Introduction to Ben & Jerry’s Dog Treats
In 2016, Ben & Jerry’s entered the pet treat market with the launch of Pontch’s Mix, a line of frozen dog treats made with the same commitment to quality ingredients as their famous human ice cream flavors (https://www.benjerry.com/flavors/ponchs-mix-doggie-desserts). As pioneers in unique ice cream innovations like chunks and swirls, Ben & Jerry’s applied the same philosophy to creating a frozen treat for dogs. Pontch’s Mix contains no artificial flavors or preservatives, using wholesome ingredients like peanut butter, bananas, and pretzels.
Ben & Jerry’s launched Pontch’s Mix as a tribute to one of their employee’s dogs named Pontch. They saw an opportunity to bring their quirky ice cream sensibilities into the emerging pet treat market. While Ben & Jerry’s was founded on making ice cream for humans, they realized dogs deserve tasty frozen treats made with high-quality ingredients too. Pontch’s Mix allowed Ben & Jerry’s to expand their brand and appeal to pet owners seeking healthier alternatives.
Benefits of Frozen Dog Treats
Frozen dog treats provide a number of benefits for pet owners and dogs alike. Some of the key advantages include:
Convenience and easy portion control – Frozen treats are pre-portioned into bite-sized pieces, making it easy to grab a serving without having to measure. Owners don’t have to worry about treats going stale or monitoring portion sizes.
Appreciated on hot days – Dogs love frozen treats on hot summer days. The cold snack helps them cool down and prevents overheating. According to ProudDogMom, the frozen texture is refreshing for pups when it’s sweltering outside.
Keeps treats fresh for longer – Freezing treats prevents spoilage, extending the shelf life. Owners can make large batches and store them for weeks or months.
Interesting texture dogs enjoy – The frozen, crunchy texture is a nice change of pace from soft, chewy treats. It keeps pups engaged during treat time.
Key Ingredients in Pontch’s Mix
Pontch’s Mix Doggie Dessert contains several key ingredients that make it tasty and safe for dogs:
Peanut Butter – This ingredient provides a creamy, nutty flavor that most dogs love. Peanut butter is a good source of protein and healthy fats for dogs.
Pretzels – The pretzels add a crunchy texture contrast to the ice cream. Pretzels are made from simple ingredients like flour, yeast, and salt that are dog-friendly.
Carob Chips – Carob is a chocolate substitute made from carob pods. It has a similar taste to chocolate but doesn’t contain caffeine or theobromine, which can be harmful to dogs.
Yogurt – Yogurt provides a tangy flavor and probiotics that support digestive health in dogs.[1]
These ingredients give Pontch’s Mix a tasty peanut butter and pretzel swirl flavor that dogs love. The ingredients are specifically chosen to be safe, nutritious, and appealing for dogs.
Nutritional Value
Pontch’s Mix doggie desserts are certified by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) dog feeding standards to meet the nutritional levels established for all life stages of dogs. According to the Ben & Jerry’s SmartLabel, Pontch’s Mix contains 10.5% minimum crude fat, 3.5% maximum calories, 0.3% maximum crude fiber, and 56% maximum moisture.
The protein and calcium levels meet dogs’ nutritional needs. Pontch’s Mix contains a good balance of fat and fiber to support digestion and energy. Compared to other frozen dog treats, Pontch’s Mix has similar or higher fat and protein amounts but less sugar.
The ingredients and nutrition make Pontch’s Mix a tasty frozen dessert treat that also provides balanced nutrition for dogs.
Flavors and Varieties
Ben & Jerry’s currently offers Pontch’s Mix Doggie Dessert in 3 delicious flavors:
- Original – A peanut butter and carob flavored frozen treat made with yogurt and oats (Ben & Jerry’s)
- Pumpkin – A seasonal pumpkin flavored variety perfect for fall
- Maple – A maple syrup flavored option made with real Vermont maple syrup
While only 3 flavors are currently available, Ben & Jerry’s often comes out with new flavors for humans based on their classic ice creams. It’s likely we could see Pontch’s Mix flavors based on fan favorites like Cherry Garcia, Phish Food, or Chunky Monkey in the future.
The flavors are specially designed to be safe and delicious treats for dogs. They contain no chocolate, raisins, grapes, or artificial sweeteners that can be harmful to dogs.
Where to Buy Pontch’s Mix
Pontch’s Mix is available at major grocery store chains across the United States, including Kroger, Safeway, Target, and Walmart. It can typically be found in the frozen pet food section along with other Ben & Jerry’s dog treats (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ben-Jerry-s-Pontch-s-Mix-Dog-Ice-Cream-4-Count/47224333).
For wider availability, Pontch’s Mix can be ordered online through retailers like Amazon, Chewy, Petco, and the Ben & Jerry’s website (https://www.benjerry.com/flavors/pontchs-mix-doggie-dessert). Online ordering allows the treats to be shipped directly to your home.
Finally, Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops in various cities across the country carry the full line of dog treats. You can call ahead to your local scoop shop to see if they have Pontch’s Mix doggie desserts in stock before stopping by.
Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation supports and promotes pet adoption, animal welfare, spaying and neutering around the world. Through their corporate philanthropy program, Ben & Jerry’s aims to provide more than $2.5 million annually for organizations related to animal welfare and social justice causes. The company partners with organizations such as Greater Good Charities to fund adoption events and access to veterinary care for underserved pet owners. They work to increase funding for spaying and neutering programs, and improve education around responsible pet ownership.
Ben & Jerry’s founding values centered around caring for the community, which includes animals. They continue that mission through their foundation’s initiatives. Some highlights include supplying emergency response grants during disasters to help protect pets, supporting no-kill animal shelters, donating to service dog organizations, protesting puppy mills, and promoting farm animal welfare. The foundation helps amplify the voices of animal welfare nonprofits to enact positive systemic change.
Reviews from Pet Owners
Overall, Pontch’s Mix receives positive reviews from pet owners who have tried the frozen treats. On sites like Chewy and Amazon, the product earns an average rating of 4-5 stars out of 5.
Many owners mention that their dogs absolutely love the peanut butter and pretzel flavor. The treats are described as tasty and made with high quality ingredients. Several reviewers state their picky eaters or dogs with allergies had no issues with Pontch’s Mix.
Positive aspects highlighted include the fun flavors, easy to portion and serve size, and convenience of a frozen treat on a hot day. Owners also like supporting the Ben & Jerry’s brand and ethos around corporate responsibility.
A few concerns raised are the high fat content if fed too frequently, potential to cause stomach upset if dogs eat too fast, and one reviewer whose pet did not care for the pretzel texture.
Overall though, most pet owners seem highly satisfied with Pontch’s Mix and say it is a special treat their dog gets excited for. The quality ingredients and trusted Ben & Jerry’s name help make it a popular frozen dog dessert.
Comparison to Other Frozen Dog Treats
Pontch’s Mix stands out from other popular frozen dog treats like Purina’s Frosty Paws in a few key ways:
Ingredients – While Frosty Paws contains sugar and corn syrup, Pontch’s Mix opts for healthier ingredients like peanut butter, pretzels, and yogurt. Ben & Jerry’s focuses on quality ingredients closer to what humans would eat.
Nutrition – With 5g of protein per serving, Pontch’s Mix provides more protein than Frosty Paws. It also has fewer calories and less fat per serving. So it can be a more nutritious frozen treat option.
Price – Both brands retail around $5 per pint. But Ben & Jerry’s donates 100% of profits to animal welfare charities, so you get social impact for your money.
Unique Selling Points – Pontch’s Mix stands out with its mix-in flavors like peanut butter and pretzels, offering more taste variety compared to plain vanilla Frosty Paws. As an established ice cream brand, Ben & Jerry’s brings its signature quirky, fun branding to the dog treats.
Conclusion
Pontch’s Mix Dog Doggie Desserts from Ben & Jerry’s offer pet owners a nutritious, delicious frozen treat option for their dogs. Ben & Jerry’s commitment to sustainability, high-quality ingredients, and company values extend to their line of dog products as well. Key points covered in this article include the nutritional profile of Pontch’s Mix, with ingredients like peanut butter and pretzels, and the ice cream-like frozen texture dogs love. Flavors like Pontch’s Mix and Pumpkin Patch are available online and in select stores nationwide. Reviews show Pontch’s Mix earries a 4 out of 5 star rating for quality and dogs’ enjoyment. Compared to other frozen dog treats, Ben & Jerry’s offers name brand recognition, transparency about ingredients, and adherence to strict quality standards. The company’s Pet Foundation also gives back to animals in need. For frozen dog treats made by a brand pet owners trust, Pontch’s Mix Dog Doggie Desserts check all the boxes.