Quick Answer
While most dogs love ice cream and will eagerly eat it if given the chance, ice cream sandwiches are not a healthy treat for dogs and can cause some issues if consumed in large quantities. The main concerns from a dog eating one or more ice cream sandwiches include:
- Weight gain – Ice cream is high in sugar, fat and calories which can lead to obesity if fed regularly.
- Pancreatitis – The high fat content puts dogs at risk for developing pancreatitis which can be life-threatening.
- Stomach upset – Dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal upset from the dairy and rich ingredients.
- Choking hazard – The wrapper or pieces of the sandwich can become a choking risk for dogs.
In most cases, a dog eating a single ice cream sandwich will simply get an upset stomach. But giving dogs ice cream sandwiches regularly or in large quantities can put them at risk for more dangerous health issues. It’s best to avoid sharing these sugary human treats with dogs.
Ingredients in an Ice Cream Sandwich
A typical ice cream sandwich contains the following ingredients:
- Ice cream – The ice cream itself contains milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and flavoring.
- Chocolate wafers/cookies – Chocolate sandwich cookies made from flour, sugar, cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, butter, eggs, salt, baking soda.
- Cocoa powder – Used to make the chocolate cookies.
Some key things to note:
- Chocolate – Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine found in chocolate, making it toxic to them.
- Sugar – Ice cream has high amounts of sugar which can cause obesity, diabetes and dental issues.
- Dairy – Some dogs are lactose intolerant and cannot properly digest dairy.
- Fat – Ice cream is high in fat, putting dogs at risk for pancreatitis.
So ice cream sandwiches contain several ingredients that can be problematic or even dangerous for dogs. Even just the chocolate cookies alone make this sweet treat a risky one for canines.
Dangers of Dogs Eating Ice Cream Sandwiches
Here are the main health risks and dangers associated with dogs consuming ice cream sandwiches:
Pancreatitis
The high amounts of fat and sugar in ice cream are a perfect storm for causing pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas that requires emergency veterinary treatment. Warning signs of pancreatitis include vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. The dangers of pancreatitis make it imperative not to feed high fat human foods like ice cream to dogs.
Obesity
Ice cream sandwiches are very high in sugar, fat, and calories compared to a dog’s normal diet. Eating one may be OK, but regular consumption can quickly lead to weight gain or obesity in dogs. Obesity stresses all of a dog’s organs, especially the heart, and leads to diabetes, arthritis, and other chronic diseases.
Gastrointestinal Upset
The dairy and high sugar and fat content of ice cream sandwiches may cause temporary vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or other GI upset in dogs. This can occur from the lactose and change in diet. Make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water if gastrointestinal signs occur.
Choking or Blockages
Parts of the ice cream sandwich or wrapping can become a choking hazard for dogs or cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage if swallowed. Always monitor your dog when giving treats with small pieces.
Hypoglycemia
For tiny or toy breed dogs, the large amount of sugar in an ice cream sandwich could cause a rapid blood sugar spike then crash into hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia can be very dangerous and cause seizures in dogs if not treated immediately.
Toxic Ingredients
The chocolate cookies contain theobromine and caffeine that are toxic to dogs. Xylitol may also be in some ice cream varieties as a sweetener and can be deadly to dogs even in small amounts. So always check ingredients before giving any human foods to your pet.
What Should I Do if My Dog Eats an Ice Cream Sandwich?
If your dog manages to eat an entire ice cream sandwich or part of one, here are some steps to take:
- Check for choking or intestinal blockage. Look for signs like coughing, gagging, retching, vomiting, abdominal pain. Call your vet or emergency clinic immediately if you suspect your dog is choking or has a blockage.
- Monitor for other symptoms over the next 24 hours including diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy or hypoglycemia. Dogs with these signs may need medical treatment.
- Call your vet for advice, especially if your dog ate chocolate ice cream or has pre-existing health conditions like diabetes or pancreatitis.
- Prevent access to more ice cream sandwiches! Dogs will eat as much as they can find, so keeping these treats out of reach prevents overindulging.
- Withhold food for 12-24 hours then reintroduce small bland meals of boiled chicken and rice to allow the GI tract to rest. Adding pumpkin puree can also help soothe stomach upset.
- Make sure your dog stays hydrated by drinking fresh water
Most healthy dogs will recover after eating an ice cream sandwich with just temporary tummy upset. But contact your vet immediately if you have any concerns about symptoms that could indicate a serious health issue. Preventing access to ice cream sandwiches in the first place is the best way to keep dogs safe.
How Much Ice Cream Is Safe for Dogs?
Ice cream isn’t a necessary or healthy part of a dog’s diet. But if you want to share a treat, keep portions small. Here are some dosage guidelines:
- Small dogs under 10 lbs can have no more than 1-2 licks of ice cream as a rare treat.
- Dogs 10 – 25 lbs should be limited to 1 – 2 tablespoons max
- Medium dogs 25 – 50 lbs can have up to 1/4 cup
- Large over 50 lbs can have no more than 1/3 cup
The ingredients of the ice cream are also important. Choose plain vanilla flavors and avoid chocolate, cookies, candy pieces, or those containing xylitol. Also, feed ice cream frozen, not melted, so it won’t be as messy.
Ice cream shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s caloric intake. Too much can lead to obesity or other health issues. Keep servings small and infrequent. Also provide plenty of water to help dilute and flush out the sugar content.
Can Puppies Eat Ice Cream?
It’s best not to feed ice cream to puppies under 1 year old. Here’s why:
- Immature digestive systems – Harder for puppies to digest sugar, fat and dairy
- Risk of hypoglycemia – Blood sugar spikes and drops can be dangerous in puppies
- Developing teeth – Sugar can harm emerging new teeth
- Obesity risk – Rapidly growing puppies need balanced nutrition to stay lean
- Pancreatitis risk – Higher in puppies due to dietary changes and high fat
Puppies have specific nutritional needs for proper growth and development. Human treats like ice cream sandwiches throw off that balance, while putting tiny puppies at higher risk of side effects. Once past one year old, an occasional lick of vanilla ice cream should be safe for most healthy adult dogs. But it’s still best to use caution and moderation when feeding ice cream to pets.
Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies?
The chocolate cookies surrounding most ice cream sandwiches make them a dangerous choice for dogs. Chocolate contains toxic theobromine and caffeine that dogs cannot metabolize well. Signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs can include:
- Vomiting/diarrhea
- Increased thirst, urination and heart rate
- Restlessness
- Tremors
- Rapid breathing
- Seizures
- Coma
The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. So cookies made with milk chocolate can still be toxic depending on the dosage ingested. Call your vet immediately if you suspect chocolate ingestion. Try to estimate the amount eaten and the type of chocolate if possible. Prompt treatment is essential.
Without chocolate, plain vanilla wafer cookies may be safer in small amounts, but can still upset a dog’s stomach. It’s healthier to give dogs treats specifically designed for canine consumption rather than human snack foods.
Other Human Food Dangers for Dogs
While many dog owners like to share human treats, a number of people foods come with health risks and should be avoided:
Grapes and Raisins
Can cause kidney failure in dogs – Amounts as small as a handful of raisins can be toxic.
Macadamia Nuts
May cause weakness, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs
Xylitol
Artificial sweetener in many products that can be deadly to dogs even in tiny amounts. Watch for xylitol in peanut butter, chewing gum, breath mints, dental care products and baked goods.
Onions and Garlic
Can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in dogs when eaten in sufficient quantities
Avocados
Contain persin, which can damage heart, lung and tissue function in dogs
Yeast Dough
Raw dough can expand in the warm stomach and ferment, causing severe gas and bloat
Caffeine
In coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks or chocolate – Can overstimulate the nervous system and heart
Nutmeg
Contains myristicin, which can cause seizures and tremors in dogs
Safe People Food Treats for Dogs
For a healthier treat alternative to ice cream sandwiches, here are some safe human foods you can share with your dog in moderation:
| Food | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Plain cooked chicken or beef | Lean protein source |
| Carrots | Fiber, vitamins, minerals |
| Peas | Vitamins, niacin, riboflavin |
| Plain white rice | Easily digestible grains |
| Pumpkin or sweet potato | Fiber, vitamins, soothing carbs |
| Blueberries | Antioxidants |
| Plain greek yogurt | Probiotics, calcium |
| Apples | Low calorie treat |
| Bananas | Potassium |
| Peanut butter | Healthy fat, protein |
Use common sense – share small portions of healthy foods without added salt, spices or sugar. Introduce new foods gradually. Always supervise your dog with any treats to prevent choking or upset stomach. When in doubt, stick to high quality commercial dog treats or a balanced dog food recommended by your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Ice cream sandwiches may look tempting to dogs, but they come with considerable health risks. While a small lick of vanilla ice cream is unlikely to harm most adult dogs, consumption of whole ice cream sandwiches can cause obesity, pancreatitis, stomach upset and other problems. It’s safest not to share these sugary human treats meant for special occasions. Protect your dog by keeping ice cream sandwiches out of reach and avoiding chocolate due to toxicity concerns. Check with your vet about any people foods you want to share with your pet. And choose balanced commercial dog treats and food meant to meet your dog’s unique nutritional needs at all life stages.