Serve your furry friend some Dairy Queen (DQ) ice cream and watch how they’ll wag that tail nonstop.
DQ restaurant keeps your dog busy on the patio with an ice cream pup cup as you dine in.
You can join them and eat from the patio; it’s way fun, but how safe is this practice?
So, can dogs eat dairy queen ice cream?
Yes, Dairy Queen ice cream isn’t toxic but also not healthy for canines.
Ice cream contains fats, sugars, and flavors dangerous for dogs, especially those with underlying medical issues like diabetes and obesity.
At DQ restaurant, you can pick dog ice cream with fewer additives for your pup.
Feed your dog ice cream in moderate amounts to avoid adverse health problems.
This article informs you of the dangers of feeding Dairy Queen ice cream to dogs and the benefits, quantity, and options for dog-friendly alternatives.
Generally, it’s safe for dogs to eat DQ ice cream, but there are exceptions you should know before serving a delicious scoop to your furry friend.
What is Dairy Queen ice cream: Is it safe for dogs?
Dairy Queen is a chain of restaurants with dog-friendly ice cream famous for offering pup cups.
This dog treat contains a soft serve with vanilla ice cream in the middle, topped with dog biscuits.
Although dog-friendly, the ice cream still contains high sugars, artificial flavors, and sweeteners that could hurt your canine friend.
The pup cup option is preferred for its subtle dog-safe flavors and ingredients.
Dairy Queen Pup cup is loaded with calcium, excellent for your dog’s bones and teeth, improves heart health, and boosts neural functioning.
It also contains traces of proteins that promote cell development and boosts body mass.
Is Dairy Queen ice cream bad for dogs? Health risks
Dairy Queen ice cream (pup cup treat) contains sugar, artificial sweeteners, milk, and cream.
The dog biscuits are not an issue; the ice cream ingredients matter.
High sugars
Dairy Queen Pup cups contain sugars for palatability; thus, they are not ideal in large quantities.
The added sugars are complex for your dog to digest, risking weight gain, diabetes, and pancreatitis.
Sugar also increases the chances of tooth decay in dogs since they don’t brush frequently, and the tartar becomes worse.
Milk and cream
Little milk or cream is fine unless your dog is lactose intolerant.
Puppies produce enough lactase during breastfeeding, but the production decreases as they wean off and transition to solid food.
Therefore, most senior dogs cannot break down the protein in dairy making them lactose intolerant.
Some dogs are allergic to milk products, and Dairy Queen Pup cups may cause digestive distress.
Symptoms of milk allergies manifest as nausea, poor appetite, excess paw licking, and itching followed by skin rashes.
Consult your vet to know of any preexisting allergies and medical conditions.
High fats
Low and free-fat ice cream is the best to add to your pet’s daily diet.
This Dairy Queen Pup cup contains increased fats and calories that will risk inflaming your dog’s pancreas leading to pancreatitis if taken in large amounts frequently.
Excess fat also impacts your dog’s longevity due to the risk of weight gain and joint degeneration.
Dairy Queen Pup cup is dog-friendly; however, there are other flavors with added artificial sweeteners like xylitol.
Even in small amounts, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and can lead to low blood sugar and liver damage.
Symptoms of xylitol toxicity in dogs include;
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Collapse
Kidney and liver damage
How to feed your dog Dairy Queen ice cream
Adding ice cream to your dog’s diet is not recommended, but you can offer it as an occasional reward.
However, consider their weight, size, calorie intake, and preexisting health condition.
Be keen on their daily calorie requirements to avoid fat-related diseases like pancreatitis for overweight dogs.
Start small and adjust the portions according to how your dog reacts to the ice cream.
Stop feeding canines ice cream if they show signs of gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset.
Are there healthier alternatives to Dairy Queen ice cream treats for dogs?
If you’re an ice cream fanatic, you can still make some homemade frozen treats with dog-safe ingredients and share them with your favorite four-legged friend.
Banana ice cream: Freeze bananas and blend, then serve to your canine.
Frozen applesauce
Frozen plain pumpkin
Frozen fruits mixed with unsweetened or Greek yogurt
Frozen low-sodium chicken or beef broth
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Will ice cream hurt my dog?
It depends on several factors, but ice cream in small amounts won’t harm your canine.
However, if your dog is diabetic, the high sugar will worsen the condition.
Additionally, the dairy in ice cream will harm lactose intolerant dogs.
This will lead to stomach upsets that manifest as bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Consult your vet before feeding your dog ice cream to avoid compromising their health.
What do you get your dog at Dairy Queen?
You can order a dog pup cup at Dairy Queen.
It’s a soft-serve of vanilla topped with a dog treat like biscuits or cupcakes.
First, get your vets’ approval; otherwise, it might cause more harm than good.
Can puppies have Dairy Queen ice cream safely?
It depends. Puppies have lactase that can tolerate the dairy in ice cream; thus, suitable for them. On the flip side, puppies are still developing, and their digestive system cannot fully break down other elements in Dairy Queen ice cream, increasing their stomach sensitivity.
Wrapping up
Remember that even the healthiest dog needs moderation—sweet treats have excess sugars and calories that you should reserve for special occasions.
Don’t despair; treat your furry friend to a pup cup at Dairy Queen once in a while—don’t make it a habit.
Before that, ensure your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, diabetic, or prone to obesity.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
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.
