Ever seen a pup happily licking whipped cream from a tiny Starbucks cup?
That’s a Starbucks Puppuccino—a simple yet beloved dog-friendly treat that keeps pet owners and their furry friends coming back for more!
Quick Answer: What is a Puppuccino?
A Puppuccino is a small cup of whipped cream served at Starbucks as a special treat for dogs. It’s not on the official menu but is widely known and offered free of charge upon request. Made from Starbucks’ standard whipped cream, Puppuccinos are safe for dogs in moderation as an occasional treat.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to order a Puppuccino at Starbucks, what’s inside, and whether it’s safe for your dog.
Why do dogs love Puppuccinos?
- Light & fluffy – The perfect texture for eager tongues.
- A special treat – Makes coffee runs extra fun for your pup.
- Simple ingredients – Just whipped cream, no coffee or extras.
Let’s dig in!
What is in a Puppuccino?
A Puppuccino (a “puppy cappuccino” or “pup cup”) is Starbucks’ whipped cream made using their in-house recipe and served as a treat for dogs in an espresso cup.
It contains:
- Heavy cream – The base of Starbucks whipped cream.
- Vanilla syrup (sometimes) – Some locations may add a small amount.
- No coffee or caffeine – Completely safe for dogs in small amounts.
And Starbucks ensures that they make the cream with pet-friendly ingredients, so it is safe for dogs in moderation.
Is a Puppuccino safe for dogs?
Puppuccinos are safe for canine consumption. However, dogs can only have cream in moderation.
Whipped cream contains many calories and fat, so like humans, dogs can’t have too much of it as it is not suitable for their health.
It is best to check with your local vet if your dog can handle dairy products. Some dogs may have allergies or a sensitive stomach.
So, if you’re concerned about feeding your puppy a Puppuccino for the first time, maybe let them have a taste test and see if there are any side effects.
Dogs can be lactose intolerant—which means your pet has trouble digesting milk.
Watch out for the following symptoms after a Puppuccino to see if your dog is having tummy troubles:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Bloating
- Passing gas
What happens when dogs have too many Puppuccinos?
Too many sweet treats are not suitable for any pet. Dogs will suffer from several health issues when they consume too much cream, such as:
- Pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a severe illness that requires immediate medical attention. A major proponent of this condition is when a dog cannot digest high-fat foods served in a single sitting.
- Obesity. The high amount of fat in the cream can cause a dog to gain weight if you don’t monitor your pup’s intake.
- Diabetes. Starbucks’ puppuccinos contain sugar syrup, which can lead to diabetes if not appropriately managed.
To avoid the above issues, puppuccinos should be given to pups only in moderation and as an occasional reward or treat.
According to veterinarian nutritionist Dr. Lindsey Bullen, treat calories should not exceed ten percent of a dog’s total diet for the day.
So, the amount of whipped cream you can feed your pet varies according to weight, size, and recommended calorie intake.
The calorie value in a standard Puppuccino ranges from 120 to 240 calories (500 to 1,000 kJ), depending on whether it is an espresso or a short cup.
So it may not be a good idea to let a Dachshund finish a whole cup, while it might be okay for a Golden Retriever to have the entire thing.
Still, Puppuccinos are better off as an occasional treat. As long as your furry friend doesn’t experience health problems after a pup cup, it is alright to let them indulge in a full cup sometimes.
How to get a Puppuccino
You can get a Starbucks pup cup at any store. It’s similar to just ordering extra whipped cream.
You can ask the barista for a Puppuccino, and they will serve it in an espresso or a short cup for your dog to enjoy.
Tip: A Puppuccino can also be called a pup cup at Starbucks!
As this item is a Secret Menu item, you won’t find it on the physical or app menu. To order a Puppuccino, you will need to be at the store in person to get it.
The best part is that Puppuccinos are free. However, out of courtesy, it is probably a good idea to tip the server who serves them or order them together with your favorite drink.
If you’re not keen on giving your pup a full cup to themselves, you can ask for some extra whipped cream on the side with your order instead.
Can you make a Puppuccino at home?
Not a regular at your local Starbucks? You can still whip up Puppuccinos for your pet at home.
It is essentially whipped cream—so you can get the ingredients at any grocery store and learn how to make it yourself.
The essential ingredients of whipped cream are:
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla flavoring or vanilla syrup
However, you will need a specialized canister to process the heavy cream to make the kind of fluffy whipped cream you get at Starbucks.
You can check out this iSi North America Gourmet Cream Whipper (available on Amazon), which comes with all the accessories you need to customize your cream-whipping experience.
It is also dishwasher safe and has replaceable parts.
You can make cold foam if you don’t have the tools to whip cream.
Cold foam is similar to whipped cream. Both use the same ingredients, but the former isn’t as fluffy and thick as the latter because you add a bit of milk into the mix.
Check out my vanilla sweet cream cold foam recipe if you want to make some at home.
This recipe is super easy — it takes five minutes to make, and you can do it with a blender or a handheld mixer.
Conclusion
A Puppuccino is whipped cream served in a cup meant for your pup. You can get it at any Starbucks store for free, but it is only available as a Secret Menu item.
Puppuccinos are high in calories, fats, and sugar, so feed them to your pet in moderation.
If your dog loves these pup cups, they are fine as an occasional treat or reward for being a good dog!
