Can dogs or cats eat ice cream?

September 8, 2023
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s care, treatment, or medical conditions.

Can dogs eat ice cream?

Nope, your dog shouldn't eat ice cream. Not even a little bit.

This probably won't come as news to you, but ice cream contains high levels of sugar and fat. This can lead to weight gain and obesity in dogs, especially if they eat it regularly or in large amounts. Obesity can result in a variety of health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems.

Plus, some types of ice cream contain ingredients like chocolate or raisins, which are toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of these ingredients can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even kidney failure in severe cases.

And some types of ice creams contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is extremely toxic for dogs.

On top of all this, many dogs are lactose intolerant, which means they're unable to digest dairy products properly. For these pups, eating ice-cream can cause digestive problems like bloating and diarrhea.

So no, your dog shouldn't ice cream. Should humans? Well, that's a matter for debate.

If your dog requires veterinary treatment due to eating ice cream (or any other unsafe food), pet insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.

Can cats eat ice cream?

It's unsafe for cats to eat ice cream, and there a a few reasons why. (None of this will come as a shock to you!)

First off, most types of ice cream contain high amounts of sugar and fat, which can cause obesity in cats. This can lead to various health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and joint issues.

Secondly, many brands of ice cream contain ingredients that are toxic to cats. For example, chocolate flavored ice creams often contain the chemical theobromine, which is harmful to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even seizures in severe cases.

Some types of ice creams also contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which can be extremely dangerous for felines even in small quantities. Xylitol has been known to cause liver damage and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in cats within just a few hours of ingestion.

As if that weren't enough, many cats are lactose intolerant, which means they're unable to digest dairy products properly. For these felines, eating ice-cream can cause digestive problems like bloating and diarrhea.

The bottom line: No ice cream for your kitty. Sorry.

If your cat requires veterinary treatment due to eating onions (or any other unsafe food), pet insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.

Information Purposes Only

The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian. 

Pet Poison Emergency Protocol

If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).

Food Safety Statuses

Safe

Could be given almost daily without harm

Safe in moderation

Not toxic, but should not be given regularly

Unsafe

Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet