National Chocolate Ice Cream & Doughnut Day
Friday, June 7th, 2019 is a very special day. Today, we get to celebrate two holidays that are dedicated to two desserts that are almost too good to resist. While National Chocolate Ice Cream Day was created simply to enjoy the decadent frozen treat, National Doughnut Day honors the Salvation Army Lassies, which are the women that served doughnuts to the soldiers during WWI. While we all love indulging in desserts and giving in to our sweet tooth cravings, it is important to remember that these sweet treats are harmful to pets.
Pets Should Skip the Sweets
Does your pet like to beg for human food? Even though we would like to share everything with our cat or dog, remember, doughnuts and ice cream are not just unhealthy for dogs simply because they are human food. These desserts are high in sugar and fats, both of which are harmful to cats and dogs alike. Doughnuts fried in oil are especially bad for animals, as fried oil may cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Doughnuts also contain butter, sugar, flour, oil, salt, and milk, all of which can be harmful to an animal’s digestion. Not to mention, most doughnuts have different flavorings added into the mix like chocolate, which make the pastry even worse for your pet to eat.
Ice cream is unhealthy for your pet as well. The frozen treat contains sugar, milk, and oftentimes Xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Again, flavorings and add-ins such as chocolate and some nuts are very toxic to animals and can cause severe illness. Please do not let your pet try your desserts!
Chocolate is Toxic For Dogs
Chocolate is rarely fatal for dogs, however, the sweet treat can cause significant illness. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine and caffeine, both of which are used as a diuretic, heart stimulant, and smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs do not have the ability to metabolize these chemicals as well as humans do, and therefore are much 
less tolerant of the substances.
The amount and type of chocolate that your dog ingests will determine the severity of the illness. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to your dog. Additionally, the smaller in weight your dog is, the more that he or she will become sick.
The signs and symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting and diarrhea, increased thirst, frequent urination, and a racing heart rate. In severe cases, your dog may experience seizures and heart failure, and dogs with preexisting conditions may have a sudden death.
If you believe that your dog has consumed chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately and get to the animal hospital as soon as possible.
Can Cats Eat Chocolate?
Cats are not quite as curious as dogs are when it comes to trying human food, however, if a cat eats chocolate, he or she can experience chocolate toxicity just like their canine friends. Caffeine and theobromine impact cats by causing vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, seizures, increased body temperature, and increased heart rate. Advanced signs of illness include cardiac failure, coma, and even sudden death. Symptoms will vary based upon the size of the cat, the type of chocolate, and the amount of chocolate that is consumed. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect that your cat has eaten any kind of chocolate.
Dessert Alternatives For Pets
Want to celebrate this holiday with your pet? We have a great pet-friendly ice cream that your four-legged friend can try! Purina’s Frosty Paws are not only a delicious treat, but the dog ice cream is also wholesome and nutritious. There are two flavors to choose from Frosty Paws Original and Frosty Paws Peanut Butter. If you would like to make a dog ice cream recipe from scratch, we suggest frozen peanut butter cubes. Simply take a jar of peanut butter (make sure it does not contain Xylitol), mix it with mashed banana, and spoon into an ice cube tray. Freeze the tray overnight and it is ready to be served! If your dog loves pumpkin, you can repeat the same process but only with 
plain, canned pumpkin.
Unfortunately, there are not as many cool commercial ice cream alternatives out there for cats as there are for dogs, but we have a quick and easy recipe that you can make for your feline friend. Just pick your cat’s favorite thing to drink, whether it be a water base or pet milk, and choose a few ingredients to mix in and freeze. Try different proteins as add-ins or even catnip for an extra-special treat. After you mix the ingredients together, freeze the mixture in Dixie Cups or in an ice tray for smaller portions. Your cat will love it
How You Can Observe This Holiday
Don’t forget to treat yourself this holiday! All you need is a good bowl of chocolate ice cream and a doughnut on the side to enjoy alongside your pet. Try this chocolate ice cream recipe or this homemade doughnut recipe to celebrate.
We are all for spoiling our pets like people, but please make sure the treats are chocolate-free and animal-friendly! How do you plan to celebrate the two holidays? Let us know in the comments!
