Can dogs eat ice cream?

Updated 13/04/2024

Ice cream is the ideal summertime indulgence for us humans - rich yet refreshing and with a flavor to suit everyone, it just makes sense on a hot day by the beach. But as you tuck into a fresh scoop, do you often find Fido pining by your side for a lap of the good stuff? We can't blame them. But that begs the question - can dogs eat ice cream - or is it simply too rich for our furry friends? Sadly, your pup will have to stick to dog ice cream or plain old dog treats when summer rolls around, as ice cream is bad news for our canine companions. Take a look below to find out why ice cream isn't the best choice for dogs as we review questions from pet parents on the topic.

Related article: Can dogs eat turkey?

Is ice cream poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat ice cream in even the smallest amounts, or is ice cream toxic to dogs for some reason? Well if your pup has just taken a swipe from your ice cream cone, it shouldn't cause any nasty reactions unless it contains the common sweetener, xylitol, or toxic flavors/toppings (that we will talk about later). Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs, so if your pooch has ingested something containing it, you should contact your vet immediately. And if those puppy dog eyes are far too irresistible every time you enjoy a scoop, why not check out a dog ice cream that you're sure is full-proof for canine consumption?   

Related article: Can dogs eat strawberries?

Why is ice cream bad for dogs?

So can dogs eat ice cream in even the smallest amounts, or is it straight up junk food for our canine companions? And can dogs have plain ice cream if it simply doesn't contain xylitol, have any toxic flavorings/additives/topics or is dairy free? Well as a rule of thumb, we really don't advise giving ice cream to your pup, no matter how nicely she asks. Why? Well firstly, ice cream is seriously high in fat and sugar (which is probably why it's so appealing in the land of 'people food'), which is never good for our furry friends. Foods that are high in fat and sugar can cause dogs to develop serious health issues like dental disease, obesity, diabetes, gut problems, and so on! Furthermore, ice cream will worsen matters for dogs who already have these health issues!

The next thing is xylitol - a common sweetener found in so many of the foods we humans eat all the time. Sadly, it's incredibly toxic to dogs, making ice cream that contains it seriously dangerous to your dog's health. And as for ice cream flavors and toppings, well many can be harmful to dogs (think chocolate, rum and raisin), so they should always be steered clear of.

And now onto lactose - as you'll probably know, ice cream is pretty high in lactose, which is of course harmless to humans (as long as there's no lactose intolerance, that is), but it's a different story for our canine companions. While they rely on milk as new puppies, their ability to produce the enzyme that breaks down lactose reduces as they grow into adulthood. So, eating products containing lactose could result in an upset stomach for your furry friend. Signs of lactose intolerance include vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, refusal to eat, and tummy pain. Prolonged lactose intolerance can lead to issues like weight loss and/or dehydration. If you notice signs of lactose intolerance in your pet, do consult a vet.

With this in mind then, can puppies have ice cream? Well while they're more likely to be able to tolerate the lactose, we wouldn't advise feeding even plain ice cream to your puppy - its fat and sugar content really won't do them any nutritional favors. 

Related article: Can dogs eat popcorn?

What to do if your dog eats ice cream

If while your head was turned, your curious canine managed to nab a lap of a plain ice cream that doesn't contain any xylitol, or toppings/flavorings that are toxic to dogs, you should be in the clear - a small amount won't cause any excessive weight gain or diabetes. But, if your pup has somehow managed to polish off an entire portion of ice cream, you should ask your vet for advice. You may be told to simply monitor your pup's symptoms, or you may need to head in for an emergency appointment, depending on the ingredients/toppings used to make the ice cream your dog ingested (for instance if there was chocolate in the ice cream, it’s an emergency and your dog has to see the vet asap!). 

Related article: Can dogs eat garlic?

Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs

If your pup has eaten a portion of ice cream containing xylitol, it's important you contact your vet immediately, as it’s an emergency. Symptoms of xylitol toxicity in dogs include:

• Lack of coordination.
• Difficulty walking or standing.
• Vomiting.
• Tremors.
• Seizures.
• Coma.

Other dairy and ice cream products

So, while we advise sticking to dog ice cream or good old fashioned dog treats, you might naturally have a few questions around feeding dogs dairy - it's not a clear cut answer, afterall.

Does the flavor of the ice cream make any difference? 

So can dogs have vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream, or some other flavor? We don't advise allowing your furry friend to indulge in even plain ice cream, let alone ice creams flavored and sweetened with potentially toxic ingredients.

Can dogs eat frozen yogurt?

Fro-yo is a much safer option if you'd like to treat your pooch to an ice-cold yet creamy snack on a hot summer's day. Just be sure to keep it completely plain - that means no sugar, sweeteners or flavorings in sight. And like with any dog treat, keep it to a minimum to dodge unnecessary weight gain. Also, you should minimize the chances of brain freeze in your dogs! It’s common for us humans to get “brain freeze” (a temporary headache) after eating cold snacks. While brain freeze has not been established in dogs yet, it’s sensible to reduce the risk by feeding the fro-yo in small amounts or mixing it with room-temperature snacks! 

Can dogs eat ice cream cones?

We don't advise sharing even the ice cream cone with your pooch - it's packed with fat and sugar which have no place in the canine diet.

Related article: Can dogs eat cantaloupe?

Meet our veterinary expert, Jnanee

This article has been checked by veterinarian Jnanee Krishnasamy, BVSc (Massey). Dr Jnanee is a small animal veterinarian. She was born in sunny Singapore and spent her formative years there, before studying veterinary medicine at

Massey University. Since graduating from vet school, Dr Jnanee has worked in a variety of settings that include private practice, shelter medicine, and veterinary telemedicine. Due to her varied experiences, she is well-informed on many aspects of the veterinary industry!

Other foods that are not safe for dogs

So, now you're all clued-up on the question - can dogs eat ice cream - explore the other foods dogs can't eat.

• Avocado
• Grapes
• Foraged mushrooms