Dog ice cream
Dog ice cream is made specifically to be safe for dogs — without the lactose that upsets many dogs' stomachs and without the sweeteners, including xylitol, that make ordinary ice cream a real risk. It is a warm-weather treat rather than an everyday one, and it is worth knowing what separates it from a scoop of the human version before you share one.
Why it is different from human ice cream
Most dogs lose much of their ability to digest lactose after weaning, the same as a lot of adult cats do, so ordinary dairy ice cream can cause an upset stomach even in a dog who otherwise tolerates most foods. Dog ice cream is typically made without cow's milk, or with a lactose-reduced base, to avoid that.
Sugar-free ice creams and some yoghurt-based desserts made for people can contain xylitol, a sweetener that is genuinely dangerous to dogs even in a small amount. Dog ice cream is formulated without it, along with chocolate, raisins and other ingredients that turn up in flavoured human versions and are unsafe for dogs to eat.
Who it suits, and how to use it
It is a treat for a warm day or a special occasion rather than something to build into a regular routine — like any treat, it adds calories on top of a dog's normal complete food, so it is worth keeping to an occasional serving rather than a daily one.
It suits dogs who already enjoy frozen treats, and it is a straightforward way to give a dog something cold and appealing in hot weather without reaching for something meant for people. Portion size still matters, and a smaller dog needs less than a larger one.
Checking the label
Not every product sold as dog ice cream is identical, so it is worth reading the ingredients rather than assuming the name on the tub tells you everything. Look for what the base is made from and how much sugar, if any, has been added, particularly if your dog is watching their weight.
A short ingredients list is generally a good sign, the same as it is with any treat — the fewer unfamiliar additions, the easier it is to know exactly what your dog is eating and to spot anything that would not suit a dog with a known sensitivity.
The gifts themselves
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Pressure-Activated Pet Cooling Mat
Press down, feel the cool — this pressure-activated mat absorbs body heat and stays up to 10°C cooler than the room, with no freezing required.
From£34.99
Ice-Silk Cooling Dog Bed with Bolster Edge
A breathable ice-silk cooling bed with a soft bolster edge and a cool-touch centre panel that helps your dog stay comfortable through warm weather. No need to freeze or refrigerate, it cools naturally on contact.
From£12.99
Ice-Silk Cooling Pad for Pets
A breathable, anti-slip ice-silk cooling mat that keeps cats and dogs comfortable on hot days, no freezing required. It rolls up neatly for travel and the cool-touch surface helps reduce overheating at home or in the car.
From£8.99
Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats
Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.
From£12.99
Reflective Dog Cooling Vest
A lightweight cooling vest that helps keep your dog comfortable on hot-weather walks. Soak it, wring it out and fit it over the back; the breathable fabric and reflective trim aid temperature control and visibility.
From£17.99
Breathable Pet Cooling Mat
A breathable cooling mat that draws heat away to keep dogs and cats comfortable on hot days.
From£11.99
Dried Catnip & Cat Grass Leaf Treats
A tub of dried catnip and cat grass leaves to sprinkle over toys, scratchers and bedding.
From£8.99
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 1 Tuna Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete tuna dry food for adult cats, offered in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas 7+ Senior Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in a 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Evaporative Cooling Vest for Dogs
A mesh evaporative cooling vest that helps keep your dog comfortable in hot weather. Soak, wring and fit it for breathable, lasting cool, with an adjustable buckle strap and a top D-ring for lead attachment.
From£11.99
Common questions
- Is it safe to give my dog human ice cream instead?
- It is best avoided. Ordinary ice cream is often high in sugar and made with dairy that many dogs digest poorly, and some flavoured or sugar-free versions contain chocolate or xylitol, both of which are genuinely dangerous to dogs. A product made for dogs removes those risks.
- Can puppies have dog ice cream?
- In a small amount once they are weaned and settled on solid food, the same as any other treat. Check the product is suitable for the puppy's age and offer a small taste first to see how they get on before making it a regular thing.
- How often can a dog have ice cream?
- As an occasional treat rather than a daily one — like any treat, it adds calories on top of a dog's normal complete food. A scoop now and then on a hot day is a reasonable amount for most adult dogs.
- Does dog ice cream contain dairy at all?
- It depends on the product — some use a lactose-reduced or dairy-free base specifically because many dogs struggle to digest ordinary milk. Check the ingredients if your dog has a known dairy sensitivity, rather than assuming every dog ice cream is the same.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.