• Daily Dig
  • Posts
  • 🐕 Pup cups and more for your dog's next drive

🐕 Pup cups and more for your dog's next drive

Friday, 9/13: Sponsored by Hill's - 15 spots for pup cups, seatbelt safety, DOTD

🐾 Start your day on the right paw…

dog GIF by The Dodo

… and see the world through your dog’s eyes 🐾

❝

Opening up your life to a dog who needs a home is one of the most fulfilling things you can do.”

Emma Kenney

Did you know…

Dogs can be trained to drive cars.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Pup Cups And More: 15 Spots for Your Dog’s Next Drive

This one’s for your pups who go absolutely bonkers at the mere mention of a car ride. There’s nothing quite like driving with the windows down, your dog’s head happily hanging out, with nowhere to be but enjoying the ride together.

The only thing that could make this even better is a tasty treat to go along with it, and guess what? Your pup can join in on the fun, too! There’s a surprising number of restaurants and drive-thrus that offer pup cups or other goodies for your dog. Here’s a roundup of 15 spots where your pup can get a treat on your next outing!

  1. Starbucks

No list of dog-friendly spots would be complete without starting with Starbucks. This is where many of us first discovered the iconic “Puppuccino.” Next time you visit the drive-thru and order your favorite latte, just ask for a “Puppuccino,” and the barista will hand you a small cup of whipped cream for your pup. The joy on your dog’s face as they lick every last drop is the best.

  1. Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen’s Pup Cup is a step up from the usual whipped cream treat—it's a small serving of vanilla soft-serve ice cream just for your dog. Just be sure to check that the chocolate soft serve didn’t get mixed in. Your pup can enjoy their sweet treat while you enjoy a Blizzard!

  1. Culver’s

At Culver’s, your pup gets more than just a pup cup. At select locations, they offer a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with a milk bone. Creamy and crunchy!

  1. Caribou Coffee

The Caribou Pup Cup is a generous four-ounce dollop of whipped cream for dogs. Sometimes, they’ll even top it with a dog treat. It’s a simple treat that’s perfect for your coffee date with your pup.

  1. Chick-fil-A

Not every Chick-fil-A location offers treats for dogs, but where available, the Pup Cup features a scoop of IceDream topped with a dog treat. Chick-fil-A describes IceDream as a delicious, frozen dairy treat that has that classic vanilla flavor. And for those locations that don’t offer it, I’ll bet that your pup won’t be disappointed if you just get them some chicken.

  1. Wendy’s

Wendy’s is famous for their soft and creamy Frostys, and they’ve got a treat for your pup too! Their “Dog Frosty” is a small cup of vanilla soft serve, so your doggo can feel included while you enjoy your Frosty.

  1. Shake Shack

Shake Shack makes the classic pup cups look boring. They must really love dogs here because they go the extra mile with their “Pooch-ini.” This special treat features dog-friendly vanilla custard, a swirl of peanut butter, and dog biscuits. While it’s not free (around $4), it’s a top-notch treat for your pup that’s definitely worth the price.

  1. Dunkin’ Donuts

America runs on Dunkin’, and so can your dog with their “Puppy Latte.” This small cup of whipped cream is a delightful treat for your pup, and some locations might even top it with a bone. It’s a free and sweet way to brighten your dog’s day, just like your own.

  1. Dutch Bros Coffee

Dutch Bros Coffee is a chain in the West U.S. with over 800 locations that know how to include pups. They offer a free small cup of whipped cream for dogs to enjoy while you sip on your coffee.

  1. Johnny Rockets

At Johnny Rockets, your pup can enjoy more than just a typical pup cup. The dog-loving staff goes above and beyond by serving your furry friend a cut-up hamburger patty along with a bowl of water. Since availability can vary by location, it's a good idea to check before you visit.

  1. Sonic

Sonic is famous for its hot dogs and refreshing slushes, but they also have a special treat for your pup! They call it a "Sonic Wag Cup," a small cup of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, depending on the location.

  1. Tim Hortons

Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons offers a special “Pup Cup” that features a small cup of whipped cream topped with a Timbit for your dog. It’s a fun and tasty treat that your pup will love while you enjoy your coffee and donuts.

  1. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt

Although Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt only has 125 locations across 12 states, it's worth a mention for its veterinary-approved dog treats. At their Redondo Beach location, they serve “Frosty Paws,” a dog-friendly ice cream made with soy. Other locations offer “Dogsters,” low-fat treats in peanut butter and mint flavors, free from artificial colors or flavors. Yum!

  1. In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger is another place that stands out from the rest. Your pup will be drooling once they realize the treat for them: a “Pup Patty.” It’s a plain hamburger patty, free of salt or seasoning. They also offer the “Flying Dutchman,” featuring two beef patties with two slices of cheese. These burgers will absolutely make your dog’s day.

  1. Scooter’s Coffee

Scooter’s Coffee, with over 800 locations in 30 states, offers a free Pup Cup featuring whipped cream topped with a tasty doggy bone treat. It’s a simple yet more than enough way to treat your pup during your coffee run.

Wherever you are, and whatever your local spot offers, your pup will be over the moon with a treat just for them—whether it’s a simple cup of whipped cream or an indulgent pup patty. Do you have any favorite spots to bring your pup? Did we miss any must-visit places? Let us know!

How to Keep Your Pup Safe in the Car

Car rides with your pup are a regular part of life—whether it’s a trip to the dog park, a visit to the vet, or a leisurely drive for a pup cup. While some dog parents are perfectly comfortable letting their pup roam freely in the back seat, others prefer a bit more security. Both approaches are completely okay! If you’re looking for options to keep your pup safer during car rides, here are three great choices.

Crates

A crate is one of the safest and coziest options for car travel with your pup. Choose a crate made from sturdy materials like aluminum, and if possible, opt for one with padding to add extra impact protection and comfort. Always make sure the crate is the right size—big enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

Place the crate on the floor of the back seat or in the open storage/trunk area, and remember to strap it down to minimize movement. Bringing along water and a couple of favorite toys will help keep your dog content. Plus, if your dog struggles with car sickness, using a crate can help reduce motion sickness!

Car Harnesses

Just like we use seatbelts for ourselves, a car harness is the same concept. Unlike regular walking harnesses, these harnesses strap into your car’s seatbelt system, giving your pup extra security and safety for your ride. Think of it as a seatbelt for your dog!

For extra peace of mind, look for harnesses that are CPS-certified for crash safety. Not all dog seat belts are created equal—some can actually cause your pup to fly off the seat during a collision. The Center for Pet Safety has conducted studies showing the importance of choosing a harness that meets their safety standards. So, opt for a CPS-certified harness!

Booster Seats

For smaller dogs, a booster seat can be a great way to give your pup that much-wanted view out the window while keeping them secure. Though no dog car seats have earned CPS approval yet, using a CPS-approved harness in combination with a booster seat can provide added security.

Whether you choose a crate, harness, or booster seat, your dog will be safer during car rides. And remember—no matter which option you go with, the back seat is the best place for your pup! Do you use extra protection for your dog while traveling? What’s your go-to method?

Waiting

Win a FREE year of Hill’s Pet Food!

Enter your dog or cat into Hill’s Pet of the Month Sweepstakes for a chance to win a year’s supply of food!

  • One GRAND PRIZE winner gets 1 year’s worth of Hill’s Pet Nutrition

  • 50 runners-up get a free small bag of pet food just for entering

  • New winners are announced every month

📸 Submit your dog or cat now!

Thanks to Hill’s for sponsoring The Daily Dig!

DOTD - Meet Holly Blossom & Bonnie Blue

Holly Blossom and Bonnie Blue are the best of friends! Their names are just as adorable as they are. It looks like they’re enjoying a wonderful day outside, sporting matching floofy collars with tie-dye and bone patterns. Tongues out is definitely a telltale sign of a great day and happy pups. We’d love to give those sweet chests a little pat. Thanks for sharing!

Image Courtesy of Daily Dig Reader Melissa

You Could Win a Year of Free Pet Food!

Could your pup be a star? Submit your dog or cat now for a chance to win a year’s supply of free pet food from Hill’s!

What is your pup's favorite treat?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Give Your Pup a Shout-Out!

Want to get your pup a shout-out in the next edition of the Daily Dig? Refer 3 friends to Daily Dig and you can get rewarded! Here’s how:

Click below to share with your friends

Enter your friend’s email (and don’t forget to let them know to look out for our email!)

Repeat and claim your reward!

A Special Message From Our Best Buddies

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 Did You Know: Three dogs named Monty, Ginny, and Porter were trained to drive cars by a New Zealand rescue group. It’s too amazing to not include a video here.

🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! This month's theme is dogs and their furry friends. Reply to this email with the best pics of your dog with a buddy, a short description, and their name to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

🥰 Spread positivity: Do you enjoy starting your day off with our community? If so, please consider forwarding this email to help us spread our love of all things dogs!

💌 Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with your pup’s favorite cool treat for a surprise in your inbox!

🐶 Is this your first time here?

Welcome to Daily Dig! We’re a small team of dog lovers who strive to bring a pawsitive dose of pup content to your inbox every morning. Join our pack of over 180,000 paw pals when you subscribe today!