So you went to Starbucks to get your favorite caramel flan latte grande but forgot to carry your dog’s favorite treat. Now, your dog is staring at your drink, making an innocent puppy face.
And this makes you feel guilty, right? Well, don’t stress because Starbucks is here to help.
Starbuck will give your dog a yummy Puppuccino. No, it’s not a cappuccino. It is a secret pet treat that not everyone knows about.
So, are you curious? Want to know how to order Puppuccino, the process, and how much it costs? Then read this article straight away.
Many hidden gems are on your way, so let us get started.
What’s a Puppuccino?
This time if you go to Starbucks, ask for a puppuccino. It is a tasty dish solely for dogs, also known as a pup cup. It is exclusively made of whipped cream.
I am sure your dog will love eating this dish if he is not intolerant to milk. The silky, creamy whipped cream in the Puppccino is palatable, and the great part is it does not include caffeine.
So, just chill—no need to worry. You can give your dog a cup of pup cup as a treat.
How do you order a Puppuccino?
If you want to order this dish, let me tell you it is a secret dish, and it is not available on the Starbucks menu. You just have to ask the barista to get a cup of puppuccino for your pet.
Or, if the Starbucks barista saw your pet with you, they can also ask you whether you want a puppuccino for your dog or not.
How much do Puppuccinos cost?
So, you must wonder what must be the cost of a tasty puppuccino, right? Well, this is the fun part because when you order a puppuccino for your dog, you don’t have to pay for it. It is free of cost.
Yes, you read it right. You don’t have to spend an additional fee. But, in case you are solely coming to get Puppuccino, then ensure to give a tip.
Can you order a Puppuccino on the Starbucks app?
Sadly the answer is a big no. As mentioned earlier, this beverage is not on their menu. So, you cannot order Puppucino online via the app. However, you can only get a pup cup in person.
Do all Starbucks do puppuccinos?
If you are thinking of getting a puppuccino nearby your Starbucks outlet, then you have to cross-check whether they sell it or not.
Because not all Starbucks do Puppuccino, it varies. Some outlets of Starbucks may have some may not.
It highly relies on store management. Moreover, there is no possibility that particular Starbucks will only sell food for dogs.
Although puppuccino is tasty but do, you think it is healthy? Well, let’s check that out in the next section.
Is it good for your dog?
It is okay if you feed Puppuccino to your dog in a considered amount. But a tremendous amount of it is highly unhealthy.
That is because the cream is made of dairy products, and the majority of the dogs are lactose intolerant. If your dog is also one of them, there is the possibility that he may have allergic reactions like the following
- Loose stools
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
Next, the sugar in the whipped cream is heavy. And when consumed in large amounts, it can increase the blood sugar level of your dog. Thus, he can potentially develop diabetes.
Moreover, the heavy cream also increases the weight of your dog.
Starbucks uses carrageenan in the puppuccino to maintain the thickness of the whipped cream, but it is not suitable for dogs because it is a food additive. Although the amount used in the cream is less, it can still cause inflammation in the dog’s intestine.
If you literally break down a single cup of puppuccino, your dog will get 1 to 2 grams of proteins, 3 to 6 grams of sugar, 4to 8 grams of carbs, and 40 to 80mg of cholesterol.
How many calories are in a puppuccino at Starbucks?
Generally, the count of calories depends on the amount of serving. Heavy whipped cream contains 400 calories per 1/2 cup. And, in a pup cup, there are an estimated 120 to 240 calories.
Typically, on average 10lbs dogs can have only 200 to 275 calories. So if you are feeding your furry friend a single cup of puppuccino, he will have a large portion of calories in a single day.
In short, always think twice before feeding your pooch so many calories in a day.
Starbucks service animal policy
Starbucks has a good animal policy. They treat pets very politely. However, they don’t allow pets to get inside the store. If you take your pooch with you for a drink, you probably have to enjoy the drink outside the drive-thru.
But, if your dog is officially registered, the case is different. Starbucks barista will allow your dog inside the store.
Hang on! You cannot just take a registered dog inside the store that easily. Before that, you have to do some homework.
Like your dog must carry a service dog harness or gear, and then you have to inform the barista beforehand that you have a service dog with you. Show them the details and proof. Once they verify it, then you can enter the store with your dog.
How can I make my own Puppuccino at Home?
So, you cannot get your dog puppuccino? No worries, we are here for you and will teach you how to customize a healthy version of puppuccino at home.
It will not have sugar or many calories. The homemade version of puppuccino is best, and it won’t even cause harm to your furry friend.
So, let’s get started
Things you need
- Light whipped cream half a cup
- Hand mixer or stand mixer.
Process
Make sure the cream is cold. You can keep it for an hour in the refrigerator before start mixing it.
Then use a hand mixer. (I would suggest using a stand mixer because it will not take a long time)
Blend the chilled whipped cream for 20 minutes till the foam comes. Try adding half a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses to make it sweet (optional).
If your dog is lactose intolerant, then you can try the following recipe. You just have to use chilled coconut milk cream to make the foam from the cream.
Please ensure to keep the coconut milk in the fridge overnight to pull off the right consistency of the cream.
Just blend it, then give it to your pup. It is a healthy and tasty snack that you can make at home.
Other than Starbucks, is there any outlet that gives dog treats?
Yes, many outlets offer tasty dog treats. Dunkin’ Donuts gives a puppy latte. If you stop by Sprinkles, they sell Pupcake for $2.50 each, and they’re sugar-free. The In-N-Out Burger provides Pup Patties under $1.
Just like Starbucks, Sonic Drive-In also give free dog treat. It can be a whipped cream dessert or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. But, this may differ from location to location.
Well, that’s a wrap!
Puppuccino is unique, and it is an additional food option available solely for dogs. It is whipped cream without caffeine. Your dog can only consume it in a moderate amount. Otherwise, he can face gastric issues if he eats a lot of it.
The puppuccino is free of cost. You don’t have to spend an additional fee on it. However, it contains a lot of sugar and calories, so make sure to have the judgment before feeding it to your furry friend. Or simply speak to your vet before feeding it your dog.
If you are acknowledged with this article, do share it with other dog owners and next time you go to Starbucks, get a puppuccino for your dog.
Dr. Aram Baker has been with Santa Clarita Animal Hospital since 1995 and his special interests include behaviour medicine and dermatology. He graduated from the Cleveland Humanities Magnet Program in Reseda, CA and attended California State University at Northridge where he received a Bachelor’s degree in biology. He went on to pursue his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis. He also spent time in the zoological medicine department at U.C. Davis during his Junior and Senior years. He is dedicated to caring for all pets big or small, young or old with compassion, patience, kindness, and love.