Is ice cream safe for dogs? What should I know before giving it?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dogs typically do not have a complete intolerance to dairy, but as it is not a mainstay of their dietary needs, it can cause GI upset. I typically do not recommend giving dogs straight milk, and lower sugar ice creams can have artificial sugars (such as xylitol) which are toxic to dogs. Regular ice cream or cheese can be fine in small amounts but it based on each individual animal. If you want to give your dog anything dairy as a small treat, only start with one thing in very small amounts to see how Brody tolerates it and ensure he doesn't develop any vomiting/diarrhea.

Thank you for relying PetCoach today to ask if you can give your dog [strawberry](https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/strawberries/) ice cream. Yes and no. A small amount of strawberry [ice cream](https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/ice-cream/) occasionally may be fine, but it could also lead to stomach upset in sensitive dogs. Most dogs are lactose intolerant, which means they may have difficulty digesting dairy products. If you choose to offer strawberry ice cream, make sure it does not contain xylitol (an artificial sweetener), chocolate, [raisins](https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/raisins/) or macadamia nuts. These ingredients are all toxic to dogs.

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The main concern in chocolate is the cocoa itself, and there is very little cocoa in white chocolate. I don't see in your profile what type of pet you have, but if it's a dog or cat they will likely be fine. Watch for signs of GI upset, as that can happen with any kind of new food (especially with higher fat content) but I suspect they'll be fine. However, I would recommend sticking with healthier treats to share with your pet and keeping ice cream and chocolate for yourself :-) Hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to pet coach. Generally there is no need to be concerned about ingestion of a very small amount of this type of ice cream. Larger amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even pancreatitis in some dogs. However, a small amount is really not going to affect a dog like Tofu. Thank you for reaching out.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to reach out to our experts about feeding your dog frozen yogurt. While it is safe to feed frozen yogurt, moderation is important. Plain frozen yogurt with no sweeteners is best as too much sugar, just as with humans, is not the healthiest option. Avoid artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, as these can be toxic and cause health problems. Feeding small portions is best and take care in paying attention to the additional calories that are being added into the diet, especially with obese prone animals. Yogurt can be a good addition to a bland diet as well. However, if you are seeking the benefits of the probiotics in yogurt for your dog, look at veterinary specific probiotics as these contain probiotics specific to a pet's natural biome.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Rocky. No, I do not recommend giving vanilla ice cream. It will likely make the loose stool worse. Dogs do not digest lactose well. Ice cream is also high in fat which can exacerbate diarrhea if given in large quantities. If possible, he should have fecal testing to see if you can determine the cause of the diarrhea. He will likely need a deworming medication and possibly an antibiotic. I hope this information helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dogs and cats are actually lactose intolerant. Some do handle certain dairy products ok while others develop tummy upset (vomit and diarrhea). If you want to give Bruno dairy products start with small amounts to see how he handles it. If he develops tummy upset he shouldn't be fed dairy. Have a great day!