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No, ducks should definitely not be given ice cream. Their digestive system isn’t equipped to handle the two main components of ice cream: dairy and sugar.
- Lactose intolerance: Unlike humans who can produce lactase, an enzyme to break down lactose (milk sugar) throughout their lives, ducks lose their ability to produce lactase shortly after hatching. Consuming dairy products like milk or ice cream can cause ducks stomach cramps, diarrhea, and dehydration.
- Sugar overload: Ducks are omnivores, but their natural diet consists mainly of aquatic plants, insects, small fish, and seeds. They don’t have a biological need for the high amounts of sugar found in ice cream. This sugar overload can lead to malnutrition, weight gain, and even fungal infections in their digestive tract.
While a curious duck might snatch a lick of ice cream offered by a well-meaning person, it’s important to remember that this is not a healthy treat for them.
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If you’re looking to feed the ducks, there are plenty of tastier and more nutritious options available at pet stores or online retailers that cater to waterfowl.
These include chopped vegetables like peas, lettuce, or corn kernels (in small quantities), or commercially prepared duck feed that provides all the essential nutrients they need to stay healthy and active.