Can Dogs Eat Whipped Cream? Is It Safe?

That fluffy, sweet and delicious taste of whipped cream almost calls for it to be a treat to be enjoyed by all. How harmful could it be, really? Isn’t it mostly just air?

Well, it turns out not to be. Whipped cream, in moderate human consumption, can be a fun snack to enjoy. But, does this mean our dogs should enjoy it, too? The simple answer is no, and there’s a bit of reasoning behind it. Containing dairy, fats and sugars, whipped cream is a food that should perhaps be left off the treat menu for your dog.

What’s In Whipped Cream, And Why It’s Harmful

Famously known as a dessert topping, it really isn’t that surprising to find out that whipped cream does not contain many healthy substances, and can actually be adversary to your health if eaten excessively.

Some Contents

In about one cup of whipped cream, you will find over 150 calories, over 13 grams of fat, over 45 grams of cholesterol, almost 5 grams of sugar, and almost 5 grams of sodium. Even just one small bite of whipped cream packs an overabundance of minerals and substances that are unhealthy in excess.

Sugars and Fats

Sugar is not common in a dogs diet, and eating foods high in sugar can result in an upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, dental problems such as cavities, and even metabolic changes, with the possibility of developing diabetes. Dogs that are already diabetic should avoid human foods high in sugar at all costs.

Fats are crucial in a dogs diet in order for them to sustain a proper amount of energy. Despite this, fats obtained from whipped cream and other dessert products are not necessary for them, as they should be obtaining the healthy kinds of fats from their commercial or home-cooked meals, and dog-friendly foods. The extra fat from whipped cream can also give them a temporary upset stomach and digestive issues.

Dairy / Lactose Issues

It is not uncommon for dogs to be lactose intolerant. Whipped cream, being a dairy product, can cause problems for dogs and dog owners who were unaware of their dogs intolerance to lactose, which is the sugar contained in dairy products. Signs of lactose intolerance reaction would be issues such as bloating, diarrhea, stomach / abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

Even if your dog is not lactose intolerant, dairy products are not essential, or even necessary, in their diet to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Milk-based products can stir up digestive issues for your dog, and possibly expose some food allergies. After dogs grow out of the puppy stage, and begin to wean off of drinking their mother’s milk, the enzyme in their bodies, lactase, that breaks down lactose, begins to disappear due to it not being necessary anymore. Even if your dog is not diagnosed lactose intolerant, there are varying degrees of lactose intolerance to be found, and certain amounts of certain types of dairy products can affect multiple dogs to different degrees.

Weight Gain

As mentioned, whipped cream contains a very high calorie count, at around 150 grams per cup. This is quite abundant, considering you can eat a multitude of grams in just one bite. Excessive feeding of whipped cream to your dog will inevitably make them gain weight over time, considering the calories, fats and sugars contained.

It’s Just Not Worth It

Even though it is not worthy or beneficial for them, it may be beneficial to say that a very small amount of whipped cream, just one bite or so, will likely not harm your dog, and there won’t be much need to worry. But, any bit of consistent or excessive whipped cream consumption can prove to be harmful for your dog, and cause a bit of health and dental issues. It may be tempting to do so, but keeping away from feeding your dog whipped cream will prove to be much more beneficial for their overall livelihood.

Sources

 

Inc. “Eat This Much, Your Personal Diet Assistant.” Eat This Much, www.eatthismuch.com/food/nutrition/whipped-cream,53/.

PetMD. “6 Reasons Why Your Dog Shouldn’t Have Sugar.” PetMD, 28 Nov. 2016, www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/6-reasons-why-your-dog-shouldnt-have-sugar.

Ultimo, Caitlin. “Can Dogs Drink Milk?” PetMD, 21 Sept. 2017, www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-drink-milk.