Introduction
Cat ice cream is a type of frozen dairy or non-dairy treat made specifically for cats to enjoy as an occasional snack. It typically contains ingredients that are safe for feline consumption and appealing to a cat’s sense of taste and smell. The product provides cats a cool, refreshing lickable treat while providing nutritional value. Cat ice cream comes in several flavors and formulations, catering to different cat preferences and dietary needs.
This article provides an overview of cat ice cream, including its history, common ingredients, nutritional value, popular flavors, benefits, risks, and recommendations for serving it safely to cats. It aims to inform cat owners about this unique feline treat and whether trying cat ice cream could be an enjoyable experience for their pet.
History of Cat Ice Cream
Cat ice cream was invented in the 1970s by Dr. William Tyznik, a professor emeritus of animal science at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Tyznik developed a palatable ice cream for cats containing ingredients that cats could digest and enjoy. His recipes called for vitamin and mineral supplements to meet cats’ nutritional needs. Tyznik’s innovations eventually led to commercial cat ice cream products being sold under brands like Frosty Paws by companies such as Nestlé Purina.
According to Wikipedia, “The ice cream cups were originally invented in the 1970s by Dr William Tyznik, a professor emeritus of animal science at The Ohio State University. Diane Bartholomew, the wife of a scientist working with Dr Tyznik, named the product Frosty Paws and helped develop the marketing. By 1994, Nestlé had purchased the brand, and soon expanded the marketing effort.” [1]
Ingredients in Cat Ice Cream
Cat ice cream contains many of the same ingredients as regular ice cream, but there are some key differences to make it safe and nutritious for cats.
The base ingredients in cat ice cream are usually goat’s milk and/or cream, since most cats are lactose intolerant. Some recipes use coconut milk or non-dairy yogurt for the creaminess. Cat ice cream avoids cow’s milk products.
Another key ingredient is a protein source like cooked egg, beef, or canned cat food. This provides essential amino acids for cats. Regular ice cream would use ingredients like raw eggs that aren’t safe for cats.
Cat ice cream focuses on cat-safe ingredients like fish, chicken, bananas, blueberries and avoids things like chocolate, raisins, xylitol, and nut butters that can be toxic to cats.
Herbs like catnip or cat grass add appeal, while gelatin or agar agar give structure without dairy. Prebiotics or probiotics support digestive health.
Nutritional Value
Cat ice cream is formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of cats. While regular ice cream is high in sugar, fat, and calories, cat ice cream contains fewer of these ingredients that can be harmful to cats (Source). Instead, cat ice cream focuses on providing protein, vitamins, and nutrients cats require in their diet.
Regular ice cream has high amounts of lactose that can cause digestive upset in cats. Cat ice cream contains little to no lactose. It may be made with lactose-free milk or dairy substitutes like goat milk that are easier for cats to digest. The fat content is also lower, with some cat ice creams containing around 2-5% fat compared to 10-20% in regular ice cream. Lower fat levels reduce the risk of obesity and pancreatitis in cats.
In terms of calories, a 1/2 cup of regular ice cream contains about 125-150 calories. Cat ice cream only has around 60-100 calories per serving to avoid excess weight gain. It also has less added sugar than regular ice cream. The focus is on providing protein and nutrients from high-quality ingredients rather than empty calories and sugar.
Overall, cat ice cream is a healthier alternative specially formulated to provide cats the nutrition they need. While regular ice cream can cause digestive and weight problems in cats, cat ice cream gives them a treat that aligns with their dietary requirements.
Flavors
Some popular cat ice cream flavors include:
- Catnip – This flavor often contains catnip extract, which gives it a distinctive herbal flavor cats love. It may be green or brown in color.
- Tuna – Made with real tuna, this fishy flavor is another cat favorite. It often has a pale orange color.
- Salmon – Similar to tuna flavor but with salmon instead. It has an orange-pink color.
- Chicken – Real chicken is used to give this ice cream a savory, meaty taste cats crave. The color is usually white or pale yellow.
- Cat Treat – Little cat treat bits like Temptations are mixed into vanilla or flavored ice cream to create a crunchy, tasty treat.
- Poultry Medley – A blend of chicken, turkey, and duck flavors to create a surfet of savory meat flavors.
According to Black Cat Ice Cream, some of their most popular flavors include Purrfectly Pumpkin, Mousin’ Around, and Catnip.
Benefits
Ice cream is a treat that many cats enjoy. Here are some potential benefits of giving your cat ice cream occasionally:
Cats have a strong sense of smell, and may be attracted to the sweet aroma of ice cream. The cold, creamy texture can also be appealing to cats. According to source, ice cream made with lactose-free milk may be easier for some cats to digest.
Ice cream can provide hydration on hot days. The fat content provides calories for cats who need to gain weight. Some ice creams also contain beneficial ingredients like omega-3s and probiotics.
Sharing a small amount of ice cream with your cat can be a bonding experience and a special treat. Just be sure to avoid flavors containing anything toxic to cats.
Risks
While ice cream may seem like a fun treat for cats, it does come with some potential downsides and risks that cat owners should be aware of before feeding it to their feline friends:
According to Untamed Cat Food, ice cream contains ingredients like milk, cream, and sugar that can be difficult for many cats to digest properly. Most cats are lactose intolerant, meaning they lack the enzyme needed to break down lactose sugars found in dairy products. Eating ice cream could lead to digestive upset in cats like vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
Ice cream is also very high in sugar and calories. ManyPets notes that too much sugar and fat from ice cream could lead to obesity and other health issues in cats. The cold temperature and texture of ice cream could also cause stomach cramps or discomfort when consumed.
Some ice cream contains ingredients like chocolate, raisins, macadamia nuts, and xylitol that are toxic for cats, according to The Dodo. Eating even small amounts of these ingredients could be extremely dangerous, even fatal, so it’s important to avoid giving cats any ice cream with these add-ins.
Overall, while an occasional small treat of plain vanilla ice cream will not harm most cats, it should be fed in strict moderation. The risks of stomach upset, weight gain, and toxicity make ice cream an unhealthy regular part of a cat’s diet.
Serving Tips
When serving cat ice cream at home, it’s important to follow some best practices. According to Untamed Cat Food, you should only serve small amounts of ice cream to your cat at a time. Some sources recommend servings of 1-2 teaspoons initially to see how your cat tolerates it.
Make sure to serve cat ice cream at room temperature or slightly warmed so it’s not too cold for your cat. Place the ice cream in a shallow bowl. You can mix in a spoonful of wet cat food to make it more enticing and add extra nutrition.
Watch your cat closely as they eat the ice cream to monitor for any signs of intolerance like vomiting or diarrhea. Take the ice cream away if they seem to have had enough. Stick to serving cat ice cream only occasionally as a special treat.
Where to Buy
Cat ice cream is available for purchase both online and in select pet stores. Some popular places to buy cat ice cream online include:
Instacart – Cat owners can get cat ice cream products like Lick Your Chops Creamies delivered directly to their door through grocery delivery services like Instacart.
Amazon – Brands like Pet Winery sell their cat ice creams on Amazon with free shipping for Prime members.
Oma’s Pride – Specialty raw pet food companies like Oma’s Pride offer unique flavored cat ice creams available for nationwide shipping.
In terms of brick-and-mortar stores, cat ice cream can sometimes be found in the frozen pet treat section of major pet retail chains like PetSmart, Petco and Pet Supplies Plus. Call ahead to check availability, as not all locations carry it consistently.
Some local pet bakeries and ice cream parlors also offer cat ice cream, but these tend to be small batch or seasonal offerings. Again, it’s best to call ahead before visiting to ensure they have cat ice cream in stock.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cat ice cream can be a fun and nutritious treat for cats in moderation. The key points are:
- Cat ice cream typically contains ingredients like milk, cream, eggs, and flavorings that are safe for cats.
- It provides protein, fat, and nutrients cats need in their diet.
- Flavors are usually designed to appeal to a cat’s sense of taste and smell.
- Benefits include hydration, probiotics, and enriched nutrition.
- Risks like weight gain and stomach upset can be managed with proper serving sizes.
- Follow tips like storing properly and not giving too much to keep cats healthy.
- Major brands plus homemade recipes allow cat owners options to try cat ice cream.
Overall, cat ice cream can be an enjoyable snack or supplement as part of a balanced feline diet. Moderation and care are key when serving it.