As July marks National Ice Cream Month, award‑winning Dorset gelato manufacturer Baboo Gelato is reminding dog owners that not all ice creams are safe for pets.

The Dorset‑based artisan gelateria – creator of the award‑winning dog frozen treat Doggy Doggy Yum Yum – is also celebrating its 10th birthday this summer. As part of the milestone, Baboo Gelato is using National Ice Cream Month to raise awareness about the dangers of feeding dogs human ice cream and to highlight safe, dairy‑free alternatives.

Founded in 2016 by husband‑and‑wife team Annie and Sam Hanbury, Baboo Gelato began with a simple raspberry sorbet made from garden fruit. Annie later trained professionally at the Carpigiani University of Gelato in Bologna, transforming a kitchen experiment into one of the UK’s most respected artisan gelaterias. Today, Baboo Gelato is a Taste of the West Champion, a Great Taste Producer, and the maker of multiple Three Star Great Taste Award‑winning products. Their philosophy remains simple: “Ingredients, ingredients, ingredients.”

This commitment extends to their dog-friendly range. During National Ice Cream Month, Baboo Gelato warns that sharing human ice cream with dogs—even occasionally—can lead to serious health issues. Most adult dogs lose the enzyme lactase, making dairy difficult to digest. Human ice cream can cause bloating, diarrhoea, vomiting, pancreatitis, obesity, diabetes, and allergic reactions to milk proteins. Many flavours also contain toxic ingredients such as xylitol, chocolate, raisins, grapes, and macadamia nuts. Even “dog-friendly” puppuccinos and  other brands made with lactose-free dairy still carry risks due to fat content, calories, and dairy‑based allergens.

In response to customer demand, Baboo Gelato created Doggy Doggy Yum Yum, a clean‑label, plant‑based frozen treat designed specifically for dogs. Made with a 100% dairy‑free coconut milk base, it contains no refined sugars, artificial flavourings, emulsifiers, or gums. It is naturally sweetened with organic agave syrup, fully vegan, gluten‑free, xylitol‑free, and includes Dorwest Herbs Keeper’s Mix® Sensitive to support coat and overall health. Flavours include Peanut Butter & Banana and Apple & Blueberry.

Doggy Doggy Yum Yum has earned major industry recognition, including Best Pet Treat 2024 at the Pet Industry Federation Awards, two Highly Commended PetQuip Awards, and Best New Product of the Yearfrom Pedigree Wholesale Ltd. Every pot sold donates 5p to Dogs for Good, helping train assistance dogs for people with disabilities, autism, and dementia.

“If you’re treating your dog this summer, make sure it’s with a frozen dessert that’s truly safe,” says co‑founder Sam Hanbury. “National Ice Cream Month is the perfect time to celebrate—but also to protect our pets.”

Doggy Doggy Yum Yum is available in grocery shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants, pet shops, and at Baboo Gelato kiosks in West Bay, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, and Swanage, as well as online and through Pedigree Wholesale, Hunt’s Food Group, and Cotswold Fayre.

 For trade and POS enquiries: sam@baboogelato.com, 01308 488629, www.baboogelato.com, www.doggydoggyyumyum.com.