The surprising food dogs can't eat, no matter how many you've seen doing it

Dogs licking up ice cream that has fallen off a cone and owners sharing their scoop with their pooch during a walk are common images synonymous with summer and happiness.

But according to multiple vets, it's not something pet owners should be doing or encouraging.

"Whilst a small amount of ice cream is unlikely to cause harm, it is not recommended to feed ice cream due to the high fat and sugar content," Dr James James McGregor, veterinarian at Lort Smith Animal Hospital, tells nine.com.au.

The sugar and fat content of ice cream can contribute to the risk of long-term health concerns.

"Excessive sugar can lead to weight gain, and long term this can result in conditions such as diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes), which in dogs is irreversible. Weight gain can also be hard on the joints, predisposing to conditions such as osteoarthritis and cruciate ligament rupture (doggy ACL tears)," Dr Kass, veterinarian at Lort Smith Animal Hospital, explains.

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Other problems with ice cream include digestive issues and the potential for it to contain toxic ingredients.

"It's not usually harmful, but dogs can have a hard time digesting it and end up with a tummy upset and diarrhoea," Dr Claire Jenkins, director of VetChat, a telehealth service for pets, says.

"More concerning are certain additives: low-sugar ice creams may contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that is highly toxic to dogs and can cause life-threatening health issues.

"Ice creams may also contain chocolate or raisins, both of which are known toxins for dogs." 

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Despite not being a good idea for dogs, they have a keen interest when it's being consumed by humans which makes them eager to enjoy it too.

"Dogs have taste buds and a great sense of smell, so it's no surprise they're into ice cream. It's sweet, creamy – what's not to like? Chances are they enjoy it for the same reasons we do. Plus, if they see us enjoying it, they usually want in on the action too," Dr Jenkins says.

So is there any way dogs can have some ice cream without consequences? There is, but whether it's worth the trouble and potential issues is up to you.

"If you're really set on giving your dog a small taste of ice cream, plain vanilla is your safest bet, as long as it doesn't contain xylitol, chocolate, raisins, or other toxic ingredients. Ideally, go for a lactose-free version, since many dogs can't handle dairy well," Dr Jenkins says.

"Even then, too much will likely cause an upset stomach, so small amounts only, and definitely not every day and always check the ingredients list before sharing."

Instead of worrying about dogs eating human ice cream there are plenty of dog-friendly ice creams on the market now for them to enjoy.

"Dog-friendly ice cream is safe in moderation. Treat it like any occasional snack – no more than once a week, and only a small amount, relative to your dog's size and health status," Dr Jenkins says.