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Treat your furry friend to a homemade Starbucks Puppuccino! This easy pup cup recipe uses dog-friendly ingredients, letting you recreate the beloved Starbucks treat at home.
Don’t be fooled by the famous pup cup — while it may look like just whipped cream in an espresso-sized cup, it can contain preservatives and artificial sweeteners that aren’t ideal for dogs. The good news? You can be your own barista and make your own Puppuccino at home in just minutes! This easy recipe uses only dog-friendly ingredients, so it’s both safe and satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Puppuccino is a fun, dog-friendly Starbucks treat served in a small espresso cup filled with whipped cream—no caffeine involved! This secret menu item isn’t officially listed but is often available for free upon request. Our homemade version adds honey and cinnamon for a touch of natural sweetness, but always check with your vet before sharing new treats with your pup.
In small amounts, plain whipped cream is generally safe for most dogs. However, it’s best to avoid giving it to dogs with lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivities. (see more information below on specifics)
Yes! You can use unsweetened whipped coconut cream or plain, unsweetened yogurt as a dairy-free alternative.
Puppuccinos should be an occasional treat due to their high fat and sugar content. Moderation is key to keeping your dog healthy.
A pup cup is simply a small cup of whipped cream with ice on the bottom to keep it cold and gives pups something to lick around or crunch on, especially on warm days.
Ingredients Notes
- Whipped topping: Use a store bought tub of Cool Whip or make your own whipped cream by whipping heavy cream until soft peaks form. It is safe for most dogs in small amounts, but avoid if your pup is lactose-intolerant, overweight, or diabetic. Consider using unsweetened whipped coconut cream as a dairy-free alternative.
- Raw organic honey (optional): Feel free to use maple syrup instead of honey. The honey can make the Puppuccino sweeter, you definitely don’t need it if you have pickier dogs. Maple syrup is safe for your dog and contains an excellent source of manganese and zinc that supports the immune system. Avoid any imitation maple syrups that contain xylitol. Source
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, but large amounts can irritate their mouth or digestive system. The small sprinkle used in this recipe is considered safe for dogs. Source
- Ice (optional): Ice is commonly served at the bottom of Starbucks Puppuccinos. It helps keep the whipped cream cold and makes it easier for your pet to lick out of the cup.
NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian before serving anything other than your approved dog food to your pet.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make a Puppuccino at Home
- Make The Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the whipped topping, honey, and cinnamon.
- Serve: Fill a small bowl or cup halfway with ice (optional) then spoon the Puppuccino on top. Serve some now and save the rest for later or share with another furry friend. Enjoy!
Serving Tips
- Stick To Small Servings: Whipped cream should be an occasional fun treat, not a meal! Small serving sizes, about 1–2 tablespoons, is plenty for most dogs.
- Make In Moderation: Because whipped cream is high in fat and and contains excess sugar, this is supposed to be a special treat and not served to your dog every day.
- Watch for Sensitivities: Some dogs are lactose intolerant or have sensitive stomachs. If your pup is new to dairy, start with a tiny amount and monitor for any tummy trouble.
- Customize The Pup Cup: Customize your dog Puppuccino with different flavors and dog-safe variations! Try a swirl of xylitol-free peanut butter, use unsweetened plain yogurt as a probiotic-rich base, or add fruits, like apples, blackberries, blueberries, bananas, cantaloupe, cherries (remove the seed), kiwis, oranges, pears, pumpkin puree, raspberries, strawberries, and watermelon. Source
Always check with your veterinarian before serving anything other than your approved dog food to your pet.
Is a Puppuccino Safe for All Dogs?
Not all dogs can safely enjoy a Puppuccino. While most healthy dogs can tolerate a small amount of whipped cream as an occasional fun treat, your pup’s stomach may be more sensitive. Here are a few things to keep in mind (always talk to your vet before introducing new food to your pet):
- Lactose Intolerance: Many dogs are lactose intolerant and may experience digestive issues like gas, bloating, or diarrhea after consuming dairy.
- Food Allergies or Sensitivities: Dogs with food allergies or specific dietary restrictions should avoid Puppuccinos unless cleared by a vet.
- Weight and Health Conditions: If your dog is on a low-fat diet or has conditions like pancreatitis, obesity, or diabetes, it’s best to skip this treat or find healthier doggie desserts.
Storage for Leftover Puppy Cup
- In The Refrigerator: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5–7 days. Give it a quick stir before serving again.
- In The Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the Puppuccino in silicone molds or small containers. It will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Pro Tip: Frozen Puppuccino cubes make a fun, cooling treat on warm days!
Always check for any signs of spoilage before serving, and discard if it looks or smells off. Safety first for your furry friend!
More Dog Treat Recipes
- Homemade Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter Dog Ice Cream
- Christmas Dog Treats
- Homemade Dog Food
- Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats
If you tried this Puppuccino Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
Puppuccino
Ingredients
- 4 ounce (½ 8-ounce) tub whipped topping (~ 1 ½ cups)
- 1 teaspoon raw organic honey optional
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Ice optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, gently mix the whipped topping, raw organic honey, and cinnamon together until completely combined.4 ounce (½ 8-ounce) tub whipped topping, 1 teaspoon raw organic honey, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Fill a small Starbucks espresso cup or small bowl halfway with ice, optional.Ice
- Spoon about ⅓ cup of the puppuccino on top of the ice and serve to your dog. Save the rest for later or for another dog.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: You can store your Puppuccino in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 5-7 days.
- To Freeze: You can freeze this Puppuccino, stored in a freezer-safe container, for a couple months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving it to your pooch.
- Some dogs do not tolerate dairy or have sensitive stomachs, so in this case, do not give them this sweet treat.
- Whipped topping is fine for your dog to consume in small doses. However, avoid feeding this to your dog if he/she is lactose-intolerant, overweight, or has type 2 diabetes. Make sure that you don’t feed this to your dog very often, as it has a lot of fat and sugar. This should be an occasional treat. Source
- Raw organic honey: Do not feed raw honey to dogs younger than 1 year old, diabetic dogs, or obese dogs. The sugar can affect the latter two poorly and it can contain spores that can make your young puppy sick. Otherwise, honey has some good benefits as long as it isn’t fed too often. Source
- Cinnamon: While cinnamon itself is not toxic to dogs, it can cause irritation in large quantities. However, the amount of cinnamon in this recipe is perfectly safe for your dog. Source
- Feel free to top the puppuccino with a dog treat to make it extra special. You can also add some fruit to the whipped topping. Fruits that dogs can eat include the following: apples, blackberries, blueberries, bananas, cantaloupe, cherries (remove the seed), kiwis, oranges, pears, pumpkin, raspberries, strawberries, and watermelon. Source
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Thank You For Sharing FOR Sharing Jen 👍🏼😊DO You Think I Can Just Use REAL whipped cream in can And squirt Smaller Pile on a Cookie Sheet sprinkle W, cinnamon And Freeze put in Ziploc Bag Then Take Out WHEN I Need it? I HAVE 2 Dogs 1 Is A Gobbler😳👎🏼the Other One Is SKINNY. Skinny One WOULD be Throwing Up On THAT much 😢EVEN Though She’s A Bigger Dog❗️She JUST HAS A WEIRD 😳STOMACH 🤷🏻♀️I ALSO JUST REALIZED THAT WE CAN eat YOUR PUMPKIN DOG ICE Cream 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼♥️♥️❗️AWESOME ❗️THANKS And G-D♥️Bless😊