Who’s been a very good boy (or girl)? For an extra-special doggy treat, order a Starbucks puppuccino on your next coffee run.
What Is the Secret Starbucks Puppuccino—and Is It Safe for Your Dog?
Updated on Apr. 14, 2025
Whenever you’re on a road trip or just doing a bunch of errands in town, a Starbucks run is often a necessity. But how can you sip your delicious drink while your ride-or-die buddy stares at you with those pleading puppy-dog eyes? Thankfully, the Starbucks puppuccino will take care of your canine companion’s craving for a tasty treat.
Puppuccinos have gone from being a secret menu item at Starbucks to a legit TikTok phenomenon. After all, this Starbucks order checks the boxes of what dogs want—which is basically anything from the list of human foods dogs can eat. But before you place your pup’s order, you may want to find out what’s in a Starbucks puppuccino and whether it’s safe for your furry friend.
We’ve fetched all the details for you and your pooch, straight from Ashley Ackley, DVM, a veterinarian and board member at The Grey Muzzle Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to helping at-risk senior dogs. Read on for the facts, then treat your furry friend!
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What is a puppuccino, exactly?
As you may have guessed, it’s a cleverly named, off-menu drink for your dog, and you can order it only at Starbucks. Though it’s a super-cute play on words, Starbucks’s puppuccino isn’t a canine version of a cappuccino. And thank goodness for that! The last thing your pup needs is to lap up a cup of coffee, since caffeine is toxic for dogs.
The coffee giant’s puppuccino is actually just a lightly flavored whipped cream, made from heavy whipping cream and vanilla syrup.
How do you order a puppuccino at Starbucks?
The puppuccino isn’t an official menu option, so you might wonder if you’ll be met with a blank stare when you try to order this secret Starbucks drink. Luckily, the baristas are in the know and shouldn’t bat an eye when you ask for a Starbucks puppuccino.
One important note, though: While it would be amazing to sit and sip (or, as your dog would say, sit and lick) your drinks together, pets aren’t allowed inside Starbucks unless they are service animals. However, you can order at the drive-thru window. Alternatively, if the line isn’t too long, you could leave your dog outside with a friend or family member and pop inside to order it. Starbucks welcomes pets on its patios.
How much does a puppuccino cost?
Since the Starbucks puppuccino isn’t an official menu item, there is no set price. If you’re already ordering something for yourself, you likely won’t be charged a fee, and chances are, if you’re just ordering a puppuccino for your dog and nothing for yourself, you’ll likely still get it for free.
The official Starbucks stance, according to a spokesperson: “All customers have the ability to order extra whipped cream for a beverage, and we’ve seen customers order this for their dogs at no extra charge.”
Are puppuccinos safe for dogs?
We know—your dog’s tail is wagging in suspense to find out if they can eat the Starbucks puppuccino. The short answer is yes, with some caveats.
“Puppuccinos are not toxic to dogs, meaning many dogs can safely enjoy these in moderation,” says Dr. Ackley.
Typically, Starbucks serves its puppuccino in a 3-ounce espresso cup, but baristas might be extra generous and fill a larger cup. While a whipped-cream-covered muzzle is extra cute, you should consider the size of your dog and the size of the puppuccino before letting them dive in. That’s Dr. Ackley’s adorable dog, Tilly Terrier, in the opening image, by the way, and she notes that Tilly was not allowed to finish that oversized puppuccino.
How much is too much for a dog?
Dogs don’t understand the concept of having too much of a good thing, and most would wolf down a venti-size puppuccino if given the chance. But just because whipped cream is light and fluffy, that doesn’t make it a healthy dog treat.
An espresso-size puppuccino is generally acceptable for most medium to large dogs, but smaller dogs should definitely scale back. Think of it this way: A 5-pound pupster may require about 200 calories daily. An espresso-size puppuccino is roughly 50 to 100 calories, so eating that in one sitting is essentially an entire meal—and one that’s made primarily of fat and sugar.
“Puppuccinos are not very healthy for dogs, just like having a cup of whipped cream is not healthy for humans,” says Dr. Ackley. “That being said, we all like to spoil ourselves with whipped cream on our frappuccinos occasionally, so one for your dog may make their day—and yours.”
Should any dogs avoid puppuccinos?
You might not want to read this section out loud if your dog is snuggling next to you. Even though Starbucks’s puppuccino is a small treat, it can still cause trouble for some pups. “Dogs that have a history of a sensitive stomach in general, known lactose intolerance, pancreatitis or diabetes should avoid these,” says Dr. Ackley. “Also, if your vet has ever discussed that your dog needs to lose weight, this isn’t a great treat idea.”
We get it—it’s tempting to share your favorite snacks with your pup. But just because a food is safe for you doesn’t mean it’s safe for them. Some human foods can seriously mess with a dog’s system. It could also be that your pup has a sensitive stomach or a history of reacting badly to dairy; in that case, it’s best to skip the puppuccino—or at least keep it to tiny, occasional treats. Word to the wise: Before you decide to take your pup out for the treat, it’s best to check with your vet first.
Where else can you get treats for your pup?
Let’s be honest: You can get treats for your dog at any restaurant. A french fry here, a chicken nugget there, and they’ll be in heaven. Yet there are some restaurants that offer treats specifically for dogs. Some are official menu items, and others are “secret” and given at the discretion of the restaurant.
- Shake Shack offers Bag O’ Bones, which contains ShackBurger dog biscuits made by New York City’s Bocce’s Bakery. The biscuits are made with hormone-free, lean beef with cheddar cheese and power greens. Prices start at $9.49.
- In-N-Out Burger offers a meat patty, dubbed the “puppy patty” by customers. Pet parents can order it with or without salt. “A meat patty may be ordered individually at any of our locations for a little over a dollar,” says an In-N-Out spokesperson.
- The Dairy Queen pup cup—a small serving of vanilla soft-serve ice cream—was around long before secret menus became de rigueur. However, since most DQ locations are independently owned franchises, you may want to check with your local spot first to make sure it offers this treat.
Indulging your pup with a treat every now and then, whether a puppuccino or a bag of biscuits, is totally fine, especially if they are on a healthy, balanced diet. But let’s be real—there’s not much in it that actually benefits them. Your vet would probably give you the look and tell you to keep it as an occasional treat. The dairy and sugars might not sit well with some pups, especially if they’ve got a sensitive tummy. So maybe save it for special “good dog” moments!
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on the Starbucks puppuccino, Lisa Marie Conklin tapped her experience as a journalist who specializes in pets. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Ashley Ackley, DVM, veterinarian and board member of The Grey Muzzle Organization
- American Kennel Club: “People Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat”
- Shake Shack: “Bag O Bones at Shake Shack”
- The U.S. Sun: “In-N-Out employee reveals top ‘secret’ menu items – and shoppers in the queue are ordering them immediately”
