Ice cream for dogs? Italy says yes
Ice cream for dogs is officially a thing now. At SIGEP 2026, we came across a stand dedicated entirely to gelato formulated for pets and spoke with Michele Getti of Ice Dog, a company specializing in ice cream for dogs. He walked us through how the product emerged, how it’s made, and why pet owners are embracing it.
I have seen first articles abozt gelato for dogs about 2 years ago. Is this a recent trend, or have you been working on it for a long time?
Michele: We actually started developing ice cream for dogs back in 2008. I come from the traditional ice cream industry, and a close friend, who later became a business partner, works in the pet sector. We once saw a family eating ice cream and sharing it with their dog, and we realized that regular ice cream isn’t appropriate for pets. That’s what inspired us to create a safe alternative specifically for them.
It took about a year of testing. We collaborated with veterinarians and nutritionists before finalizing the product.
What makes dog ice cream different from regular gelato?
The differences are substantial. There’s no dairy milk, we use organic rice milk instead. There’s no sucrose; we use alternative sweeteners that are suitable for dogs. We also avoid gluten, added sugar, and artificial preservatives. Dogs can be prone to diabetes, so sugar-free formulation is important.
We include fruits and vegetables, minerals, and a digestive fiber called limulina. The goal is to create something enjoyable but aligned with canine nutritional needs.
Owners feel good about giving their pets a treat that’s safe
And how do dogs react?
They love it. Even today, a police dog passing by tasted it and reacted enthusiastically. Owners feel good about giving their pets a treat that’s safe, especially when they themselves are enjoying ice cream. It lets them share a moment without compromising the dog’s health.
How should it be served?
It’s stored at freezer temperature, like regular gelato. We recommend letting it soften for a few minutes before serving. That preserves the texture while making it easier for dogs to eat.
How much is considered a healthy portion?
Each cup contains about 60 grams. For a small dog, one cup every two or three days is appropriate. Larger dogs can have more. It’s refreshing for them, particularly because dogs have a higher body temperature than humans, so they tend to enjoy cold treats.
Do you use special packaging?
The cups are shaped like small bowls so the dog can eat directly from them. Owners simply open the cup, let it soften, place it on the floor, and the dog eats comfortably. Some customers even send us photos of dogs licking the cups completely clean.
What kind of response have you seen?
Social media reactions have been strong. We encourage customers to share photos of their dogs enjoying the ice cream, partly because many people still don’t realize dog ice cream exists. Visibility helps normalize the idea and lets pet owners decide if it’s right for them.
Are you distributing internationally?
Yes. We already sell outside Italy, both within Europe and beyond. Some gelato shops purchase our powdered semi-finished product and prepare it locally. Ready-made ice cream is currently distributed mainly in Italy, but we’re working on expanding abroad. The biggest challenge is maintaining the cold chain, since the product must stay at –18°C until it’s served.
Cat line is in the works
Are there plans beyond ice cream?
Absolutely. The ice cream can already be eaten by cats, but we plan to launch a dedicated cat line. We’ve also started producing dog-friendly pastries: panettone, Easter colomba, and even microwave cakes for dogs’ birthdays. Some customers host birthday parties for their dogs, and we want to support that kind of celebration.
It sounds like a creative and evolving field.
It is. We’re happy with the direction of the business. People increasingly want products that let them share experiences with their pets in a thoughtful way. We listen closely to customer feedback – human and canine alike – and that helps guide what we develop next.
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