The claim: McDonald’s ice cream contains xylitol which is deadly to dogs
Thousands of Facebook users are sharing a warning for dog owners about an ingredient they claim is in McDonalds ice cream.
“Pet warning!” reads a popular April 13 post, shared more than 6,000 times on Facebook within two days. “McDonalds has added xylitol to their ice cream. Xylitol is deadly to dogs! Please do not allow your pets to eat their ice cream!”
Another post, shared more than 900 times since April 11, claimed xylitol “is toxic to dogs and will kill them in an hour.” The rumor quickly spread to dozens of posts amassing thousands of shares, reactions and comments on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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The posts are correct that xylitol is toxic to dogs, but owners dont have to worry about finding it in McDonalds ice cream or milkshakes.
USA TODAY reached out to several social media users who shared the claim for comment.
McDonald’s ice cream doesn’t contain xylitol
McDonalds doesnt use xylitol in its soft serve, the fast-food chain told USA TODAY.
“These claims are false,” McDonalds USA wrote in a statement emailed to USA TODAY. “Our soft serve, found in our cones and other desserts, does not contain xylitol.”
The sugar substitute also isnt listed as an ingredient in any of the frozen desserts sold at U.S. locations.
Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer at the American Kennel Club, told USA TODAY most healthy dogs can eat small portions of ice cream that does not contain artificial sweeteners or chocolate.
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However, ice cream “could aggravate” medical conditions “such as chronic gastrointestinal issues, pancreatitis, sensitivity to dairy products, or diabetes,” he said in an email. Ice cream can also trigger diarrhea.
“Even normal dogs could develop mild diarrhea after (being) given ice cream,” Klein said. “Since chocolate is toxic to dogs, one should refrain from giving chocolate ice cream or any ice cream containing chocolate chips.”
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Oreo McFlurry
Every two weeks my son and I will go to McDonald’s as a treat and will often have Claude the dog in the car when we hit the drive through. Recently it was been really hot, so we treated ourselves to a soft serve ice cream the last time we went.
As we sat in the parking lot, our dog leaned over to my young son and took a large mouthful of his McDonald’s soft serve, gulping it down in seconds. I don’t think I am the first person whose dog has eaten McDonald’s ice cream and won’t be the last! Based on that, I wanted to explore if you should be worried if your dog decides to eat McDonald’s soft serve.