Ben & Jerry’s launches ice cream for dogs

By Harriet Piercy

Published Jan 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM

Reading time: 2 minutes

Humans have always adored their dogs, but in the age of COVID-19, to simply ‘adore’ our dogs would be an understatement. In fact, according to a study conducted by veterinary scientist Liat Morgan and colleagues, dog adoption in 2020 has “boomed.” With an increase in furry companions comes an increase in a specific industry’s production. Hello, more very necessary furry companion accessories and treats. We love to share what we love with who we love, and Ben & Jerry’s decided to create something we love to share even if we shouldn’t (according to that Oreo advert). Any guesses what that is? Pup friendly ice cream, baby!

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for dogs

The Vermont-based, Unilever-owned (British), ice cream company has publicly announced that it’s introducing a line of frozen dog treats, which marks its first official dip into the lucrative pet food market. These special doggo desserts will be sold in 118 millilitre (4 ounce) cups and will be thrust upon the US grocery aisles before January 2021 comes to an end.

There will be two flavours to start with, ‘Pontch’s Mix’, which is a combination of peanut butter and pretzel swirls, and ‘Rosie’s Mix’, which is a pumpkin and mini cookie sunflower butter-based delight. Both flavours have been named after two of the many Ben & Jerry’s office dogs and the company calls them K9-to-5ers.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ben & Jerry’s Dogs (@benandjerrysfordogs)

Ben & Jerry’s stated that according to its research, millennials in particular spend lavishly on their pets and regularly look for pet products with human-grade ingredients. Lindsay Bumps, a global marketing specialist with the company said that they had been eyeing out the growth in pet spending and in anticipation of opportunity, started developing Ben & Jerry’s dog treats early last year. The brand hasn’t taken it lightly either, Bumps happens to also be a veterinary technician, so nutritionists and regulatory consultants have very much been a part of this journey.

“This is an opportunity for people to treat their dogs as they’re treating themselves when they grab a pint off the shelf,” she said. Bumps also explained that the pivot to pets doesn’t mean that Ben & Jerry’s is seeing a slowdown on the human side, so relax, human. It’s chill. In fact, Unilever stated that ice cream sales for home consumption grew more than 10 per cent in the most recent quarter as consumers sought more indulgent treats during the pandemic. Glad to know the rest of the world was Bridget Jones-ing with me.

The ice creams all fall into the ‘dairy free’ category with their sunflower butter bases, and each of the flavours are found alongside their signature human counterparts—food envy no more. Not even for the human, I might add, because these Doggie Desserts are good for all ice cream lovers. The company is actually using bases that are already being used in some vegan varieties, so you can be a good boi too!

Keep On Reading

By Charlie Sawyer

Men online are calling Margot Robbie mid ahead of Barbie film release

By Mason Berlinka

Internet rapper Lil Tay dead at 14? Here’s everything you need to know

By Charlie Sawyer

What is the Wagner Group? And how has its recent attempted military coup impacted Putin’s power?

By Mason Berlinka

Doctors warn that Kim Kardashian’s $2500 full body MRI scans might do more harm than good

By Mason Berlinka

Woman leaves husband after thinking she was dating Stranger Things actor

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Netflix takes things too far with new AI reality TV show Deep Fake Love

By Abby Amoakuh

VICE’s attempt to call that viral London pub culture TikTok art is giving high-key millennial cringe

By Alma Fabiani

Who are gen Z? Introducing the new generation

By Alma Fabiani

Exploring AI trends: Advancements, impact, and future possibilities

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Spanish town in shock after AI-generated images of naked underage girls are leaked online

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Watch shocking leaked video of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak mocking trans women

By Charlie Sawyer

Here’s how Jacob Elordi went from just a pretty face to most promising movie star

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

WhatsApp’s disappearing messages tool may become permanent, and we’ve got politicians to blame

By Jennifer Raymont

Second hand and sexy: Here’s how gen Z are going to transform the fashion at Glastonbury 2023

By Charlie Sawyer

Are Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky getting a divorce? And if so, why didn’t we see it coming?

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

How to become the ultimate gen Z cult leader: A playful guide

By Jack Ramage

What is the Pinegrove Shuffle? The new TikTok dance resurrecting a band with a controversial past

By Charlie Sawyer

Kim Kardashian reveals that Tristan Thompson has been there for her amid Kanye West divorce

By Jennifer Raymont

Zendaya’s Challengers is making tenniscore the trend of the summer, get us to Wimbledon now

By Charlie Sawyer

Who is Zack Bia? Meet the DJ who broke the hearts of Madison Beer and Olivia Rodrigo