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What Is A Starbucks Puppuccino, And How Do I Get One?

For many of us, the Starbucks Puppuccino is a revelation. While most of us have heard of Starbucks, we are often ignorant of the Puppuccino.

Most of us go to Starbucks and order our favorite Frappuccino, but have you ever considered your pet dog staring at you with its tongue sticking out, hoping to get a treat from the coffee shop as well?

Starbucks Puppuccino
What is a Starbucks Puppuccino and how do I get one?

If you are heading out with your dog, you should consider taking it to Starbucks. Treat your pup to the Starbucks Puppuccino, a popular item at Starbucks, while you sip on your cappuccino. 

Let us embark on a journey and learn more about the Starbucks Puppuccino.

What Is A Starbucks Puppuccino?

Starbucks is renowned for the diverse drink options it offers. However, most of its beverages, like cappuccinos, lattes, and iced coffee, are caffeinated and highly calorie-dense.

a cup of whipped cream
A cup of whipped cream and a teaspoon.

A Starbucks Puppuccino is not an extravagant drink for your dog. It is similar to the plain whipped cream that the café typically squirts on most of its beverages. It comes in a little, straightforward paper cup.

You can rest assured as the Puppuccino contains no additives like caffeine, cocoa, or sprinkles, just plain whipped cream. Giving your dog any other Starbucks beverage with caffeine is not a smart idea. Caffeine it is a stimulant that might increase your dog’s heart rate, which may eventually lead to fatal health conditions.

The National Puppuccino Day

Are you aware that there is a National Puppuccino Day? There is, and it is observed on September 23 to celebrate the bond between people and their dogs. It is also the perfect time to raise awareness about rescue dogs and what wonderful friends they can make.

Rocky Kanaka, a pet rescue advocate, came up with the concept of The National Puppuccino Day in 2008. He served dogs that came by his store whipped cream cups, which was an absolute breakthrough.

Since then, he has created several videos highlighting the Puppuccino, the most well-known of which shows him stopping at a Starbucks drive-through and ordering 100 Puppuccinos in support of 100 stray dogs. The video gained a lot of traction.

Things You Can Do The National Puppuccino Day

There are many ways you can celebrate National Puppuccino Day. You could give a homeless dog some love or donate to a dog shelter. You should cherish this day with a doggy.

taking care of dogs
A young woman taking care of dogs in an animal shelter.

Make your puppy a Puppuccino and watch in amusement as they lap it up. Or, visit the Starbucks drive-through and order a professional Puppuccino.

You may also visit the neighborhood dog shelter and play with the dogs there. You can also donate to the shelter or show your support for them by following, liking, and sharing their posts. 

How To Order A Puppuccino?

You will need to order a Puppuccino at the drive-through window, as you can’t do it using the Starbucks app. It goes without saying that you should give your dog some immediate satisfaction and allow them to enjoy their treat immediately.

Starbucks drive-thru sign
Order a Starbucks Puppuccino though drive thru or ask a barista for it while your dog is waiting outside the establishment.

You can also tell your Barista to prepare a special treat for your dog if it is in the car waiting for you. You can also ask for the “secret Puppuccino menu” for your dog, which they will gladly offer.

However, if the local Starbucks at your place does not offer that, you can then ask them for plain whipped cream for your dog, and your barista will know what exactly to whip up.

If you own a certified service animal, you can enter the coffee shop and let them know you are there with a service dog, but be ready to show credentials. Some Starbucks employees will want to see licensing documentation before allowing your service dog access to the building.

The best part is that ordering a Puppuccino at Starbucks is significantly easier for dogs working as service animals for their owners with disabilities. You will need to wait a few minutes after placing your order for your dog’s cup of Puppuccino.

What Is The Cost Of A Puppucino?

We all love free stuff, and the great news is that your Puppuccino comes free.

Although there haven’t been any reports of customers paying for their Puppuccino, Starbucks does leave it to store food management to take care of its orders. If you regularly take advantage of the free Puppuccino they provide and don’t order anything besides it, you will most likely get charged for it the next time you come in.

Additionally, it’s polite to add a small tip as a gesture of appreciation, particularly if your barista immediately offers you a Puppuccino after spotting your adorable dog in the backseat.

Is The Starbucks Puppuccino Safe For My Dog?

Dr. Lindsey Bullen, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Blue Pearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, believes your dog may enjoy the Puppuccino at Starbucks. As long as your dog has no health issues, such as a sensitive stomach, they can indulge in the occasional Puppuccino.

labradoodle puppy eyes
Labradoodle puppy eyes are remarkable.

However, you should be aware that your dog cannot consume the Puppuccino frequently as it is dangerous to its health. The whipped cream contains sugar, which is not great for your dog.

As the dog’s owner, you must always be on high alert when it comes to your dog’s treat intake.

Can My Lactose Intolerant Dog have Puppuccino?

Many dogs tend to be lactose intolerant, but consuming milk in small quantities won’t adversely affect them. However, if you notice your dog experiencing diarrhea, gas, or vomiting, you should avoid dairy-related products, including the Puppuccino from Starbucks.

Note that the larger your dog, the more dairy products it can tolerate, but be sure to give it in small quantities and not often.

Making My Own Starbucks Whipped Cream At Home?

Making your dog this special treat at home is a terrific alternative if you don’t want to go to Starbucks. In addition to strengthening your bond with your dog, you can make this treat considerably healthier.

bowls with whipped cream
Create a healthier treat for your dogs out of whipped cream.

Here are some tips to help:

  • Get a market-purchased heavy cream or whipped cream.
  • Serve your dog whipped cream one spoonful at a time. Then, after observing their response, give them more.
  • Serve the Puppuccino in a little cup.
  • To make it a healthier dessert, you can also add little pieces of fruit or vegetables.
  • Avoid giving too much and do not include it in your dog’s regular diet. Only give your dog a Puppuccino as a rare treat.

Lactose-free Puppuccino Recipe

Here is a lactose-free Puppuccino recipe you can make at home. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons of oats
  • 1/4 cup puréed pumpkin
  • One tin coconut milk, refrigerated

When the coconut milk in the can is cold, use a hand mixer to beat the milk until it resembles whipped cream. Slowly add oats and pumpkin purée to the mix. Your homemade Puppuccino is ready to serve!

This can be a good treat for puppies once in a while, but it shouldn’t take the place of a consistent, well-balanced diet.

What Is In A Starbucks Puppuccino?

You must know what ingredients go into your dog’s Puppuccino.  

puppy drinks spilled milk
A puppy drinks a spilled milk.

Cream: While calcium, an essential mineral that promotes growth, is present in the cream, its health benefits aren’t very great in this form. 

Emulsifiers: Mono and diglycerides are used to help blend water and oil and give the Puppuccino its superior texture.

Milk: Like cream, milk also contains calcium, which may help strengthen your dog’s teeth and bones. However, it is unlikely to offer any health advantages in the whipped cream form seen in a Starbucks’ Puppuccino.

Carrageenan: This additive is used to dissolve and thicken the cream. According to some research, it may potentially be carcinogenic for animals at high doses.

Will Starbucks Make The Puppuccino An Official Item on Its Menu?

In August 2022, Starbucks waged war to acquire a Puppuccino trademark that had already been registered. As much as this was a hassle for the company, they still managed to put an end to the case.

However, this raises the question whether Starbucks will come up with a new trademark name for more animal-specific beverages, like “Birdpuccino.” It would be really adorable if we could occasionally bring along other types of pets to have a drink with us.

To unravel this mystery, we will have to sit back and wait with our furry or feathery companions.

Can I Get My Dog Into Starbucks?

The answer is no. You cannot bring your dog to Starbucks with you for a cup of coffee because it is against their rules.

Starbucks coffee shop front
Starbucks coffee shop do not allow dogs inside the premises except for service dogs.

According to their policy, no animals are allowed on the Starbucks premises. Yes, it is tempting to take your dog out on a coffee date with you, but Starbucks prioritizes the comfort level of all their customers.

Some people may be scared of dogs or allergic to them. And also, dogs can quickly spread bacteria, and what if someone gets sick over a dog? It won’t look good for Starbucks.

However, if you still want to bring your dog over for a treat, you can sit out on the patio with your pet and offer it a cup of Puppuccino, or you could just order one at the drive-through while your pet sits behind, waiting eagerly for its treat!

Can I Get My Puppuccino Only At Starbucks?

According to all sources, the Puppuccino appears to be a Starbucks-only item, even though there are other establishments that provide treats and special items for dogs. 

Yes, Starbucks is the only place to go if you’re looking for a Puppuccino. However, you just might find a similar treat at one of your other regular stops. It simply won’t be called a Puppuccino and may not taste the same.

Some Interesting Facts About The Puppuccino

  • Puppuccinos are not an established item on the menu, so you cannot order them using the app.
  • Only service dogs are permitted inside the establishment; you cannot bring your pet to Starbucks otherwise.
  • Starbucks baristas will be familiar with a Puppuccino, unlike other items on the secret menu, so you can ask for one by name. Or you could just request some whipped cream to be served on the side.

To Wrap Up

The fact that dogs are becoming more accepted in society today is wonderful. With their not-so-secret item on the menu, Starbucks is now promoting dog-friendly drive-through rides.

Give your dog the Puppuccino as a reward for waiting patiently as soon as you get it. But remember that this isn’t a treat you should offer your dog daily.

If your dog isn’t a fan of the Puppuccino, you can use your own homemade lactose-free recipe to make a nutritious Starbucks Puppuccino substitute, as described in the article.

Be sure to take a photo of your dog enjoying this delightful treat!