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A smiling older man in overalls holds a vanilla ice cream cone while a fluffy white Persian cat licks the top of it. 23 / 36

Grandpa Earl Bought One Ice Cream Cone on a Hot Day. That Was His First Mistake.

AI imagepersian catice creamsummer

Summer heat has brought out the ice cream, and Earl was planning to enjoy his cone in peace on the back step. Instead, he is grinning sheepishly as Duchess leans in and takes a long, determined lick off the top of the vanilla scoop. Her pink tongue is out, her copper eyes are wide, and her white fur is fluffed around her face in the warm air. Earl sits crouched among gardening clutter: a basket of rags, a pair of work gloves, a trowel, a potted succulent, and a thermos, with an open garage full of boxes behind him.

Many cats are drawn to the creamy smell of ice cream, but it is not a good treat for them. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, meaning dairy can cause upset stomachs, gas, or diarrhea. Ice cream is also high in sugar and fat, which cats do not need. Some flavors are especially risky: chocolate is toxic to cats, and some sugar-free products contain sweeteners that are harmful to pets. A tiny accidental lick is unlikely to cause serious trouble for a healthy cat, but it is best not to make it a habit. On hot days, fresh cool water and a shady spot are far better choices.

Earl may have lost the top of his scoop, but he does not seem to mind sharing a sweet summer moment. Next time, though, he might want to bring a cat treat along as a decoy.

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