Ice cream may be one of our favorite little treats, but when your cat starts giving you that “excuse me, where is mine?” look, it’s worth pausing before sharing a spoonful. So, can cats eat ice cream? Technically, a tiny lick of plain vanilla ice cream may not be an emergency for every cat, but ice cream is not a good treat for cats. Growing up we see on TV cats drinking milk...but most adult cats do not handle dairy very well, and ice cream can lead to an upset stomach, gas, vomiting, or diarrhea. Basically, your cat may want the ice cream. Their stomach may strongly disagree.

The biggest issue is dairy. Even though we picture cats happily drinking milk, many cats are lactose-intolerant. That means milk, cream, and ice cream can be hard for them to digest. Then there is the sugar and fat. Ice cream is made for humans, not cats, so even flavors that seem simple can be too rich for their little bodies, and some flavors are an absolute no. Avoid giving cats ice cream with chocolate, coffee, caffeine, raisins, alcohol, or artificial sweeteners. Chocolate especially is dangerous for cats and should never be treated like a casual snack.

If you want to give your cat something special, skip the ice cream and go with a cat-safe treat instead. You can also try a chilled cat treat like bone broth, a small amount of plain cooked meat, or a vet-approved frozen treat made specifically for cats.

What To Do If Your Cat Eats Ice Cream?

If your cat sneaks a small lick of plain vanilla ice cream, keep an eye out for stomach upset. If they ate a larger amount, or if the ice cream had chocolate, coffee, raisins, alcohol, or artificial sweeteners, contact your veterinarian or pet poison control right away. Instead of sharing ice cream, consider treating your cat to one of Purina’s many cat treats made specifically for felines, giving them a fun and safe way to enjoy a special summer snack. Options include Purina Friskies Party Mix, Purina Fancy Feast Savory Cravings, and Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care treats, all designed with cats’ nutritional needs in mind.