Can dogs eat ice cream?

Summer has arrived, and the weather is getting warmer. We also enjoy a refreshing ice cream in the heat, so it might seem logical to offer our dog the creamy treat. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

Even those who typically don’t eat sweets can be tempted by ice cream or slushies in the hot weather. That’s just how summer is — everyone tries to cool down in any way they can. Many pet owners might wonder if, since we enjoy it so much, dogs would also be happy with a refreshing treat and whether they can eat ice cream. The simple answer to this is yes, but it is important to choose the right kind of cold treat for your pet, as regular creamy ice cream or sorbet is not suitable for this purpose.

Why shouldn’t we offer ice cream to our dogs?

For a long time, there has been a belief circulating on the internet that you shouldn’t offer ice cream, ice cubes, or frozen treats to dogs because they “trick their bodies.” Instead of cooling them down, these treats supposedly overheat them, increasing the risk of hyperthermia or heat stroke. However, The Kennel Club explains that this is a myth, and a few cold bites can be just as refreshing for dogs as they are for humans. So, the problem is not with the coldness itself — in fact, some cooling treats can be beneficial in hot weather. The issue lies with the ingredients of the ice cream.

Most creamy ice creams contain milk or cream, which often cause digestive problems in dogs, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and general discomfort. Therefore, it’s best to avoid giving such items to your dog. However, this is not the only risk to a dog’s health. Dogs should also avoid the sugar found in ice creams. Unfortunately, offering sugar-free options doesn’t improve the situation and can even make it worse. Among sweeteners, xylitol poses the greatest danger to dogs, but experimenting with other sweeteners is not advisable either—it’s best to avoid them altogether. If that wasn’t enough, some flavors can cause serious problems for dogs on their own, such as chocolate.

A small taste of vanilla ice cream without sweeteners is probably harmless for most dogs. However, the majority of ingredients in typical ice creams are not good for dogs, so it is not recommended to give it to them.

What can they have instead?

If you want to give your pet a cooling treat, it’s worth starting with store-bought ice creams made for dogs. If you don’t want to buy these, homemade dog-friendly treats can also be perfect for this purpose. Blend the ingredients, pour the mixture into small silicone molds, and place them in the freezer. After a few hours, take them out, wait a few minutes, and give them to your pet. If you prefer a texture similar to ice cream, you can make a simple smoothie from frozen fruits (common and safe choices are strawberries or blueberries). This usually consists only of fruits and added water.