Ben and Jerry’s isn’t afraid to take a stand with its ice cream flavors. From “I Dough, I Dough” (marriage for all) to “Justice ReMix’d” (criminal justice reform) and “Save Our Swirled” (climate change), the company has come out with a number of flavors addressing social issues.
And now, it has decided to take a stance on something very near and dear to our hearts: dogs.
The company announced it has released two dog-friendly ice creams. Okay, they aren’t technically ice cream, but rather are referred to as “Doggie Desserts.”
Related: 6 Dog-Friendly Ice Cream Recipes to Keep Your Pup Cool During the Summer
Right now, dog lovers can choose between “Pontch’s Mix,” a frozen treat made with a sunflower butter base, peanut butter, and pretzels or “Rosie’s Batch,” which also has a sunflower butter base along with pumpkin and mini cookies. Both are named after dogs at the pup-friendly Ben & Jerry’s office.
“We already know that dog owners like to share their Ben & Jerry’s with their pets—we get a lot of photos!” says Lindsay Bumps, a Ben & Jerry’s marketer who also happens to be a veterinary technician, told This Dog’s Life. “But our ice cream is not designed for dogs, so we created something specifically for our canine companions. Indulging our pets is definitely a growing trend.
Indeed it is.
The move into the pet space may come as a shock to some, but it shouldn’t. It isn’t a secret that we are obsessed with our dogs, and more and more people are spending money on their pooches, including a few key demographics: millennials, empty nesters and people who don’t have children. Last year, despite the pandemic, Americans are expected to spend a record-breaking $99 billion on their pets, with $5.5 billion spent on dog treats alone, a 44 percent jump from 2015 to 2020, according to data firm Euromonitor.
The Doggie Desserts will be available nationwide at both grocery and pet stores and will retail for $2.99 a pop (or $4.99 for a four pack).
Related: 5 Easy DIY Dog Treats for the Fall
