Dog ice cream in Denmark is becoming a small summer trend, as several ice cream shops have started offering lactose-free frozen treats for dogs in flavours such as liver, chicken and salmon.
The idea has reached places such as Lundeborg, on South Funen, where Lundeborg Strandcafe is selling dog-friendly ice cream for the second year in a row. While owners choose between soft ice, sprinkles or traditional Danish cones, their dogs can now get a cold snack of their own.
Dog ice cream becomes part of the Danish summer
The dog ice creams are designed for pets and do not contain lactose. According to DR, they are available in several meat-based flavours, including chicken, salmon and liver.
At Lundeborg Strandcafe, co-owner Dorthe Sørensen says the product has quickly found its audience among dog owners visiting the seaside café.
“The dogs love the ice creams, and customers come back again and again to buy them for the dogs,” she told DR News.
The scene fits into a broader summer habit in Denmark, where ice cream shops become a regular stop during warm days. The difference is that the menu is now extending to four-legged customers.
Why dog-friendly treats are here to stay
Animal Protection Denmark (Dyrenes Beskyttelse) sees the trend as part of a wider change in the way people relate to pets.
Jens Jokumsen, head of companion animals at the organisation, told DR that many owners now treat dogs almost like members of the family. This also affects spending habits, from Christmas gifts to seasonal products.
“We treat them in many ways almost like a human being. That is why I think it is completely natural that there is this demand: when I go down to get an ice cream, I would also like to be able to buy an ice cream for my dog,” Jokumsen said.
He added that dog ice cream is unlikely to disappear quickly. In his view, it is “something that has come to stay”, and more similar products are likely to appear.
Keeping dogs cool without overdoing it
The summer appeal of dog-friendly ice cream is easy to understand, but animal welfare experts also stress caution.
Jokumsen advises owners to make sure dogs lick the ice cream slowly rather than biting or swallowing it in large chunks. A very cold lump in the stomach can be bad for a dog’s digestive system.
Animal Protection Denmark also recommends basic precautions during hot weather: pets should have access to shade, fresh water and a cool place to rest. Walks should be avoided during the hottest hours of the day, especially because asphalt, tiles and sand can become hot enough to burn a dog’s paws.
A small Nordic story about pets, heat and everyday life
The rise of dog ice cream in Denmark is not a major political or economic story. It is a light summer detail, but it says something about how pet ownership is changing in the Nordic countries and across Europe.
Dogs are increasingly included in everyday routines, from cafés and holidays to seasonal rituals. In a warmer summer climate, even a seaside ice cream counter can become part of a wider conversation about comfort, care and how people share public life with their animals.
