovascular system, and brain.
And it has tiny amounts of proteins that help cells multiply and add muscle mass.
Is Dairy Queen ice cream bad for dogs? Health risks
Sugar, artificial sweeteners, milk, and cream are all components of Dairy Queen’s ice cream (pup cup treat).
It doesn’t really matter what goes into the dog treats, but the ice cream is a different story.
High sugars
Because of the sugars added to Dairy Queen Pup cups to make them more palatable, they should be consumed in moderation.
Your dog is more likely to gain weight, develop diabetes, and experience pancreatitis because of the added sugars.
To make matters worse, dogs don’t typically engage in regular oral hygiene practices, so the tartar builds up even more quickly when they consume sugar.
Milk and cream
The exception to this is if your dog is lactose intolerant, in which case a small amount of milk or cream is fine.
When nursing, puppies’ natural production of lactase is optimal, but it declines as they begin eating solids.
In this way, most senior dogs are lactose intolerant because they cannot digest the protein found in dairy products.
Dairy Queen Pup cups could upset the stomachs of dogs who are allergic to milk.
Milk allergy symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, excessive paw licking, and itching, which often leads to skin rashes.
If your pet has a history of allergies or health problems, you should talk to your vet.
High fats
Your pet will benefit most from a daily serving of low- or fat-free ice cream.
This Dairy Queen Pup cup is high in fat and calories, which can cause pancreatitis in your dog if given to it frequently.
The increased risk of weight gain and joint degeneration due to excess fat also reduces your dog’s lifespan.
Artificial sweeteners
While artificial sweeteners like xylitol aren’t included in the ingredients of the Dairy Queen Pup cup, there are other flavors that aren’t dog-friendly.
Xylitol can cause dangerously low blood sugar in dogs and even liver damage if consumed even in small amounts.
When a dog consumes too much xylitol, they may show signs like;
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Collapse
- Toxic effects on the kidneys and liver
How to feed your dog Dairy Queen ice cream
If you want to reward your dog occasionally, that’s fine, but you shouldn’t make ice cream a regular part of your dog’s diet.
However, you should think about their size, caloric intake, and health history.
It’s important to keep a close eye on your dog’s calorie intake to prevent obesity-related diseases like pancreatitis.
Your dog’s reaction to ice cream will help you determine how much to feed him or her at first.
If your dog exhibits signs of GI distress after consuming ice cream, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset, you should discontinue feeding it immediately.
Are there healthier alternatives to Dairy Queen ice cream treats for dogs?
If you’re a dog owner who also enjoys ice cream, you can make your pup some tasty treats using human-grade ingredients.
- Freeze bananas, puree them, and then serve them to your dog as a treat.
- Apple puree frozen in a block
- pumpkin puree, frozen, plain
- Blended frozen fruit and plain or Greek yogurt.
- Frozen beef or chicken broth with a low sodium content
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Will ice cream hurt my dog?
Your dog probably won’t have any problems if they eat a little ice cream, but this does depend on a number of factors.
But if your dog already has diabetes, the high sugar content will only make things worse.
In addition, dogs with lactose intolerance shouldn’t eat ice cream because of the dairy content.
This will cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in addition to other stomach issues.
If you’re worried about the effects ice cream could have on your dog’s health, you should talk to your vet before giving it to him.
What do you get your dog at Dairy Queen?
Dairy Queen offers a “dog pup cup” as a special order item.
It’s a vanilla soft-serve ice cream with a dog biscuit or cupcake on top.
Providing this treat to your dog will make him or her feel even more cherished on your part.
Before doing anything, make sure it’s okay with the veterinarians.
Can puppies have Dairy Queen ice cream safely?
It’s conditional. Dogs are able to digest the milk fats and lactose in ice cream.
Puppies, whose digestive systems are still maturing, are more likely to experience stomach upset after consuming Dairy Queen ice cream because they are unable to fully break down all of its components.
Wrapping up
Keep in mind that even the healthiest dog needs moderation; save the sugary treats for special occasions only.
Don’t lose hope; every once in a while (but not every day) give your dog a Dairy Queen pup cup.
First, you should make sure your dog isn’t allergic to lactose, diabetic, or prone to putting on weight.