Grandpa Got Himself an Ice Cream Cone. Domino Had to Inspect It First.
Grandpa is grinning from ear to ear, and it's easy to see why. He's holding out a vanilla cone, and Domino, fluffy and wide-eyed, has leaned right in for a close inspection, whiskers fanned forward and nose nearly touching the scoop. The living room behind them is lived-in and cozy: knit throws over the couch, a potted plant by the window, slippers kicked off on the floor. It's a hot-day treat, and clearly nobody wanted to enjoy it alone.
As tempting as it is to share, ice cream isn't a good snack for cats. Despite the old image of kittens lapping up milk, most adult cats don't digest lactose well, and dairy can lead to an upset stomach. Sugary desserts add calories a cat doesn't need, and some flavors and toppings, such as chocolate, coffee, or certain sugar-free sweeteners, can be harmful to pets. A better way to include a cat in treat time is with a few pieces of a cat-safe treat or a small bit of plain cooked meat. If your cat has already helped itself to a lick of something questionable, talk to your vet about whether you need to watch for anything.
Of course, sometimes the sniff is the whole point. Cats are famously curious about anything their people find interesting, and a cold, sweet-smelling cone is about as interesting as it gets on a summer afternoon.
Grandpa will probably finish the cone himself. Domino will probably keep supervising until the very last bite.






