When heatwaves hit, ice cream sales soar. An ice lolly is a tonic on a scorching day. The science of whether it actually physically cools your body temperature down is debatable, but if it refreshes you, that’s the job half done. Our pooches also relish a refresher during heatwaves, so alongside providing a doggy paddling pool, it leads many of us to ask if dogs can eat ice cream?
Can dogs eat ice cream?
So, can dogs eat ice cream? In a conventional sense, no – dogs can not share your treats from the ice cream van. The ice creams that we eat is typically packed with sugar and other unsuitable ingredients. In particular, ice cream that contains chocolate or the sweetener xylitol is toxic to dogs. But there is certainly no harm in feeding suitable frozen food – or dog-safe ice cream – to your dog during a heatwave. Helen Masters, a canine behaviourist, rehabilitator and trainer based in Kent, uses this strategy.
“It’s normal for dogs to go off their food during hot days, so don’t panic,” she says. “A trick I like to use is to give my dogs their food frozen. I feed a raw food diet so instead of defrosting it, I give them it as it comes. This gives them enrichment as they must work harder to get the food and helps as a cooling aid, too, like eating an ice lolly. If they are fed processed kibble it’s a little difficult and probably even less appetising so you could substitute this for frozen chicken, duck or goose wings.”
How to make ice cream for a dog
For those who don’t mind a bit of prep time in the kitchen, it’s fun to make home-made ice lollies for your dogs. Helen cautions “not to go overboard with fruit or meat frozen cubes as well as their normal food, as this can give the stomach-ache and diarrhoea”. Just be aware that extra food is a treat, and should be considered within their daily calorific intake.
Canine ice cream kits and pre-made dog ice cream mixes are available, but natural dog food brand Harringtons has three recipe suggestions for healthy doggy ice lollies if you’d like to start from scratch – keep scrolling to find them.
Smoofl Ice Cream Mix | Amazon.co.uk
This doggy ice cream mix is available in six flavours – apple, strawberry, watermelon, peanut butter, mango or banana!
Smoofl Dog Ice Cream Kit | Amazon.co.uk
Available in three different flavours, this kit has everything you need to make grain-, lactose- and fat-free ice cream suitable for all dog breeds.
An ice lolly mold is ideal, and there are even some dog-themed options, however do not use sticks as these are a choking hazard. (Although you might also find these recipes so tasty, you’ll want to save a couple of lollies with sticks for the humans). Alternatively, if you don’t have any lolly moulds, you could use an ice cube tray for smaller treats – these paw silicone moulds are just the ticket!
Paw-shaped Ice Cream Molds | Amazon.co.uk
These silicone paw-shaped ice molds can also be used for baking.
Paw-shaped Ice Cube Trays | Amazon.co.uk
These ice cube trays will give you super-cute paw-shaped cubes.
Dog ice cream recipes
Berry flavour
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 400g Greek yogurt
- 1tblsp honey
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smooth and pour into ice lolly moulds. Freeze for three hours, and they’re ready to serve.
Banana and peanut butter flavour
- 1 banana
- 400g Greek yogurt
- 1 tblsp honey
- 2 tblsp natural peanut butter (NB check the ingredients to ensure there is no xylitol, as this is present in some peanut butter and is toxic to dogs)
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smooth and pour into ice lolly moulds. Freeze for three hours, and they’re ready to serve.
Peamutt Butter | Amazon.co.uk
This dog-safe peanut butter is a good source of protein, and contains heart healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin and vitamin E.
Pets Purest Peanut Butter | Amazon.co.uk
This specially formulated dog-safe peanut butter is free from palm oil, xylitol, salt, added sugar and gluten.
Strawberry and banana flavour
- 1 banana
- 1 cup strawberries
- 400g Greek yogurt
- 1 tblsp honey
Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smooth and pour into ice lolly moulds. Freeze for three hours, and they’re ready to serve.
Harringtons advises: “Although these treats are super tasty, be sure your pooch doesn’t overindulge, one a day is plenty! It’s important to make sure your dog is getting a nutritious, balanced diet and maintains a healthy weight.”
You may also enjoy reading…
Oh so cool! Best dog cooling jackets to help prevent your pooch overheating
Make a splash! The best paddling pools for dogs
Simply delicious: the best natural dog treats
Best dog cooling mats for hot and bothered pooches
Ready for the heatwave? How to keep your dog cool in summer
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