It’s a well-known fact that dogs can’t eat chocolate. But can dogs eat chocolate ice cream? Though delicious, chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are highly toxic to dogs. These chemicals are closely related and fall under the scientific label of methylxanthines, all of which are harmful to dogs.
The Technical Answer
We cannot stress enough that you should not give chocolate ice cream to dogs. It’s not worth the risk! However, if we’re being technical about our answers, some chocolate ice creams are okay for dogs to eat which is why we get so many pet parents asking: can dogs eat chocolate ice cream?
The primary cause for concern when dogs ingest chocolate is theobromine, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea at low doses. Higher doses, such as those found in chocolate, can induce seizures and lead to death.
Some ice cream brands opt not to use true chocolate and will use flavoring instead. In these cases, the ice cream will taste like chocolate without containing the same chemicals. This means that, on a technicality, it can be fed to your dog. It is not worth the risk, however, and you should not ever attempt to feed chocolate ice cream to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Ice Cream?
Unlike chocolate, strawberries are a delicious and fun snack for pups. While it may be logical to assume that this means strawberry ice cream is safe for dogs, this isn’t exactly true.
Strawberry ice cream is safe, but it should be provided in small quantities! More importantly, as with any new treat, you’ll want to monitor your dog afterward. With any ice cream, the biggest thing to watch for is indigestion. Many dogs suffer from lactose intolerance, and ice cream can upset their stomachs.
Ice cream is also high in fats and sugar. Like us, dogs should limit their consumption of such delightful food components. Some ice creams may also opt to forgo sugar and use artificial sweeteners instead. One of the most popular sweeteners is xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs. Never feed a product with xylitol to your dog.
We should mention that strawberries ARE a healthy treat for dogs.
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All of this information is a lot to remember. Between reading labels and double-checking chemicals, there’s a lot of stress involved in finding the perfect treat for your pooches. Fortunately, The Dog Bakery is here to help. Skip all the hassle and check out our line of dog-safe ice creams!
