Ice cream is undoubtedly scrumptious, and you want to share everything good in your life with your dog. Can My Dog Eat Vanilla Ice Cream?
Maybe. Although ice cream isn’t a food that dogs enjoy, if your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, a small serving on occasion shouldn’t cause any harm. On the other hand, ice cream is not appropriate for dogs who are lactose intolerant.
Keep reading.
Is Vanilla Ice Cream Good for Dogs?
While it’s true that it’s okay to occasionally give dogs who aren’t lactose intolerant a small serving of ice cream, vanilla ice cream isn’t particularly healthy for dogs. In fact, ice cream’s sugar content has the potential to be extremely dangerous for your dog’s health.
Why Can’t Dogs Have Sugar?
Your dog may struggle from consuming too much sugar. In the short term, consuming large amounts of sugar can upset the microorganisms in the stomach and cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea. However, the detrimental long-term effects of sugar consumption on dogs are a bigger issue..
A dog who consumes too much sugar over time will likely gain weight or develop obesity, just like in humans. An overweight dog is more likely to become lethargic, suffer from heart disease, breathing problems, and joint pain. Feeding your dog too much sugar can also cause cavities and diabetes. Both have a significant negative impact on their general health if not treated. Diabetes, in particular, can cause kidney failure, ketoacidosis, seizures, cataracts, and urinary tract infections.
Can Lactose Intolerant Dogs Have Vanilla Ice Cream?
Vanilla ice cream and all other dairy products are off limits to canines with lactose intolerance. Try giving your dog a spoonful of plain yogurt with probiotics if you’re not sure if they’re lactose intolerant. You can give them a little more food and watch how they react if they don’t experience any gastrointestinal distress in the ensuing 12 to 24 hours. They are probably able to tolerate a spoonful or two of vanilla ice cream on extremely rare special occasions if they can tolerate a small amount of plain yogurt without experiencing excessive gas, bloating, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What Are the Risks of Feeding My Dog Vanilla Ice Cream?
Ice cream is absolutely loaded with sugar, and sugar is bad for dogs. If you regularly give your dog sugary treats, you run the risk of obesity, not to mention diseases like pancreatitis.
If you only occasionally give your dog a taste, you shouldn’t have to worry about either of those. It isn’t good for them, though, for sure.
However, if you insist on feeding your dog ice cream, vanilla is certainly the best flavor to give her. Some flavors — like chocolate, macadamia nut, and coffee — can be toxic to dogs, but most pooches should have no issues with vanilla.
Are There Any Health Benefits to Giving Your Dog Vanilla Ice Cream?
No, ice cream contains a small number of nutrients (like calcium), but not enough of them to make up for the rest of the unhealthy ingredients.
Undoubtedly, your dog would contend that ice cream consumption is good for one’s mental health, but we can’t really comment on that.
Are There Healthy Alternatives to Vanilla Ice Cream for Dogs?
Undoubtedly, there are a few commercial ice creams made specifically for dogs; these typically contain peanut butter and milk that is lactose-free and suitable for dogs. Don’t mistake their superior health to that of regular ice cream, though; these are still treats and ought to be given in moderation.
Homemade frozen confections are another option. Purchase plain, unsweetened yogurt, then freeze it—this is the simplest method. Your dog will be entertained for hours on a hot day trying to lick all the frozen yogurt out of Kong toys if you fill them with yogurt and freeze them.
Another option is to blend a few bananas in a food processor, freeze the mixture that results, and then proceed. You’ll have a sweet, entirely natural treat with nutrients once it has dried. If you’d like, you can also incorporate yogurt or peanut butter.
Read about Can Dogs Drink Coffee?
What to Do If Your Dog Ate Vanilla Ice Cream
Unless the vanilla ice cream contained toxic ingredients like xylitol, your dog’s consumption of a small amount of it is not considered an emergency. Larger dogs in particular may survive without displaying any symptoms. Depending on how much vanilla ice cream they consumed, other dogs, however, might exhibit symptoms like stomach aches and diarrhea.
If you believe your dog consumed more vanilla ice cream than he should have, we advise keeping a close eye on him for the next day or two. If your dog begins to exhibit any unfavorable health symptoms, a phone call to the vet is highly advised.
Alternative Dog Treats to Vanilla Ice Cream
When it’s hot outside in the summer, your dog will love any frozen treat. There are a ton of frozen treats you can give your dog in its place, though vanilla ice cream is off-limits. This might consist of a small serving of plain, fat-free frozen yogurt or frozen fruits like blueberries. While yogurt does have some lactose, it is not nearly as much as vanilla ice cream. Be cautious when giving dogs frozen treats and only occasionally.
Summary: Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Ice Cream?
Although vanilla ice cream is made with non-toxic ingredients, you’re better off not giving it those puppy-dog eyes when you’re digging in. Due to the high sugar content of ice cream and the fact that many dogs have lactose intolerance, eating it can cause stomach upset or worse.
Please post a question in the comments if you have any. For reading, I’m grateful.
