Gelato for dogs as Italy heats up

Rosaria, left, serves Lara ice cream as Kiyoko looks on in a pets shop in Rome, Monday, June 18, 2012. Gelato for dogs contains no milk products harmful to canines. With temperatures in Rome topping 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), dogs are lapping up the icey treat at a pet supply store on the outskirts of the capital. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Rosaria, left, serves Lara ice cream as Kiyoko looks on in a pets shop in Rome, Monday, June 18, 2012. Gelato for dogs contains no milk products harmful to canines. With temperatures in Rome topping 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), dogs are lapping up the icey treat at a pet supply store on the outskirts of the capital. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Paolo, right, serves Kiyoko ice cream in a pets shop in Rome, Monday, June 18, 2012. Gelato for dogs contains no milk products harmful to canines. With temperatures in Rome topping 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), dogs are lapping up the icey treat at a pet supply store on the outskirts of the capital. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Paolo, right, and Rosaria serve their dogs Kiyoko and Greta canine ice cream in a pets shop in Rome, Monday, June 18, 2012. Gelato for dogs contains no milk products harmful to canines. With temperatures in Rome topping 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), dogs are lapping up the icey treat at a pet supply store on the outskirts of the capital. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

ROME (AP) ? Leave it to Italians to come up with just the thing to survive the dog days of summer: canine gelato.

This Italian ice cream for dogs contains no milk, eggs or sugar, which are harmful to canines. With temperatures in Rome topping 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, dogs are lapping up the icy treat at a pet supply store on the outskirts of the capital.

Dog-owner Anna Bordoni couldn't resist a taste from her mutt Elsa's cup and declared it "fantastic."

Rome vetrinarian Marialivia Palmieri says water remains the best cool-down treat for dogs. But she said the special canine gelato does dogs no harm ? and can be gratifying for pet and owner.

Flavors come in vanilla, rice and yogurt and a serving costs ?2 ($2.50).

Associated Press

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