Riding through the drive-thru with you can be frustrating for your furry friend. They have to watch you order and snack on savory fast food while they get nothing for themselves. That’s why many dog parents order their pooches a puppuccino when picking up Starbucks. But the famous coffee chain isn’t the only business with a special dog menu item.
Dairy Queen has its very own secret menu item for dogs: a Pup Cup! If you’ve never ordered it before, your four-legged family member is missing out. Here’s everything you need to know about the Dairy Queen Pup Cup.
What is a Dairy Queen Pup Cup?
Dairy Queen’s “Pup Cup” is a small serving of vanilla soft-serve ice cream with a dog biscuit on top. It’s not listed on the menu because the ice cream isn’t made for dogs, so advertising it that way can be a liability if it makes a dog sick.
At most stores, the Pup Cup is free upon request. However, most Dairy Queens are independently-owned, so they may charge a small fee or choose not to serve it. But most locations are happy to give your pup one of these secret treats.
How Do You Order One?
Even though it’s not listed on the menu, you can go to most Dairy Queens and ask for a “Pup Cup” to get this tasty treat. If an employee is unsure what a Pup Cup is, you can tell them that it’s a swirl of soft-serve ice cream with a dog biscuit.
If the location near you doesn’t offer Pup Cups for whatever reason, you can still order a small scoop of vanilla to share with your dog.
Is it Safe for Your Dog?
Unfortunately, dogs can’t handle ice cream as well as humans because of the dairy and sugar in it. But for most dogs, one Pup Cup won’t hurt. Laura Robinson, a veterinary advisor at Pawp, says that dogs are more sensitive to dairy than humans, but small portions of plain vanilla or fruit sorbet are the safest options.
If your dog has never eaten ice cream before, give them a small portion the first time. Then, monitor their symptoms. If they have negative reactions, like gas, diarrhea, vomiting, or bloating, they may have a strong lactose intolerance. In that case, it’s safer to skip the Pup Cups and buy dog-friendly ice cream from a pet store instead.
Even if your dog handles ice cream well, it should still only be served on rare occasions. Don’t bring them to Dairy Queen every day or even every week.
Keep Spoiling Your Pup!
Pup Cups are just one secret menu item that dogs can’t get enough of. If you want to spoil your dog more often, there are 18 known chain restaurants with special snacks for dogs. But like Dairy Queen’s Pup Cup, these secret options should only be given to your dog in moderation. Less frequent fast food treats will keep your dog healthy and help them appreciate the snacks more.
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