Puppuccino Recipe

We’re a pet-loving nation and, therefore, it is no surprise that a number of coffee shops throughout the country are now adding Puppuccinos to the menu.

In this blog, we will be covering the basics of Puppuccinos, as well as discuss some Puppuccino recipes that you can prepare this delightful pet treat at home.

What Is A Puppuccino?

Even if you are a cat or dog lover, it is normal for you to not know what a Puppuccino is – which is why we will start by covering precisely that.

According to our research, the Puppuccino trend was initiated by the US Starbucks, which started offering small cups of whipped cream to their furry customers. These ‘Pup Cups’ spread all over social media, and attracted a number of other coffee shops and brands throughout the globe.

Our article Puppuccino for dogs is a great resource for more information.

Puppuccino Ingredients

Every pet-friendly coffee shop is likely to have its own unique Puppuccino version.

This means that, the Pup Cup ingredients are likely to be different, based on where you are ordering it.

One thing that we noticed was that a large number of coffee shops deviated from the whipped cream recipe that was originally used for Puppuccinos. This is perhaps due to the fact that, even though most cats and dogs can tolerate whipped cream every now and then, the cream does contain plenty of sugars, which makes it rather unhealthy.

Hence, in order to be completely sure about the Puppuccino contents, enquire about the particular ingredients that your preferred coffee shop uses.

Having said that, a lot of the time Puppuccinos are likely to have either yogurt or lactose-free milk.

Is a Puppuccino Safe?

The conversation on ingredients brings us down to the all-important question: is a Puppuccino safe for your furry friend? To be honest, it depends on the specific ingredients, as well as on your cat or dog. A lot of adult dogs tend to be lactose-intolerant, and might not be able to handle saturated sugars and fats.

If your cat or dog deals with digestive issues or dairy sensitivity, a Puppuccino might create adverse digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and gas.

In addition, like we mentioned, Puppuccino ingredients are not consistent across shops and brands. If you are worried, it is best to ask about the ingredients before placing an order.

Alternatively, you could start off by offering a smaller quantity to your cat or dog. If you detect any digestive problems, you should avoid giving them any more of it, especially from that particular shop.

Having said that, modest amounts of Puppuccino, every now and then, are very unlikely to result in any issues. It is best to go for the lactose-free option whenever available to you. Also, if you are confused or in doubt, reach out to your veterinarian.

It is important to remember that, even if your cat or dog can safely consume Puppuccino, the beverage does not add any nutritional value. This is why it is best that your dog or cat consumes a Puppuccino rarely or in moderation.

Can Puppies Drink Puppuccino?

As is the case with adult dogs, the brief answer to this question is that it will depend upon the Puppuccino ingredients and on your puppy.

Image via retrieverpuppies

Once again, it is extremely rare for modest and occasional Puppuccino consumption to cause any problems, but, if you have any doubts, you should not hesitate in reaching out to your vet.

What About Almond Milk?

So, can dogs consume almond milk? Well, moderate quantities of almond milk are generally considered safe for dogs. Once again, the safety of the Puppuccino will depend upon the complete ingredient list, so make sure to be mindful of that.

For instance, in case of store-bought almond milk, you need to be careful about artificial sweeteners. One sweetener that you need to be particularly cautious about is Xylitol. This is an alternative to sugar, and is often found in various brands of peanut butter. The reason that you need to watch out for Xylitol is that it can prove to be toxic to your dog.

Puppuccino Recipe

You do not necessarily have to visit Starbucks or any other coffee shop to treat your cat or dog with a Puppuccino. Although the four-syllable name might be intimidating for many, preparing a Puppuccino is fairly simple and requires one common item – whipped cream.

In this section, we will cover a couple of Puppuccino recipes that you can easily prepare for your pup.

Puppuccino Recipe Using Pumpkin Puree

Ingredients:

• Lactose-free milk (1/2 cup). If the day is hot and you want to serve a cold Puppuccino, you can always substitute the milk with yogurt.
• One or two pieces of your cat or dog’s preferred treat.

Add pumpkin puree (1/4 cup), for a bit of healthy fiber (OPTIONAL).

Instructions:

• Heat the milk up until it is warm (make sure to not make it too hot).
• Put up your cat or dog’s preferred treat on top, and serve immediately.

Why Add Pumpkin?

Pumpkin is a food that contains high amounts of fiber, which makes it a good probiotic. In addition, it has a number of vital minerals (such as potassium, iron, manganese, and copper) and vitamins (such as vitamin A, B2, E, and C). What’s more, the high fiber content can assist in digestive problems, which are quite common in dogs. Also, most dogs tend to love the smell and taste of pumpkins, which means that the inclusion of pumpkins will just add to the overall attraction of the Puppuccino.

Puppuccino Recipe Using Strawberries

Ingredients:

• Almond milk or coconut milk
• Greek Yogurt (any type is fine, but we prefer using the 2%)
• Whipped cream
• Strawberries
• Honey (not mandatory)

Instructions:

• Add the strawberries, Greek Yogurt, and milk into a blender.
• If you want to increase the beverage’s sweetness, throw in a bit of honey as well. If you are not a big fan of extra sweetness for your dog, you can ignore the honey. Cat owners should know that honey isn’t toxic, but it’s not recommended. Instead, consider the sweetness of the treat you’d like to add to the Puppuccino and stay with it.
• Blend well so that all the ingredients are nicely combined.
• Pour the drink in a cup.
• Using a whisk or hand mixer, beat the cream until you notice the formation of stiff peaks.
• Put the cream on top of the strawberry drink.
• Serve.

Note: You can also use frozen strawberries if the day is hot and you want to serve a kind of frozen drink. Just remember that dogs tend to be less interested in a frozen treat, which is why fresh strawberries are likely to be your best bet. Even though the yogurt and milk are cold, the use of fresh strawberries keeps the drink from being icy-cold.

Final Word:

To sum up, most dogs and cats can consume a Puppuccino every now and then. If you are concerned about Puppuccinos offered by coffee shops, you can use the above recipes and prepare one all by yourself.

This way, you will know exactly what is going into the drink, and will be able to avoid any ingredients that might affect your dog’s health. In addition, the inclusion of strawberries or pumpkins will ensure that the drink offers some nutritional value as well – unlike the vast majority of Puppuccino beverages offered by cafes.

To learn more about dog treats, please feel free to check out some of the other blogs on our website.