Can Dogs Have Vanilla Bean Ice Cream?

You arrive home from a picnic while carrying some vanilla bean ice cream, and right at the gate, your fluffy friend is ready to welcome you.

Once he smells vanilla bean ice cream, he gives some ‘a little lick’ eyes.

Being your dog lover, you can’t help but want to throw it all to him.

However, you wonder whether it’s right for him or not.

Many dog owners find themselves in a dilemma, but you need not worry.

So, can dogs have vanilla bean ice cream?

Yes, dogs can have vanilla bean ice cream, but in small amounts.

They contain high sugar content, xylitol, and additives that may cause stomach upset and other health complications such as pancreatitis.

Moreover, it has low nutrition content that can suppress junk.

This article will look at reasons you should give your dog a small amount of vanilla bean ice cream, how much they can take, and what to do when they eat too much.

Reasons Why Dogs Should Take Vanilla Beans Ice Cream in Small Amounts

The ingredients that make vanilla bean ice cream can be harmful to your dog, thus the reason you should give sparingly.

  1. Sugar

First, sugar can cause obesity in dogs because it can lead to an increase in appetite.

Your dog might start eating more because he wants to eat more sugar.

Secondly, Sugar can also lead to diabetes in dogs.

Too much sugar can create problems with insulin production, and your dog might have trouble controlling the amount of glucose in his bloodstream.

It could lead to diabetes over time. 

Thirdly, too much sugar can also cause dental problems.

The plaque on your dog’s teeth contains bacteria that feed off of sugars and starches.

That bacteria convert that sugar into acids that wear down your dog’s teeth and make them more vulnerable to cavities and other dental diseases.

  1. Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar substitute often used in ice cream, gum, candy, and other low-sugar products.

If your dog eats something with xylitol, he could suffer from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

This condition can lead to seizures and possibly even death if left untreated.

The severity of the symptoms your dog will experience depends on how much xylitol he has consumed and his current health status.

Signs of xylitol ingestion include vomiting, weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, and coma.

These symptoms can occur within 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion.

If you suspect your dog has ingested vanilla bean ice cream containing xylitol, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for treatment recommendations.

  1. lactose intolerance

Some dogs are lactose intolerant.

The symptoms may include constipation and an upset stomach.

However, vomiting is the most common sign that your dog is lactose intolerant.

This could be accompanied by lethargy and decreased energy levels, too.

If you notice these symptoms in your dog after eating dairy products and suspect that they may have lactose intolerance problems, take them to see the vet for confirmation and treatment advice.

  1. Additives

Some dogs are allergic to additives, and the longer they’re exposed to them, the more likely you’ll see extreme reactions.

Artificial coloring can cause skin problems.

But if your dog has a problem with artificial preservatives or other additives that don’t show up right away, prolonged exposure can lead to an allergic reaction.

Besides skin irritation, these reactions can also cause behavioral changes.

Many preservatives contain organohalide compounds that can act as neurotoxins and disrupt brain function. 

How much vanilla bean ice cream can a dog have?

The amount of vanilla bean ice cream the dog consumes depends on the ingredients that make it.

If the ice cream does not contain harmful ingredients for the dog, such as high sugar levels and additives, you can give more.

However, too much would still not be fit for the dog because it does not add nutritional value to the dog.

The maximum treat you can give your mutt is 10% of its diet.

When vanilla ice cream contains high sugar levels, xylitol, and additives, it’s advisable to avoid it altogether.

Always check the ingredients’ packaging if you must treat your dog with several vanilla bean ice cream licks.

Can Dogs Have Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Healthy Alternatives to Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 

You can make or serve vanilla bean ice cream with other healthy food options to make it beneficial to the dog. 

  • Make some unsweetened greek-style yogurt by putting it in a bowl and then freezing. Your dog will enjoy liking it, especially on hot days while he gets protein, calcium, and probiotics.
  • Blend some bananas or watermelon, plan in your dog’s serving bowl, and freeze it. It’s natural, healthy, and the pup will thank you.
  • Buy ice cream that is specifically made for dogs. Manufacturers make this vanilla ice cream with dog-friendly ingredients such as peanut butter.

What To Do If The Dog Overeats Vanilla Ice Cream?

If your dog has a sensitive tummy, it’s likely to have stomach upset or severe symptoms such as bloating, hunched back, diarrhea and listlessness.

You can take a step to calm your mutt by;

Let the dog fast for 24 hours- when you let him stay without food, you will give it the opportunity of excreting all the harmful ingredients.

Feed him with boiled rice and chicken- this combo is proven to ease stomach upset in dogs.

Give the dog small portions for several days as you slowly reintroduce its regular diet.

If the symptoms persist or are severe, call a veterinary doctor or visit a veterinary clinic with your fluffy companion.

Conclusion 

Hopefully, this article will help as you seek to give your dog the best treats.

If you need to give your furry friend a creamy treat of some vanilla bean ice cream, let it have one to two licks in a week.

When introducing your pooch to vanilla beans ice cream, give a single lick, then observe its reaction for the next 24 hours.

Generally, it’s best to give your dog vanilla bean ice cream in a minimal amount or avoid it altogether.

Megan Turner

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