Is Vanilla Ice Cream Bad for Dogs & Puppies to Have?
Vanilla ice cream is tasty, and lots of people love it. However, it appears humans are not the only ones that love this food. Dogs also love it.
There are lots of things dogs can eat. Vanilla ice cream is one of them. While it is okay for your dog to eat vanilla ice cream, it is not a food that is recommended for dogs. Some canines cannot deal with lactose. When such dogs take vanilla ice cream, they could get sick. Besides containing lactose that some dogs are intolerant to, vanilla ice cream has a lot of sugar and could cause diabetes and obesity in dogs.
The truth is, you will not be doing your dog a favor when you give it vanilla ice cream. Nonetheless, if your dog enjoys eating vanilla ice cream, you can give it some ice cream. However, this must be done very moderately. A spoonful very occasionally will not cause your dog any harm. Regardless of this, before going ahead to give your dig vanilla ice cream, you should talk to your vet.
Vanilla Ice Cream Made for Dogs
Vanilla ice cream made for humans is not perfect for your dog. Nonetheless, you do not have to worry. There is an alternative. This alternative is vanilla ice cream for dogs. Unlike vanilla ice cream made for humans, it will not cause your dog any harm. It is a powder that you need to mix with water and then freeze before giving it to your dog. Vanilla ice cream for dogs is free from lots of sugar. It also is dairy-free, grain-free, ad gluten-free.
Can Vanilla Ice Cream Harm Dogs?
Generally, when taken in high quantity, vanilla ice cream can harm dogs. However, dogs do not need to take it in huge amounts before they are hurt, as small amounts can also cause harm to some dogs. This is because, apart from its high sugar content, vanilla ice cream contains other ingredients that dogs cannot deal with.
Some of the ingredients in vanilla ice cream that digs cannot deal with are;
Xylitol
Xylitol is an ingredient that is found in vanilla ice cream brands that contain low sugar. These brands usually replace sugar with a sweetener. This sweeter is known as xylitol and can cause harm to dogs.
When dogs eat vanilla ice cream containing xylitol, they could suffer from low blood sugar levels. This is because dogs’ pancreas assumes xylitol is the same as real sugar. Due to this, they put out more insulin. Once released, the insulin takes out the body’s real sugar, thereby leaving the dog’s body without enough sugar.
Additionally, xylitol can lead to liver failure. This is considered deadlier than low blood sugar levels. The exact cause of this, however, is not known.
In 2016 alone, there were 250 reported issues of dogs dealing with xylitol poisoning. One of these dogs died as a result. Lots of dogs that suffered from xylitol poisoning in 2016 chewed gum that contained xylitol.
For your dog to get affected by xylitol’s presence in vanilla ice cream, it will need to eat a lot. Nonetheless, you do not have to wait for your dog to get into trouble before applying caution.
Huge Sugar Content
You should not give your dog vanilla ice cream because of its sugar content. Lots of people know that sugar is not very good for the human body system. These people, however, do not know that sugar is also not very good for dogs. When dogs eat foods containing a lot of sugar, they deal with diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay.
Just like humans, dogs might have to deal with a sugar low immediately after the high. When this occurs, dogs are irritable, moody, lethargic, and sleepy. Additionally, they will want to take more, and it might be difficult to tell them no.
Some Canines are Lactose Intolerant
Vanilla ice cream contains a lot of milk. When dogs eat them, they might have to deal with vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Some canines cannot cope with lactose.
Over the years, dairy products have been responsible for lots of issues of food intolerance in canines. Also, lots of dogs are lactose intolerant. This means they struggle to digest milk. Different lactose intolerant canines have specific challenges so long as dairy is concerned. Some can take plain yogurt and cheese but cannot drink milk. Others, however, cannot deal with any dairy food.
Puppies do not have strong stomachs. It, therefore, is normal for them to get sick after taking vanilla ice cream. Some grown dogs also develop allergies when they eat dairy products.
Dogs will not have to deal with a lot when they take small amounts of vanilla ice cream. Nonetheless, canines dealing with dairy intolerance, allergies, diabetes, and obesity could get into a lot of trouble when they eat vanilla ice cream.
Can Dogs Benefit from Vanilla Ice Cream?
Going by the calories and the ingredients that vanilla ice cream contains, it does not do dogs any good.
The ingredients in vanilla ice cream include cellulose gum, cellulose gel, carrageenan, guar gum, carob bean gum, vanilla bean specs, 1% natural flavors, skim milk, corn syrup, whey, sugar, buttermilk, cream, and milk.
The ingredients named above might seem okay. However, a lot of them can harm your dog.
Furthermore, when you consider the calories that ice cream contains, you will realize that a small scoop can amount to a large part of your dog’s daily caloric intake ideal.
It is recommended that a dog should not take more than 25 calories for every pound of weight. You should also not give your dog treats that make up more than ten percent of its diet.
Is it Safe for Dogs to Take McDonald’s Ice Cream?
McDonald’s ice cream should generally be treated like vanilla ice cream. However, you will need to be more cautious with McDonald’s ice cream because it contains chocolate which is not good for canines.
What Quantity of Vanilla Ice Cream is Okay for Dogs?
If you fall into the category of dog owners that want their dog to eat vanilla ice cream at all cost, you must find out the safest quantity you can give them. To be on the safe side, you should not give your dog more than a spoonful of vanilla ice cream when the day is hot. Once you do this, keep an eye on your dog to see how it reacts.
If your dog does not show any signs of being negatively affected by vanilla ice cream, you can make this serving an occasional treat. This should not exceed once a week.
What to do when your Dog is Sick from Vanilla Ice Cream
If a dog’s stomach is sensitive, taking vanilla ice cream might not be the best thing for it. When such dogs eat vanilla ice cream, they might show symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and retching. These conditions are mild and can be treated easily.
If your dog gets sick after eating vanilla ice cream, follow the steps below to get it back on its feet.
Keep it off Food for 24 Hours: When you do this, the vanilla ice cream’s ill effect will reduce significantly. While at this, allow your dog to keep taking freshwater.
Give it Plain Rice and Boiled Chicken: This menu has been tested severally and has been found to work well for dogs that have stomach upset. To get the best from this menu, you will need to give your dog a couple of portions in one day. This diet is bland. Nonetheless, it is something your dog will need to feed on for some days.
If your dog shows signs such as lethargy, blood in feces or vomit, hard swollen belly, and dehydration, you will have to get in touch with your vet instantly.
You do not have to wait for your dog to exhibit severe symptoms before going on to talk with your vet. If your dog eats any food that is not good for it, you should immediately touch your vet. While this article’s content can go a long way in keeping your dog healthy, it is not a substitute for the professional treatment you can get from a vet.
Conclusion
So long you give your dog just a little treat occasionally, you will not have to deal with any unwanted circumstances. This means you will need to exercise a lot of restraint and common sense. If all your dog does is take some vanilla ice cream each time it drops on the floor, you will not have any reason to worry. However, if you let your dog feast on a bowl of vanilla ice cream, the results will most likely be very unpleasant.
Just like every other thing, when feeding your dog vanilla ice cream, moderation must be your watchword. In addition to giving your dog vanilla ice cream in minimal amounts, always look out for its reaction each time you let it have vanilla ice cream.
