I Scream, You Scream…Do Our Pets Scream For Ice Cream?

Rain or shine, ice cream brings us all great joy, but can we share this joy with our pets? There are plenty of photos and videos on the internet suggesting that maybe it’s okay, but here’s what you need to know when it comes to sharing the joy of ice cream with your fur babies:

1. Basic health concerns. Like many people, pets can also be lactose intolerant. However, even if yours is not, just keep an eye on the sugar content. For the same reasons we humans should not consume too much ice cream, our pets also want to avoid ice cream for reasons that could lead to obesity and other health problems.
2. Xylitol. If you’re going to share your creamy, sugary delight with your fur baby, be aware of xylitol. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in many of our sugary favorites is not a friend to our pets.
3. Avoid certain flavors and ingredients. As many pet owners know, chocolate can be harmful to dogs, so avoid chocolate flavored ice cream. Also avoid any with cherries, grapes, raisins, citrus fruits, and certain nuts.
4. Ice Cream Alternatives. Thankfully, there are alternatives you can get that are safe for your pets. You can feed your pets “nice cream,” which you can make at home using purely bananas. There are also ice cream alternatives made especially for your pets that you can find at your local pet store. TIP: Flavors your pets may enjoy: cinnamon, peanut butter, pumpkin, and coconut.

Here’s my personal favorite recipe to make “nice cream”!

1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
2 Tablespoons of Peanut butter
2 Tablespoons of Pumpkin
1/2 banana

Mix together in a blender, freeze in dixie cups, and serve!  You can always substitute yogurt for more peanut butter and 1/2 of a banana if you feel your dog is lactose intolerant.
I scream, you scream…our pets may or may not scream for ice cream. So, be mindful of any ice cream you may want to share with your precious fur babies.

Let us know if you tried making them, and what your pups thought of it!  Did they scream for “Nice Cream” ?!!

Bye for now!

Pawfect Pet & House Sitter
(702) 743-5768
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