What’s better than satisfying a sugar craving with an icy, fruity treat—sherbet?
Sounds great and healthy, right?
For you, yes, but be wary of the added sugars and dairy in sherbet that might irritate your dog’s sensitive stomach.
Fortunately, you can make a dog-safe sherbet straight from your kitchen by controlling the ingredients yourself.
Let your best four-legged companion enjoy a scoop with you.
So, can dogs eat sherbet?
Yes, moderately and as an occasional treat.
Although sherbet is fruit-based, it still contains added sugars that are not indeed good for your dog.
Nutritionally, sherbet has protein, calcium, and micronutrients depending on the fruit type it’s made with.
Be mindful of the sherbet flavor you feed your dog. While milk is not harmful, some fruits like lemon are toxic.
Fruits are a great way of rewarding your furry friend rather than the most unhealthy and expensive dog treats.
But is sherbet the best alternative treat?
Find out in this article, as we highlight the flavors to avoid and those suitable for your furry friend, and what might just go wrong if they ate a large scoop.
What is sherbet? Is it ice cream?
Sherbet is made with milk or buttermilk, fruits (sweetened fruit juices or fruit puree), and water.
Surprisingly, sometimes egg white or gelatin and butterfat are added. It’s mistaken for ice cream due to these ingredients.
So, what’s the difference between sherbet and ice cream? Ice cream is based on dairy and other add-ins like butterfat or fruits (sometimes).
On the other hand, sherbet is based on fruit puree with a bit of dairy (heavy cream) to make it creamier and rich in texture.
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly iced treat similar to ice cream but lower in calories and saturated fat, sherbet is the healthiest alternative.
It also has Vitamin C and a lower glycemic index than ice cream.
However, stick to small servings and choose sherbets with lower sugar levels.
What kind of sherbet can dogs have?
Sherbets contain a small amount of dairy, added sugars, and fruit puree.
Typical sherbet flavors include watermelon, strawberry, peach, orange, raspberry, or pineapple.
The popular variation is the rainbow sherbet which combines raspberry, lime, and orange.
These flavors are non-toxic to dogs except the lemon sherbet, which is lethal in large quantities.
Consult your vet on pre-existing allergies or health conditions before feeding any sherbet to your dog.
Can dogs have watermelon sherbet?
Yes, watermelon sherbets with low sugar are good treats for dogs.
Actual watermelon is a favorite among dogs for its crunchiness and high-water content to keep them hydrated on hot days.
Watermelon sherbet is made from the fruit puree and juice, eliminating the risk of your dog chewing seeds which can be a danger.
Making watermelon sherbet is relatively simple; dice frozen watermelons and use a blender to puree them into the desired consistency, then serve.
This is healthier since it’s low in calories and has no added sugars or artificial sweeteners found in most store-bought sherbet.
Can dogs have pineapple sherbet?
Yes, in small amounts.
Fresh pineapple is rich in fiber, Vitamin B, and C, boosting your dog’s immune system.
Conversely, the high fiber is beneficial in small quantities; too much can cause digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Pineapple sherbet is not advisable for diabetic dogs due to the high sugar in the fruit.
Always check with your vet before feeding it to your dog.
Can dogs have rainbow sherbet?
Yes, but just a few licks, one or two, depending on the dog size.
Rainbow sherbet is made by mixing different fruits like raspberries, lime, and orange.
Raspberries and oranges have potassium and omega 3 fatty acids essential for heart function and regulating blood pressure.
Contrary, lime is a citrus fruit that is dangerous to your canine pals if taken in large quantities.
Can dogs have lemon sherbet?
No.
Lemon sherbet contains citrus fruits, which are highly toxic to dogs.
Essential oils and chemical compounds in citrus fruits are bad for dogs, especially large amounts.
Most lemon sherbets contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol that are lethal to canines, even small quantities.
Check the labels to ensure there’s no xylitol—lemon toxicity results in dogs’ diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach upsets.
Dangers of feeding your dog sherbet
Lactose intolerance – Most dogs lack the enzyme lactase that digests the protein in milk rendering them lactose intolerant. This results in bloating, stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Obesity – Sherbet contains added sugars with high-fat content, and if consumed regularly in large quantities, your dog risks weight gain, pancreatitis, and other severe health conditions. Pick the low-fat sherbet.
Allergic reactions – Dogs can develop allergic reactions to dairy products—among the primary ingredients in sherbet. The allergies are a reaction to the protein in dairy products and manifest as diarrhea, vomiting, or itchy skin rashes after your dog consumes ice cream. Some flavors like lemon are toxic and can be fatal; they are better avoided.
What happens if my dog overeats sherbet?
If your dog is a sneaky sweet tooth, they’ll enjoy that scoop of sherbet and won’t know when to stop.
First, figure out the flavor and amount of sherbet they consumed.
If the flavor they ate doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients, there’s no need to panic.
Subtle flavors like watermelon, raspberry, or strawberry are okay.
However, they may get mild stomach upset and bloating, which will fade away after a few potty visits.
It might be a severe problem if the dog ate sherbet containing lemon or chocolate.
Contact your vet immediately to determine the next step of action.
Try first aid tips to eliminate the poison as you head to the vet.
To wrap it up
For those scorching days, sherbet is a sweet, cold, and fruity scoop.
Make them at home for your dog instead of the commercial ones made for humans.
When buying sherbet for your dog, get those flavors with dog-safe ingredients like berries and watermelon.
Be aware of any pre-existing health conditions of your dog before feeding them.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
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