It’s good to be a dog these days, especially in the US where many of the big food chains have started offering special dog treats.
Sometimes even free of charge. Well, dogs don’t care about money, but their parents sure do.
One of the first companies to introduce doggie treats is Dairy Queen, which has a Pup Cup especially made for four-legged customers.
Dairy Queen was launched in 1940 and it grew from one store in Illinois to an international franchise.
The idea behind Dairy Queen belongs to John Freemont McCullough who, in 1938, created the soft-serve, a new type of ice-cream which is, well, soft and airy.
Unfortunately, not all stores participate in the Pup Cup program, so don’t get Fido’s hopes up he’s in for a treat before making inquiries at your local Dairy Queen.
Nowadays, most Dairy Queen stores have expanded their business, and their menus, and serve full hot meals besides their various ice creams and milkshakes.
What is in a Dairy Queen Pup Cup?
If you ask for a Pup Cup what you get is a plastic cup with a small serving of vanilla soft-serve ice cream and a dog biscuit floating in it.
At certain stores your dog might get more than 1 biscuit, but don’t count on it.
Also, you’ll have to pay for your dog’s treat.
It did start as a freebie, but once they got their canine customers hooked on it, they made the Pup Cup $1.39, which is not that much considering the price of a meal at Dairy Queen.
Enter the Dairy Queen secret dog menu. Yes, DQ has a secret menu, and yes, it includes a special dish just for pups! So load your dog into the car and head straight for the Dairy Queen drive thru for one of the coolest menu hacks yet: the pup cup. Daily Paws very own TikTok celebrity Kiba recently tested out the DQ secret menu item, and he seemed to wholeheartedly approve:
Theres nothing quite like a cold ice cream cone on a hot summer day. Heck, ice cream sounds appetizing no matter the season. And with fast food chains like Dairy Queen serving up soft serve seven days a week, you dont have to look too far to satisfy your sweet tooth. But what about your pup? Can dogs share your ice cream on a sunny (or rainy) afternoon?
You may be wondering, can dogs eat ice cream? How safe is it? While DQ soft serve might not be the same as Ben & Jerrys Doggie Desserts (made specifically for canines), veterinarians say it is okay to spoil your pooch in small doses.
The DQ secret menu pup cup is a small dish of plain Dairy Queen soft serve topped with a dog biscuit. And the best part? Its free! Now you can indulge in a cotton candy blizzard for yourself and walk away with a cool treat for your dog, too—at no additional charge.
Remember that even the healthiest dog needs moderation—sweet frozen treats have excess sugar and calories that should be reserved for special occasions. So whether your dog is celebrating a birthday or surviving a vet visit, swing by your local Dairy Queen to grab a pup cup and share a special treat with your beloved pooch. Want more tips like these? Follow Daily Paws on TikTok for other secret dog menus and pet parent hacks!
What is a Dairy Queen Pup Cup?
Dairy Queen’s “Pup Cup” is a small serving of vanilla soft-serve ice cream with a dog biscuit on top. It’s not listed on the menu because the ice cream isn’t made for dogs, so advertising it that way can be a liability if it makes a dog sick.
At most stores, the Pup Cup is free upon request. However, most Dairy Queens are independently-owned, so they may charge a small fee or choose not to serve it. But most locations are happy to give your pup one of these secret treats.
Even though it’s not listed on the menu, you can go to most Dairy Queens and ask for a “Pup Cup” to get this tasty treat. If an employee is unsure what a Pup Cup is, you can tell them that it’s a swirl of soft-serve ice cream with a dog biscuit.
If the location near you doesn’t offer Pup Cups for whatever reason, you can still order a small scoop of vanilla to share with your dog.
FAQ
How much are Dairy Queen pup cups?
Does Dairy Queen give dogs free ice cream?
Are pup cups real ice cream?
Ask your cashier for a Pup Cup the next time you’re at Dairy Queen with your dog and you’ll receive a free small-serving of vanilla soft serve ice cream.