Going to McDonald’s and eating there are one of the most common things the average Joe does. The food choices are delicious, and it’s easy to order. It’s a pretty good example of what fast food should be.
And what usually happens is that we feel obliged to give some to our dogs. Either because they’re looking straight into our souls while we’re eating, or we just want to let them taste what we’re eating.
But is that even a healthy thing to do? And can dogs eat McDonald’s Ice Cream?
No, it’s not healthy because McDonald’s Ice Cream contains a lot of sugar and fat that can lead to diabetes for dogs. Ice cream is also hard to digest, leading to indigestion problems.
Continue reading to know more about the effects of giving your dog McDonald’s Ice Cream.
We’ll also discuss its ingredients, why McDonald’s products are unhealthy for dogs, and what you should do if they overeat ice cream.
Can Dogs Eat McDonald’s Ice Cream?
Yes, they can. But it is unsafe for them, especially if given in large amounts. McDonald’s Ice Cream contains high levels of fats and sugar, which are unhealthy for dogs and humans alike.
Dogs also have a hard time digesting milk fats. This is why overeating McDonald’s Ice Cream can lead to digestive problems like bloating, indigestion, and gassing.
Aside from that, McDonald’s Ice Cream also contains xylitol which is a toxic ingredient for dogs as this can be fermented by bacteria found in their intestinal tract.
What Makes McDonald’s Ice Cream Harmful To Dogs?
McDonald’s Ice Cream is harmful to dogs if given in large quantities.
This contains too much sugar, fats, and high caloric levels, leading to indigestion, obesity, and even diabetes.
Although your dog will most likely not get sick if they consume a small amount of McDonald’s Ice Cream, there’s still the chance that they’ll have an upset stomach later on. Meanwhile, eating lots of McDonald’s Ice Cream can be toxic for dogs.
How Much Calories Does a McDonald’s Ice Cream Have?
A single serving of McDonald’s Ice Cream contains around 200 calories.
This is more than enough for dogs, especially since their digestive system isn’t designed to take in a high-caloric diet.
Although there might not be any short-term effect on their health, there is a huge chance that they’ll experience obesity and diabetes in the long run if they regularly eat too much McDonald’s Ice Cream.
What Should You Do When Your Dog Eats McDonald’s Ice Cream?
There comes a time when our dog manages to snatch food from us no matter how hard we try in not giving them unhealthy foods.
If that happens, the first thing to do is try to get it out of their mouth. We know that this is difficult to do, especially since ice creams easily melt. But at least you try!
If they immediately gobbled it all up, there’s nothing else you can do but just observe them afterward. Don’t worry, though, because a single serving of McDonald’s Ice Cream isn’t enough to poison your dog.
What Will Happen To Dogs If They Eat McDonald’s Ice Cream
Upset Stomach
Dogs are most likely going to have an upset stomach if they eat too much McDonald’s Ice Cream because their digestive system is not designed to process too much sugar and milk fats.
Diarrhea
Indigestion problems can happen, which can then lead to diarrhea. Although this won’t happen if they just eat a small amount, they’re still expected to have diarrhea if consumed around three servings or more.
Diabetes
Too much sugar in your dog’s bloodstream can lead to diabetes. This happens because excess sugar levels can lower insulin production.
Their body would then be unable to convert glucose into energy. Symptoms of diabetes in dogs are excessive thirst, increased urination, and increased appetite.
Obesity
A single serving of McDonald’s Ice Cream contains around 24 grams of sugar. This is too much for dogs. And this can lead to obesity when eaten regularly in large quantities.
Why Dogs Should Not Eat McDonald’s Ice Cream
Lactose Intolerant
Most dogs are lactose intolerant. This means that they are unable to digest milk. Puppies have enzymes called lactase that can break down the nutrients of their mother’s milk.
However, they start to produce less lactase when they are weaned. This makes it hard for them to digest milk as they grow older. Some dogs can experience diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain if they drink milk.
Allergies
Dogs can also have allergic reactions to dairy products like ice cream. This happens because of their reaction to the proteins found in milk. Diarrhea and skin rashes are some of the most common allergic reactions.
Obesity
McDonald’s Ice Cream contains too much sugar which can lead to excessive weight gain and obesity. This can then complicate to more severe health conditions like hip dysplasia and hypertension.
Flavors
McDonald’s Ice Creams also have different flavors like chocolate and caramel.
These can be toxic for dogs because they can’t digest their components like theobromine and caffeine. In the worst cases, excessive chocolate consumption in dogs can lead to death.
FAQs On Dogs Eating McDonald’s Foods
Can Dogs Eat McDonald’s French Fries?
You shouldn’t give french fries to your dogs because they don’t have any nutritional value.
Although you can give them one or two every once in a while just to satisfy their cravings, it’s still best if you do not. Anyway, there are many better alternatives out there.
Can dogs eat McDonald’s pancakes?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat pancakes from McDonald’s or any other pancake. These have very high sugar levels. They also have seasonings that are harmful to dogs, such as chocolate, raisins, and flour.
Can dogs eat McDonald’s burgers?
Yes, dogs can eat burgers as long as it’s not too much. Also, make sure that you give them the patty part of the burger. This shouldn’t have cheese, pickles, onion, and other sauces that can upset your pooch’s stomach.
McDonald’s Ice Cream Alternatives For Dogs
Fat-free iced yogurt and iced banana cream are some of the best ice cream alternatives for dogs. But make sure they are free of sugar. You can also buy Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy dessert specially made for dogs.
So, Can Dogs Eat McDonald’s Ice Cream?
Dogs can eat McDonald’s Ice Cream, but it is not recommended.
It contains too much sugar and milk fats that can cause obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and various digestion problems if consumed regularly and in large amounts.
Don’t worry if you can’t stand your dog’s pitiful look at you when you’re eating some treats from McDonald’s because there are many other better and healthier alternatives out there.