My dog licked a Ben & Jerry's ice cream lid. Should I be worried?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

  Veterinarian

  Hi and thanks for posting!
  
  Ice cream is full of sugar and fat which can be harmful to dogs in large enough quantities. Ice cream also may contain other ingredients such as chocolate which can be toxic to dogs depending on how much and the kind of chocolate consumed.
  
  There shouldn't be much on the ice cream lid, but it is hard to say without knowing exactly how much was consumed or if the ice cream contained chocolate or not.
  
  I would keep an eye on Tofu and monitor her for signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, pacing, panting, or any other behavioral abnormalities. Tofu should see a veterinarian if any of these signs are noticed.
  
  I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

  

  3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

  Veterinarian

  Published on May 9th, 2017

  Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach today to find out if chocolate chip cookie dough ice creams poses any risk to your dog. Dogs can indulge in small amounts of some flavors of ice cream, but moderation is key; a spoonful or two of ice cream once or twice a week is generally OK. A few licks of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream is unlikely to cause any problems, even if she ate a chocolate chip or two or some cookie dough. Because dogs have trouble breaking down lactose, consuming larger amounts of ice cream can lead to gastrointestinal issues. The high fat content of ice cream could also lead to more serious issues, including pancreatitis. Beware of sugar-free brands and flavors that contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. I hope Maggy enjoyed her snack! :-)

  

  8Pet Parents found this answer helpful