Picture this – you’ve just pulled up to the speaker at your favorite coffee shop drive-through, you place your regular order, then say, “Add a puppuccino to that, too!”
In the backseat, your dog starts wagging her tail and tapping her paws. You’re both about to get an afternoon pick-me-up.
But what exactly is a puppuccino?
Is it really dog-friendly?
And could you save yourself a trip to Starbucks and make it at home?
Grab your coffee. We’re about to do a deep dive into all things puppuccinos once and for all.
What is a puppuccino?
Coined by Rocky Kanaka, a pet rescue advocate and dog lover, a puppuccino doesn’t actually have coffee in it despite its cute name. Instead, a puppuccino is a small cup of whipped cream. And it’s known across the internet as one of the most famous drinks on the Starbucks secret menu.
Puppuccinos don’t have hidden ingredients or extra add-ins, like sprinkles or cinnamon toppers, that might hurt your dog, either.
And Starbucks isn’t the only place you can order a puppuccino Most coffeehouses will know what you mean if you order the treat for your furry best friend, although some places, like Dunkin’ or Dairy Queen, might refer to it as a pup cup or a puppy latte. Other fast food restaurants like Culver’s, Shake Shack, and Sonic offer small cups of vanilla ice cream or custard.
Why does my dog love it?
If you have a sweet tooth, you can guess why your dog loves this sweet treat made from whipped heavy cream and sugar. While dogs don’t have as many taste buds as their human companions, they can detect sweetness. So this makes a puppuccino the perfect sweet treat for them to enjoy on special occasions.
Is whipped cream safe for my dog?
Unless your dog is lactose intolerant or has a sensitive stomach, your dog can enjoy a puppuccino from time to time with no problems. We advise not making it an everyday habit, though. High-fat, dairy-based treats can cause upset stomachs, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Also, you want to ensure the whipped cream you’re feeding your dog isn’t sugar-free. Almost all sugar-free products that still taste sweet use an artificial ingredient called xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs and can cause severe liver damage and death.
How can I make my own puppuccino recipe?
Money experts always name a daily drive-through coffee shop habit as the #1 budget offender. So if you’re trying to cut back on your Starbucks habit, you can create your own puppuccino recipe at home.
The next time you’re in the grocery store, grab a can or tub of whipped cream. Again, avoid sugar-free options. Vegan whipped creams that have an oat or coconut milk base are good options, too.
When it’s puppuccino time, fill a small cup with the whipped cream. Add a small dog biscuit on top, if you want. Then, serve it as a special treat to your favorite furry friend.
Make the experience even more enjoyable by making your own favorite coffeehouse treat so you have something to drink while supervising your pup.
Do you love spoiling your dog with puppuccinos? Then you’ll love being part of Ruffly Speaking, an online membership community for pet parents obsessed with their dogs. Ruffly Speaking gives you all-new training resources, how-to videos, pet product reviews every month, and access to The Dog Gurus training team. This world-renowned team trains thousands of pet parents and business owners yearly to make a happier world for dogs everywhere.
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