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

Rain or shine, and in Arizona, mostly shine, ice cream brings us joy, and it’s tempting to share a lick with your best friend. But before you hand over the cone, here’s what every pet parent should know about dogs, cats, and frozen treats.

Can Dogs and Cats Eat Ice Cream?

It’s best avoided. Like many people, plenty of pets are lactose intolerant, so dairy can mean an upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea. And even for pets that tolerate dairy, the sugar and fat in ice cream can contribute to obesity and other health problems over time, the same reasons we’re told to go easy on it ourselves.

The Ingredients That Are Actually Dangerous

Some ice cream ingredients aren’t just unhealthy, they’re toxic:

• Xylitol, this artificial sweetener, found in many “sugar-free” and low-calorie treats, is extremely dangerous to dogs even in small amounts. Always check the label.
• Chocolate, toxic to dogs and cats, so skip any chocolate flavor.
• Coffee, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, and cherries, all of these can be harmful, so avoid any flavor that includes them.

Better Frozen Treats for Your Pet

The good news: you can absolutely share a cool treat, especially on a hot Arizona afternoon. Try these pet-safe options instead:

• A “pup cup” of plain, xylitol-free dog ice cream from many drive-thrus and pet stores.
• Frozen plain banana slices or a little frozen plain pumpkin.
• Frozen xylitol-free peanut butter stuffed in a rubber toy, a long-lasting hot-day treat.
• Plain ice cubes, which many dogs love to crunch.

Frozen Treats FAQ

Is a little vanilla ice cream okay for my dog?

A tiny lick of plain vanilla likely won’t hurt a dog that isn’t lactose intolerant, but it offers no benefit and the sugar and fat add up. A pet-safe frozen treat is the better choice.

What frozen treat is safest on a hot Arizona day?

Frozen plain banana, frozen xylitol-free peanut butter in a toy, or a store-bought pup cup are all great ways to help your pet cool down safely.

What do I do if my dog eats something with xylitol?

Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line immediately, xylitol poisoning is a medical emergency for dogs.

Keeping pets cool and safe through an Arizona summer is what we do best. If you’re traveling or working long days, our team offers pet sitting and dog walking timed around the heat across Anthem, Scottsdale, and North Phoenix.