If you’re a fan of Starbucks coffee, did you know that there’s a free treat for dogs you can get when you’re there?
Of course, we’re talking about the Starbucks Puppuccino!
You may not have heard about this Starbucks item before, and you’re not alone: many people aren’t aware that Starbucks even offers this special treat for dogs of all sizes.
Your dog is bound to love it, even though it’s a secret item not listed on the Starbucks menu!
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We’ll show you how to order it for your furry friend the next time you stop by your local Starbucks location.
Your dog will definitely be a fan of this little treat! The Labs of Labrador Wise are big fans of the tasty Puppuccino treat.
Let’s learn more about it!
What Is a Starbucks Puppuccino for Dogs?
The Puppuccino is a free treat for your dog consisting of a short (sample size) or tall-sized cup filled entirely with whipped cream!
The best part is it’s FREE and available all year round.
Depending on where you live, you might also hear it sometimes referred to as the “Pup Cup” at some Starbucks locations. It will be the same result, however, no matter how you order it.
The Starbucks Puppuccino, or Pup Cup, will not be found on the regular menu when you’re ordering your drinks or food items for humans.
Instead, it’s part of what’s called the “Starbucks Secret Menu,” or items that are available by ordering based on ingredients or custom specialties.
The Puppuccino is caffeine-free and is part of the Starbucks secret menu, which also has a few more treats for humans you might like for yourself.
For dogs, the Starbucks Puppuccino is a free off-menu item that is available year-round at Starbucks locations.
How Do You Order a Starbucks Puppuccino for Your Dog?
If you order inside the Starbucks store, you can request it on behalf of your dog.
Most dogs are not allowed inside the Starbucks store, so just let the friendly Starbucks barista know that you have your pet with you, and you’d like to order your furry friend a Puppuccino.
If you happen to be in the drive-up with your pet, your dog can pop their head out the car window, announce their own arrival, and pretty much order a Starbucks Puppuccino for themselves!
Or if your dog is more relaxed and not one to stick their head out at the drive-up window, you can order for them at the regular order screen and let them know you’d like a Puppuccino for your dog.
We’ve never had a Starbucks staff member refuse to give out a Puppuccino either. The staff seems to enjoy seeing the dogs’ reactions as they get their special treats!
Other Tips About Ordering the Puppuccino for Dogs
Your dog, especially if you have a Labrador Retriever, will likely be very excited and might go a little crazy when they get their paws on their personal Puppuccino, so we recommend a few things ahead of time.
Make sure you have an adequate supply of napkins, especially in your car.
Our experience has been that your dog will go bananas for their own “pup cup,” but that it might also cause a bit of a mess inside your car. It tends to be consumed in a very rapid fashion, especially if you have a food-obsessed Labrador Retriever as your family pet!
So either give the Puppuccino to them outside or be prepared with some napkins & wipes for easy clean-up.
If you’re the proud parent of multiple dogs, especially Labradors, be aware that there may be an all-out war inside your vehicle for a hostile takeover of the other canine’s Puppuccino.
It can be terrifying to witness.
It’s a good idea, if you have multiple dogs, to try to separate them so they don’t become territorial over the enjoyment of their Starbucks Puppuccinos.
Let’s move on to discuss one other aspect of the Puppuccino experience.
Are Starbucks Puppuccinos Bad for Dogs?
Just like for humans, dogs need to have good health and part of that is good nutrition. Preventing obesity in your dog is a very important aspect of keeping your Labrador healthy, and you won’t want to overdo it on any treats, especially this one.
Maintaining good health is an important aspect of dog ownership, no matter what breed of dog you have. And health can impact your dog’s lifespan, as we cover more about in our article about the Labrador lifespan here.
If your dog is already overweight or struggling with any health issues, you might want to pass on giving them the Puppuccino for the time being.
The Puppuccino contains whipped cream and sugar, which can be unhealthy especially if consumed in large amounts. Your dog might also have a sensitivity to these ingredients.
Dairy can sometimes cause stomach upset in dogs, and sugar can cause excitability in dogs as well. Be cautious the first time you give your dog any kind of treat they’ve never had before.
You don’t want your dog to have an episode of vomiting or diarrhea after you’ve given them their Puppuccino treat. You can always start with a small amount, see how they tolerate it, and then decide if you want to continue with it.
As an occasional, infrequent treat, the Puppuccino should be okay for your dog, but as always, if you have questions we suggest you ask your veterinarian for more advice relevant to your individual dog.
You might also want to check out our article on the Dog Zoomies, in case the rapid consumption of whipped cream causes a frenzy in your dog!
The Dog Zoomies can come on suddenly after an exciting event, and we think that a trip through to Starbucks to get a Puppuccino can definitely cause excitability in your dog!
Summary – The Starbucks Puppuccino Treat for Dogs
Our Labradors absolutely love getting their own Puppuccinos, and it’s such a fun way to include your dog in your Starbucks run.
So the next time you’re cruising through Starbucks, don’t forget your dog! If you’re like us, your Labrador will stick their head out the window to order one for themselves!
Remember to ask for your furry family member’s free treat, and let us know what they think of it. And don’t forget the extra napkins!
