Strawberry ice cream is one of the tastiest ice creams around. When enjoying this tasty cold treat, you may consider giving some to your furry friend. Often when our doggies are by our side, it becomes irresistible to give them some. However, before letting your pooch have some again, read on to see if strawberry ice cream is safe for your canine.
No, dogs shouldn’t have strawberry ice cream because the lactose in ice cream causes toxicity in dogs. However, some pet owners may persist in letting their doggies have strawberry ice cream. Dogs can only have a small amount and nothing more in this situation. Giving strawberry ice cream too often or in amounts too large can cause health problems, for example, pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal health issues.
In this article, I’ll review the specific ingredients in strawberry ice cream that can harm your canine’s health. I’ll also review the consequences of your dog eating ice cream and healthy alternatives to consider instead. However, before getting to these answers, let’s first look at the reasons doggies shouldn’t eat strawberry ice cream.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Ice Cream?
Doggies shouldn’t eat strawberry ice cream because the lactose, fat, and artificial sweeteners in ice cream are not suitable for our furry friends.
Ice cream consists mainly of milk, which contains lactose or “milk sugar.” However, dogs don’t digest lactose. This is because canines lose the ability to break down lactose once weaned from their mother. Afterward, doggies become lactose intolerant.
For lactose-intolerant doggies, lactose accumulates in the intestine, as it is not absorbed into their bloodstream. When this happens, our furry friends suffer from gastrointestinal disturbances, such as stomach aches, bloating, and diarrhea. These disturbances occur as the body attempts to eliminate the undigested lactose.
The good news is that you can avoid lactose intolerance symptoms in dogs by simply not giving them treats or food with any milk.
Nevertheless, some pet owners sometimes want their dear Fido to enjoy a taste of the good things they also like. But when this is the case, we recommend only a very small amount and only occasionally.
How Much Strawberry Ice Cream Can Dogs Safely Eat?
Because of their lactose intolerance, It isn’t truly safe to allow doggies to have any strawberry ice cream, even as a treat. Lactose causes gastrointestinal problems in doggies.
Nevertheless, if you still decide to give your furry friend strawberry ice cream, you should do that with discretion.
Doggies shouldn’t have more than 2 licks or 2 teaspoons of ice cream and only after 3-months intervals.
Can My Dog Lick Strawberry Ice Cream?
No, you should not permit your canine buddy to lick strawberry ice cream because of the lactose in it.
Lactose is the primary ingredient in strawberry ice cream that harms dogs. Dogs are lactose intolerant, so consuming ice cream is likely to cause digestion problems. Other ingredients such as high calories, fat, and sweeteners can harm dogs, as explained below.
Artificial Sweeteners
Apart from lactose, ice cream contains artificial sweeteners that give it a sweet and sharp taste. Some artificial sugars in ice cream may not be toxic. However, some sweeteners, such as xylitol, are toxic.
If an ice cream contains xylitol artificial sweeteners, you should never let your furry friend have any. Xylitol toxicity can cause liver failure, hypoglycemia, liver failures, or even death.
Also, there is a risk of diabetes from artificial sweeteners since they affect blood sugar regulation.
High Calories
Ice cream is exceptionally high in calories. Ice cream contains milk protein, milk solids, soya, and cream. These high-calorie ingredients cause risks of obesity and pancreatitis in dogs.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Strawberry Ice Cream?
Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach aches can occur when a dog eats strawberry ice cream. However, these conditions typically only occur if a pooch eats a large quantity of strawberry ice cream.
With small amounts, your pooch may not experience any ailments or stomach disturbances after eating strawberry ice cream.
Is Strawberry Ice Cream Bad For Dogs?
Yes, strawberry ice cream can be bad for dogs when they eat too much or too frequently. Too much strawberry ice cream can cause stomach aches, diarrhea, or vomiting. This is because of the lactose in the ice cream that dogs can’t digest.
Also, when eaten too frequently, doggies’ digestive tract can become overloaded with unbroken lactose. This can further lead to other gastrointestinal health problems.
Are There Alternatives To Strawberry Ice Cream For Doggies?
Yes, there are alternatives to strawberry ice cream for doggies. Try lactose-free frozen treats, such as smoothies, using fruits or vegetables.
Blend bananas into a smooth paste and freeze it to produce a creamy texture similar to ice cream. You and your doggies can enjoy this safely. You can also use strawberries, watermelons, or pumpkins to make cold treats for your canine buddies.
Consider feeding dogs Puppy Scoops’ ice cream specially made for pooches. For our four-legged furry friends, these ice creams are lactose-free, a better choice than lactose-based ice creams.
Ultimately, the most important thing to remember when giving your furry companions any of these frozen treats is the amount. You should not give them more than two teaspoons. This will help prevent diarrhea and other stomach disturbances.
