Having a dog and cat in the same house can be quite enjoyable. You get to have two adorable pets that will give you joy. However, it can also mean two different needs. Thus, if you buy a treat for your dog, you may wonder if you can share some with your cat.
So, you may ask: Can cats eat dog ice cream? Although dog ice cream doesn’t contain anything toxic, your cat can’t eat such in large quantities. This food has ingredients combined to give dogs a safe treat. Since canines and felines differ in some ways, dog ice cream should remain only for dogs. Give your cat other alternatives instead.
As cats grow up, they lose the enzymes needed to digest lactose. Thus, many of them find it challenging to eat dairy products well, and among these products is ice cream.
In this article, we’ll tackle everything you need to know about dog ice cream and its effects on cats. This way, you can understand the risks involved if you share some with your feline pet.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Contents
Is dog ice cream OK for cats?
In general, all kinds of ice cream isn’t suitable for cats. The reason is that such a treat contains components that are quite unhealthy for felines.
For instance, ice cream’s essential ingredients are sugar, milk, and cream. Now, this part is where dog ice cream becomes an exception.
Many homemade dog ice cream only contains yogurt and fresh fruits of choice. Thus, it’s free from toxic components that can also harm your cat.
While the fruits may be alright for your cat, they may not take the yogurt well.
Related: Can Cats Eat Vanilla Ice Cream?
What happens if my cat eats dog ice cream?
Dog Ice Cream is specifically made for dogs, so it’s not for cats to consume.
Since dog ice cream doesn’t have anything toxic for cats, your pet should be alright. However, some instances can happen that your pet may suffer from complications.
For instance, a dog ice cream contains yogurt that still has lactose despite the small amount. Thus, your pet may suffer from an upset stomach or diarrhea after eating. If your pet eats a lot of it, diarrhea can grow worse.
Another thing would be its sweetener. While the usual sweetener would be sugar, it can’t do any good for cats. The sweetener will only increase the sugar in your pet’s blood. For this reason, always make sure that the dog ice cream you make doesn’t contain any sugar or sweetener aside from the fruits.
It won’t be good for cats to eat too many sweet treats like us. Thus, avoid it as much as possible.
Risks of feeding your cat dog ice cream
Since dog ice cream consists of dogs’ ingredients, it’s not recommendable for cats. For this reason, you may want to know a few things about feeding your cat some dog ice cream.
The yogurt is not recommendable.
Although cats can eat yogurt without problems, it can still cause diarrhea and an upset stomach.
In general, all kinds of dairy products are not ideal for cats, so the yogurt in a dog ice cream isn’t exactly perfect.
Of course, it probably won’t hurt to share a few spoons with your cat. However, always be careful not to give too much.
The yogurt may contain too much fat.
Of course, since it’s for dogs, the ice cream would have less fat than the regular one we enjoy. However, dogs have bigger bodies than cats to tolerate more fats.
For this reason, limit the dog ice cream to less than what your dog can take.
Dog Ice Cream is for dogs.
As I said a while ago, people make dog ice cream designed to satisfy dogs and not cats. For this reason, it would be best to give other alternatives.
What to give your cat instead?
Instead of giving dog ice cream, you can offer treats made solely for cats. This way, you can ensure your feline pet only eats the ingredients and food that are safe.
For instance, here are four treats you can give to your cat as an alternative to dog ice cream:
Frozen Tuna Snacks
Felines would never say no to tuna, and giving it frozen will add a unique effect on it. You can place tuna on a small mound and put it in the freezer.
Cat Ice Cream
It has ingredients designed to be cat-friendly. You can get one at pet stores, or you can simply make your own. However, make sure the components get your vet’s approval.
Ice
Cats love ice, and it’s the most uncomplicated treat you can give. It’s a great way to keep your pet hydrated and its paws cool at the same time. You can offer it mixed into food or water, whichever suits you.
Frozen Cat Food
Sometimes, we want to turn their daily food into something special. If you feel like it, you can pour the contents of your cat food into a dish and let it freeze. This way, you can serve cat food with a twist.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Chocolate Ice Cream?
Summary
In general, dog ice cream is safe for cats to eat. However, it can also cause complications if fed in large amounts. For this reason, always remember that dogs and cats differ in nutritional needs. Thus, what may be healthy for dogs may not be the same for cats.
Still, it’s not reason enough to stop giving treats to your cat. However, instead of sharing some dog ice cream, you can offer other cool goodies. It will be much better for your cat, and you won’t have to worry about its health.
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