When you pull up to a Starbucks drive-thru to order your favorite drink, you may wonder – does Starbucks do anything for dogs? Is the Starbucks Puppuccino a real thing?
The answer is yes! You really can order a nice treat for your puppy pal – it’s called the Starbucks Puppuccino. Your dog can now enjoy the whole Starbucks experience with you.
Although the Starbucks Puppuccino isn’t on their menu, baristas will know what you’re talking about when you order one.
Looking for other secret dog menus at your favorite fast food outlets? Check out these articles:
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- Best Dog Bakeries In New York City
What is the Starbucks Puppuccino?
The Puppuccino (pronounced like “cappuccino” with “pup” at the beginning of the word instead.) The term is a blending of the words “pup” and “cappuccino.”
This specialty item for dogs is easy to make because it’s whipped cream in an espresso cup. Despite its name, there is no caffeine in the Puppuccino.
In addition to a lack of caffeine, the Puppuccino also has no tea leaves, sugar, or sprinkles.
It’s believed that the whipped cream Starbucks uses was developed especially for dogs, so there are no problematic additives that could detrimentally affect your dog’s health.
Is the Starbucks Puppuccino Safe for My Dog?
The Starbucks Puppuccino is considered safe for dogs.
The ingredients are:
- Milk
- Cream
- Mono and Diglycerides
- Carrageenan
Milk and cream both contain dairy. Milk is safe for dogs in small quantities and can be a sweet treat for your dog. However, your dog may have trouble digesting milk due to canine lactose intolerance.
If your dog is lactose intolerant, it may have more gas than usual, vomiting, or diarrhea. You may not know whether your dog is lactose intolerant until the first time you feed them milk.
Mono and Diglycerides are natural fats derived from things such as sunflower or soybean oils. The fats stabilize the cream and create the smooth texture that you’d associate with whipped cream.
As for Carrageenan, derived from parts of red seaweed, its purpose is to thicken foods. Carrageenan has no nutritional value.
Carrageenan has been known to cause gastric inflammation in humans and dogs. However, dog food manufacturers generally consider this ingredient to be safe.
Research into the topic has shown that dietary algae have no known adverse effects on dogs and are likely to be safe as a pet food additive.
Although the Puppuccino is considered safe for your dog, whipped cream contains a lot of fat. Heavy whipping cream and heavy cream contain around 36% milk fat.
If your dog indulges in the Starbucks Puppuccino too often, it could gain weight. Gaining weight can put your dog at risk for arthritis or diabetes, among other diseases.
How to Order the Puppuccino At Starbucks
To order a Puppuccino, you just have to ask for one. “May I have a Puppuccino, please?” That’s all it takes!
Baristas are well aware of the item despite not being on the menu. Because it’s easy to make, there will be no issues with them asking you how to make it.
The only Starbucks locations that may not serve Puppuccinos are within other establishments, such as bookstores. Those locations are generally considered separate entities from stand-alone Starbucks stores.
Starbucks only allows registered service dogs in the store. If you’re planning on ordering this sweet treat for your pup, you’ll need to do it in the drive-thru.
How Much Does the Puppuccino Cost?
How much is a Starbucks Puppuccino, you ask? Fortunately, the Puppuccino is free!
While it may be tempting to order the Puppuccino and go, you may as well treat yourself to something nice since you’re already in the drive-thru.
While never expected, a tip is always appreciated, particularly if you’re only ordering the Puppuccino.
Check out these dogs enjoying a Starbucks Puppuccino!
Is There a Secret Starbucks Menu for Dogs?
The Starbucks secret menu is famous for its fabulous drinks that you can’t find on the cafe’s menu board. Items from their secret menu include their refreshing Pink Drink that went viral in 2016.
But, what about a Starbucks secret menu for dogs? Starbucks does have a secret menu for dogs, and the Puppuccino is the only item on it!
Rumor has it that the Puppuccino will soon be an official item after the word was trademarked by the coffee company in 2020.
How to Make A Starbucks Puppuccino at Home
You can always make your own Puppuccino if there’s no Starbucks near you or you’re too shy to order off the Starbucks dog menu.
To make a homemade Puppuccino, you’ll want heavy or whipped cream. Organic creams are preferable since they won’t contain any unnecessary additives for your dog. Add the cream to a small paper cup.
If you want to make your Puppuccino fancier, you can add fresh fruits or vegetables. First, make sure that the fruits or vegetables are safe for your dog to eat.
Adding a little guava to your Puppuccino can give it a bit of a tropical flair. Dogs can also eat the guava skin, which is a good source of fiber and can help your puppy stay regular.
Papaya is another fruit that your dog can enjoy—but make sure not to feed them the skin and seeds. Papaya seeds contain cyanide, which you don’t want your dog to ingest for apparent reasons.
What if My Dog is on a Diet?
Fret not. This little treat won’t make or break it if your dog is on a diet. The Puppuccino is estimated to be around 110 calories.
One hundred ten calories is a lot, particularly contingent on your dog’s caloric needs. However, because this is a “sometimes” treat and not a daily one, you can allow your dog to indulge in good conscience.
Final Thoughts – Starbucks Puppuccino
The Starbucks Puppuccino is a fun way to enjoy a sweet snack with your dog during your daily coffee run.
This Starbucks secret menu item is free, although a tip for your barista is greatly appreciated if it’s the only item you’re ordering.
It’s safe for them to enjoy in moderation. But, you’ll want to be diligent and make sure that your dog isn’t lactose intolerant.
