Nothing matches the unparalleled pleasure of enjoying a sherbet in the scorching hot summer days. They are refreshing, cool and give respite from heat waves.
If you have a pet, chances are you might have shared your sherbet with your loving pet when they expectantly looked towards you.
If not, the thought of sharing your sherbet must have certainly crossed your mind. But is a sherbet good for your dog? Should you give in to the temptation of sharing your sherbet with your pet dog?
Ice Cream vs. Sherbet: What Is the Difference?
Before we delve into the pros or cons of sherbet for your pet dog, it is important to clear a simple misconception about sherbets.
Sherbets are commonly used interchangeably with ice creams. But how accurate is that?
To begin with, both ice creams and sherbets are frozen desserts. While ice cream is primarily composed of milk, cream and sweetening products, sherbet is primarily made from fruit puree. It has little milk content and slightly less sweet than ice cream.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Ice Cream?
Can You Share Your Sherbet with Your Dog?
You can share your sherbet with your dog, but it is not recommended. Sherbets are high in sugar content which is harmful to dogs.
Regular consumption of sherbets can make your dog sick by raising blood sugar levels. Diabetes and metabolic diseases are common in dogs who are fed excessive sugar.
Are all sherbets out or are there some which may be fed to your dog? We take a look at some of the most popular sherbets and if you can feed them to your pet.
Pineapple Sherbet
Pineapple sherbet though high on sugar content will not harm your pet if given in moderation. In fact, it could work as a coolant against hot summer waves.
If you end up giving a small portion of pineapple sherbet to your dog on a particularly hot day, it should not be a cause of concern.
What you must remember, however, is that this should not become a habit for your dog. You may be a lover of sherbets and ice creams but your dog is a different creature at the end of the day.
Most importantly, remember that what you have is different from what you give your dog. Humans have a high sugar tolerance in comparison to dogs who would feel the texture more strongly.
Watermelon Sherbet
Watermelon sherbet is a popular summer dessert. It is refreshing, juicy and has a wonderful taste to it.
The unique taste of watermelon makes it an excellent ingredient for mocktails and cocktails as well.
Watermelon has less concentration of sugar as opposed to a lot of other fruits. This makes it safe to be shared with your pet dog.
It should be used in a natural form as opposed to artificial watermelon sherbets because added preservatives make things sweeter.
It is also said that dogs have a soft corner for watermelons and they love this fruit. And if you want to give your dog a sherbet, watermelon is a good option because of its high water content. It will keep your dog hydrated.
You can even give your dog watermelon as a fruit rather than in a sherbet form. This is because watermelons come without seeds so your dog will not get choked on those.
Mango Sherbet
Mango is one of the most popular fruits out there. It is loved by humans and chances are you do spoil your dog with mangoes while gorging on the fruit yourself.
Mango sherbet’s popularity and ease of availability make it a hit among dogs, especially on hot summer days.
But should you do that?
Mangoes are originally high on sugar content and, as such, not recommended to people who have diabetes.
This is precisely the reason mangoes are not very recommended for dogs because sherbets impact them more deeply than humans.
If you prepare a low sugar mango sherbet at home, make sure to only give a very small quantity to your pet.
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Hash Browns?
Is Any Fruit Sherbet Recommended to Dogs?
The short answer is no.
Dogs are prone to developing obesity and diabetes just like humans and sherbets can lead to these ailments because of the high glycemic index of fruits.
This is the same for ice creams which are even heavier than sherbets because of the presence of milk alongside sugar.
With ice creams, there is a risk of causing harm to your dog because of the possibility of your pet being lactose intolerant.
It is best to enjoy your ice cream or sherbet by yourself, away from the expectant eyes of your pet in order to ensure their health and wellbeing.
But there are few food items that you can occasionally treat your dog with which are not regular food. Here are a few safe examples.
Occasional Treats for Dogs
It is a commonly known fact that dogs are not merely the best friends of humans, but also mirror certain human traits.
Just like human beings love to treat themselves with food items occasionally, dogs also crave occasional change in their diet.
While wholesome dog food is what works best for keeping your dog healthy, you can sometimes satiate their cravings with foods that are tasty and healthy.
Blueberries
It is an open secret that blueberries are laden with vitamins and minerals. However, it is not known widely that blueberries can be given to dogs occasionally.
Just make sure to keep the portion size small and not give it too often.
Apples
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Turns out apples are great for dogs too. They are low in calories, affordable and make great dietary fiber for dogs.
You will need to cut the apple into smaller slices, remove the seeds to avoid any choking before giving it to your dog.
Apples will not only break the monotony of everyday food but also help in keeping your dog’s oral hygiene in place.
Peanut Butter
It is not just the humans who drool over peanut butter but dogs as well. Peanut butter is a good source of protein and healthy fats for your dog.
However, the peanut butter you serve your dog should be devoid of all artificial sweeteners.
Bananas
Mix a spoon of yogurt with pureed bananas to create a treat for your dog. You can add a spoon of peanut butter to this to elevate the taste.
Top it up with oats and you have a wonderful homemade, low calorie and low sugar treat for your dog.
Pumpkin Sherbet
Sounds odd, right? Pumpkin sherbet is something you will have to whip up in your kitchen if you want to give your dog a sherbet.
Pumpkins are rich in minerals, fiber and fatty acids that work wonders for your dog.
Raw and boiled pumpkin can be added to your dog’s usual food for a distinct taste and change from everyday food.
However, you can even make a puree out of the versatile fruit and make sherbet out of it.
While you are at it, make sure you don’t end up adding any sugar to the pumpkin puree. You will be surprised to see how much your dog loves it!
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Pork Rinds?
Final Thoughts
While fruit-flavored sherbets are better alternatives than ice creams, it is a given that they are not ideal snacking options for dogs.
While an occasional treat of a low sugar fruit may not harm your dog or warrant a trip to the vet, repeatedly feeding your dog sherbets and ice creams may become a cause of concern.
You are better off sticking to healthier alternatives of snacks for your dogs and even experimenting with unusual sherbets in order to not compromise on your dog’s health.
Why take a chance when you can create wonderful frozen fruit desserts in your kitchen for your pet?