The essentials
- Know the ingredients — Make sure you’re aware of what your pup is eating and if there are any added ingredients that may not sit well with them or are potentially dangerous for them to ingest.
- Pup cups should be given as a special treat — Since most contain sugar, they only be given to your pet on rare occasions and not regularly. Purchase on special occasions, like your pup’s gotcha day!
- Do your research first — Some restaurants may offer pup cups for free, while others charge a small fee, and the type of treat offered varies across restaurants.
You’ve probably seen pooches across the internet enjoying a cup full of whipped cream or ice cream and wondered where you can get one for your dog. Read on for our comprehensive list of restaurants and coffee shops where you can treat your four-legged friend to a dog-friendly pup cup as a special treat!
👉Make sure that any treat you offer your dog doesn’t have chocolate and isn’t sweetened with the artificial sweetener xylitol as both are incredibly toxic for dogs to consume. If they do ingest something containing chocolate or xylitol, immediately contact your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.
What is a pup cup?
In short, a pup cup is a cup of whipped cream or soft-serve vanilla ice cream that coffee shops and restaurants offer for dogs to enjoy. You’ve probably heard of the most famous pup cup, the Starbucks “Puppuccino,” which has taken the internet by storm — providing ample opportunities for people to take cute selfies and videos of dogs enjoying their treats. A little bit goes a long way with this product, but trust that your pet will want to come back for seconds.
Are pup cups safe for dogs?
While most pup cups found at restaurants are safe for your dog to consume, it’s always important to be vigilant in what you feed your pet. Consider these precautions when treating your pup:
- Know the ingredients. You should familiarize yourself with what each establishment considers a pup cup. Is it whipped cream or ice cream? What are the ingredients? Is anything additional being added by a well-meaning employee? Be sure to not allow your pet to consume harmful ingredients like chocolate, xylitol, or coffee.
- Treat in moderation. While a treat occasionally is okay, pup cups are still made of human food and are not meant for regular animal consumption. These extra calories could also cause weight gain over time.
- Seek care if needed. Your pet could have an adverse reaction to the richness of a pup cup and require veterinary care or in rare cases, could develop a more serious issue like pancreatitis. Look out for signs that something is wrong including diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, or lethargy.
A definitive list of where to find pup cups
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We’ve rounded up the best places to treat your loyal companion to a pup cup. While not an official menu item at most establishments, you can still order them at these spots. Note that most of these restaurants don’t allow dogs inside the establishment unless they are service animals. So, if you want to enjoy your treat alongside your dog, you’ll need to do so in an outside dining area or from the comfort of your car!
Starbucks
As the de-facto “creator” of pup cups, also known as Puppuccinos, the Starbucks pup cup offers whipped cream in their signature branded cup. While it’s technically a secret menu item, baristas know what to get customers when you order.
Availability: All locations
Cost: Free pup cups for all!
Shake Shack
Called the Pooch-ini (what a name, right?), Shake Shack’s pup cup is a healthy serving of vanilla custard covered in peanut butter sauce and dog biscuits.
Availability: All locations
Cost: Around $4 depending on location
Sonic
Sonic’s Wag Cup is a small portion of your choice of either vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Plus, since most locations don’t have an indoor restaurant, you can enjoy yourself alongside your dog in your car or at their outdoor patio dining.
Availability: All locations
Cost: Free with any purchase
Dairy Queen
While your pup may not get to enjoy a Blizzard, the signature vanilla soft-serve paired with a dog biscuit is the perfect treat for an ice cream run at your local DQ.
Availability: Most locations
Cost: Dependent on location
Chick-fil-A
While all Chick-fil-A restaurants have plenty of dog treats on hand for your pup, if you’re looking for a pup cup made of the chain’s famous Icedream ice cream, make sure to call ahead.
Availability: Some locations, but call ahead to confirm
Cost: Free
Dunkin’
Next time you’re buying some donuts, ask for a Cup for Pup. But, if they also offer a donut for your fur baby, be sure to politely decline. Opt for a “munchkin” instead, since dogs may have a hard time processing the high sugar content in regular-sized donuts unlike humans.
Availability: All locations
Cost: Typically free, but some locations will accept donations for charity
Baskin Robbins
Like Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins offers a taste of their vanilla ice cream for your pooch to enjoy, possibly with the addition of a delightful treat topper!
Availability: Most locations
Cost: Free
Caribou Coffee
What’s better than whipped cream in a tiny cup? Nothing! Plus, most locations have doggy bones to take home for later.
Availability: All locations
Cost: Free
Dutch Bros Coffee
Served in dog branded cups, Dutch Bros offers hefty whipped cream portions with a little dog treat on top to boot.
Availability: All locations
Cost: Free
Local spots and stores may also offer pup cups, so call up your favorite ice cream shop to see if they offer any. Plus, workers tend to love seeing customers’ furry friends wagging their tails and enjoying their sweet little treat, making your dog a hit at the drive-thru window.
If you and your pup are enjoying your treats outside, be on the lookout for anything they may try chewing on post-treat. Oftentimes, coffee and ice cream shops will have trash lying around like straws, plastic spoons, plastic dome lids, and more and while plastics made from polylactic acid (PLA) aren’t toxic to dogs, they can splinter and cause choking.
How to make pup cups at home
While you can always give your dog whipped cream or ice cream from the tub, can, or homemade, we’ve got two recipes that kick things up a notch when you make your own pup cup. Remember, when you’re at home you’re able to add dog-safe ingredients as an extra treat, like peanut butter, pumpkin, banana, or yogurt in moderation.
When serving your pup cup you can do so in an espresso cup (minus the actual espresso), a teacup, or paper ice cream cups. Essentially whatever you have on hand works! No matter how you serve it, it’s the perfect way to treat your well-deserving pup on special occasions.
The layered pup cup
Ever heard of a trifle? Well, the idea for this pup cup is layers!
Gather up plain Greek yogurt, whipped cream, melted peanut butter, and two dog treats of your choice. Once you have that, you’re ready to assemble.
Crush one dog treat up and sprinkle it across the bottom of your cup. Next, add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and spread to cover the treat crumbs. Repeat this step so that you have four layers. Pour the melted peanut butter over the layers, but be sure the peanut butter has cooled from the microwave completely. Finally, top with whipped cream and let your pup enjoy.
Pumpkin “not so spice” pup cup
Pumpkin season is every season for dogs. Here’s a delicious pumpkin-centric treat to enjoy year-round.
For this recipe, you’ll need pure canned pumpkin puree, plain yogurt or vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and a mini dog biscuit for garnish.
Mix two tablespoons of your pumpkin puree with your small cup of yogurt/ice cream. Finish with a spiral of whipped cream and a mini dog bone to top.
Whether buying them out or making them at home, pup cups can be a fun treat for your dog to indulge in every once in a while. So take lots of photos of them gobbling it up!
Frequently asked questions
What is a pup cup for?
Treating your dog to a pup cup doesn’t have to be for a special occasion. Their purpose is as a yummy treat for your dog to enjoy (and for you to get cute pictures of them while enjoying!)
Keep in mind that pup cups are typically made with food that is richer than most dogs are used to, like dairy. As such, if it’s your dog’s first time trying one, it’s best to give them a little bit and wait a few minutes or hours to determine if they will have a reaction.
Why do dogs enjoy pup cups?
Pup cups are high in sugar and fat and, the same way humans crave those things, so do dogs! While you also may get thirsty after a trip to the ice cream shop, you may want to have water on hand for your pup after they’re done with their treat.
Can my dog have a pup cup?
If your dog is in good health, an occasional treat shouldn’t be a problem. However, if your dog has recurring health issues or conditions, it’s a good idea to consult with your vet on what type of foods, if any, may be a good reward for your dog.
Some dogs can also have more sensitive stomachs than others, in which case you’ll want to reward them with something that’s easier on their stomachs, like boiled chicken. Of course, always consult your vet for more nutritional information.
Are pup cups good for dogs?
Pup cups can be considered neither good nor bad for dogs. They’re a delicious treat to be enjoyed on occasion, but don’t offer any particular nutritional benefit to your pup. In fact, too much consumption of high-fat, high-sugar treats can cause health problems down the line. While uncommon, if you notice your pet having an adverse reaction after enjoying a pup cup or other treat, seek vet attention immediately.
Are pup cups free at Starbucks?
Yes! Most locations, from Starbucks to Sonic, won’t charge for pup cups, but it’s important to always ask ahead of time if there will be a cost.
What should I avoid when making a pup cup at home?
Soft-serve ice cream and other dairy products are typically okay for dogs to consume in small amounts. Ensure that you stick with vanilla ice cream and not any other flavors of soft serve that may include foods like cinnamon, which dogs can’t have in large quantities.
The good news is that the ice cream or yogurt brand you choose for your pup cup shouldn’t matter much so long as the ingredients are food-safe for dogs.
Can puppies eat pup cups?
Puppies have developing immune systems and can have more sensitive stomachs than adult dogs. With that being said, your puppy can still enjoy a pup cup in moderation, but discontinue their eating of it if they show signs of an upset tummy.
What’s inside a pup cup?
Pup cups are typically made using whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Some establishments will add dog treats and other dog-safe foods like peanut butter on top. When making a pup cup at home, you can add whatever dog-safe ingredients you know your pup will love, while being mindful of the serving size, as pup cups are made with high-fat ingredients.
Can my cat have a pup cup?
We wouldn’t recommend it. Most cats are lactose intolerant and even a small side of dairy can trigger symptoms.
