Furious dog mom blasted Starbucks for denying pup cups — then an ex-worker exposed sad reality of the viral doggie treat

In the age of inclusive pet-friendly spaces, pup cups have emerged as the viral doggie treat that every pet owner wants to give their furry companions. When an annoyed dog owner complained that Starbucks had denied her request for pup cups, an ex-worker and popular TikTok creator (@coffeefanatics) shed light on the sad reality behind the pet treat. Ever since pup cups went viral, pet owners have walked into every store demanding them, but the creator hints that Starbucks does not have an obligation. 

The dog owner, @body_positive_bartender, got candid in her now-unavailable video about how she pulled up to the drive-through and asked for two pup cups, only to be told by staff, "We don’t do those in the winter. We go through whipped cream too fast.” The brief snippet caught the attention of an ex-worker and coffee fanatic who seemed to have insider knowledge of what goes on behind the counter. 

“Yeah, I know that’s probably not the reason,” said the creator. Pup cups are basically small cups filled with whipped cream that people like to treat their dogs with. As many would have speculated, the staff was probably not willing to do the work for a pet’s treat, but the ex-worker clarified that it’s not that big of an effort in exercise. “Although I agree, it is semi-inconvenient [sic] that you have to make a pup cup when somebody gets right to the window. It’s really not that hard to make,” he said. The core of the issue was the unreality of pup cups, and the creator refused to believe it was a “thing.” 

He explained, “It’s a thing that became trendy in certain stores that are in drive-throughs [sic]. You can completely say ‘No’ to a pup cup for whatever reason.” Therefore, any literal staff worker can potentially reject the request for pup cups. As a final tip, the ex-worker suggested ordering food at the drive-through and asking them for pup cups, if needed. The viral post with 14,200 likes left viewers with a mix of reactions, mostly from baristas and staff workers. “As a Starbucks employee, I find them extremely annoying and inconvenient. Especially when people come through the drive only for a pup cup,” said @readytogohome. 

A pet owner (@marbleartstudios) shared, “I got tired of going to Starbucks and getting a pup cup, so I just bought whipped cream and gave a little to my dogs. So much easier.” A Dunkin' Donuts worker (@froggiemoon.cos) revealed their owners had advised against serving pup cups, yet people asked for them and got upset when denied. According to the English Town Vet MD, pup cups may not be safe for dogs with lactose intolerance. It can lead to gas, diarrhea, vomiting, and an upset stomach as whipped cream contains dairy ingredients. However, moderation is key for all dogs. 

You can follow @coffeefanatics and @itscassidyatchison on TikTok for more videos.