It’s natural for pet owners to want to share their cold treats like ice cream with their dogs. But before you offer some ice cream to your dog, take a minute to consider that it might not be the healthiest option for them and can actually be harmful to their health. Here, Atlanta pet sitting company Critter Sitters will explain why ice cream isn’t an ideal sweet treat for dogs, will provide some alternatives to ice cream that you can give your dog, and give some information about other foods that you should avoid giving your dog.
Why Ice Cream Isn’t Good for Dogs
Ice cream isn’t a good snack option for dogs because it has two ingredients that can be harmful to dogs’ health: dairy and sugar. Dogs’ stomachs are not meant to digest milk and milk products (puppies are more tolerant to dairy products than adult dogs). If they do consume dairy, it’s likely that they’ll have gas, bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting, although gassiness is the most common.
Sugar is also not ideal for dogs because it can lead to obesity, especially in senior dogs and diabetic dogs. Beware of sugar-free ice cream as well because it may be sweetened with xylitol, which can be toxic for dogs. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that’s also used in gum, candy, and baked goods; it’s safe for humans to eat but when dogs eat it it can affect their blood sugar levels by causing them to release too much insulin.
Even if you find ice cream that uses a dairy alternative and a sugar substitute that isn’t xylitol, you should be careful of feeding it to your dog because the flavorings in the ice cream may be harmful to them. Chocolate ice cream, for example, should be avoided because it has theobromine, which can be toxic to dogs. Ice cream that has raisins and nuts in it should also be avoided; flavorings that have caffeine such as green tea and coffee should be avoided, too.
Ice Cream Alternatives You Can Feed Your Dog
Just because your dog can’t have ice cream doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy cool treats when it’s hot outside. There are many alternatives to ice cream that you can feed them. Ice cream products that are specially made for dogs are always a good choice. You could also make your own ice cream for them using dairy alternatives, a negligible amount of sugar. You can also freeze foods that are safe for them and feed them to your dog when it’s hot outside—you can use peanut butter, yogurt, bananas, other fruits, and even blends of savory foods. When all else fails, many dogs enjoy simply chewing on an ice cube.
Other Foods Besides Ice Cream to Avoid Feeding Your Dog
If you want to make sure that your dog is as healthy as possible, there are some foods that you should avoid feeding to them. Note that some of the following foods won’t be harmful if fed to your dog in small quantities, so there’s no need to worry if they get their paws on a bite or two of it. But to be safe, it’s best if the following foods are generally avoided.
Onions and Garlic
Aside from bad breath, onions and garlic can irritate dogs’ gastrointestinal systems and damage their red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Consuming too much onion and garlic can lead to weakness, vomiting, breathlessness, and loss of appetite.
Raw and Undercooked Meat
Raw and undercooked meat is dangerous to dogs in the same way that it’s dangerous to humans—it can carry both salmonella and E. coli, which can cause food poisoning. Only feed meat to your dog if it has been cooked properly using proper food handling techniques and was cooked without too much salt or other seasonings. Simple boiled or baked chicken is a good choice since it’s a good source of protein, especially if you and your dog frequent dog parks.
When you feed meat to your dog, make sure there aren’t any bones that they can choke on or swallow. Avoid feeding your dog too much fatty meat, too, since too much fat can lead to pancreatitis in dogs; raw eggs can be dangerous as well since they contain an enzyme unknown as avidin, which can block the absorption of biotin, leading to problems with their fur and nails.
Grapes and Raisins
Experts are certain that grapes (and grape products including grape jelly and raisins) are dangerous for dogs. Eating too many grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Salty Snacks
Foods that have a high salt content (such as chips and pretzels) can make dogs extremely thirsty, which can lead them to drink an unhealthy amount of water. If your dog has consumed too much salt, they will have diarrhea, depression, an elevated body temperature, and tremors.
Fruits with Pits
Most fruits (with the exception of grapes) are safe for dogs to eat. However, avoid fruits that have pits or other non-edible parts that they can choke on, such as cherries, peaches, and even avocados. Bananas and apples are the best fruits to feed your dog.
Pet Sitters for Dog Walking and Feeding in Atlanta
While you should avoid giving ice cream to your dog, that doesn’t mean that they can’t ever enjoy some cold treats in the hot weather. When you leave home, you want to be certain that your dog is being fed safe and healthy foods. If you use the pet sitting services of Atlanta dog sitting company Critter Sitters, you can be certain that your dog will be fed a diet that is right for them and their health. Get in touch with Critter Sitters today to discuss our pet walking and feeding services by calling (404) 793-6178.
