The delightful, airy textured cream that goes good on every cake, is better known as whipped cream. Humans love putting whipped cream on every dessert. Pies, fruits, or straight from the can, directly into our mouths. This rich and creamy dessert topping is made only of two simple ingredients. So, you probably wondered if it’s okay to share some with your four-legged friend.
Light and fluffy, some people even call whipped cream “Milk snow.” This creamy treat became popular in the 16th century. Since then, it’s hard to imagine dessert-making without canned or homemade whipped cream. While this dairy cream can be a great addition to our human treats, it’s fair to ask – can dogs eat whipped cream?
In this article, we’re going to cover all of your burning questions related to whipped cream consumption in dogs. Should you give them any, and if yes – how much is too much? Read along to find out more!
Can Dogs Eat Whipped Cream?
In short: Yes, very rarely and in small doses. Whipped cream is not toxic to our furry friends. But still, giving him some in exceeded quantities is certainly not beneficial.
Many dog owners often give whipped cream to their dogs without thinking much about it. Even Starbucks has a “Puppuccino” in their secret menu, specially made heavy whipped cream, with added thickening agents.
Dog owners love making their pups happy with an unordinary treat. Unfortunately, whipped cream isn’t the best option for canines. Desserts, in general, can be relatively dangerous for dogs because of the high sugar content. In most cases, whipped cream is made of two ingredients: heavy cream and sugar, similar to ice cream.
Both sugar and dairy products aren’t the best things you can feed your dog with. And that’s only when we’re talking about homemade! The canned ones are filled with other compounds, like emulsifiers and similar chemicals.
Nutritional Value
When talking about whipped cream consumption in dogs, it’s essential to know the nutritional value of the so-called “Milk snow.”
It’s important to mention that not all whipped creams have the same nutritional value. The nutrients are different in canned and homemade. The canned ones also vary, depending on the manufacturer.
Here we’re going to show the nutritional value of a one-half cup of heavy whipped cream, which is around 120 grams.
| Calories | 400 |
| Protein | 3 grams |
| Fat | 43 grams |
| Vitamin A | 35% of the *RDI |
| Carbs | 3 grams |
As you can see, whipped cream is full of fat. Not only that, the fat in whipped cream is primarily saturated fat, which contributes to the development of heart disease in humans, and especially pets.
How Much Whipped Cream Should I Give My Dog?
The key lies in moderation. If your dog is eating more whipped cream than occasionally tasting it, it’s already too much. Having the “Puppuccino” often is certainly not an option if you want your dog to be healthy. Don’t forget; a healthy dog almost always means a happy dog. The short-term happiness caused by sugary treats just isn’t worth the risks.
| Large dogs | One tablespoon of whipped cream once in a while |
| Middle-sized dogs | less than one tablespoon of whipped cream once in a while |
| Small dogs | One teaspoon of whipped cream once in a while |
Can Whipped Cream Harm Your Dog?
Unfortunately, there are a lot of potential health risks that whipped cream can cause. Most of those are because of the high sugar content and saturated fat found in whipped cream.
Obesity
When you think about giving your dog canned whipped cream, check the back of the can. Read the nutritional value and look for saturated fats and sugar. These compounds can be okay in small doses, but overeating can lead to weight gain. Dogs are considered overweight when they weigh ten or more percent above their ideal weight. Dogs are considered obese when it passes 20 percent.
Heart Disease
With obesity, it’s not rare that your pup develops cardiovascular issues. Obesity is frequently associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and heart failure. With a high content of sugar and saturated fats in whipped cream, it’s a possibility when given regularly.
Diabetes
Canine diabetes often occurs when dogs eat high-sugar foods. Dog’s blood sugar levels spike when consuming sugar. When that happens too often, diabetes is a real risk. This disease follows your dog his whole life, and it can act as an open door for even more health problems.
Diabetes in dogs can bring health issues like cataracts, which lead to blindness, enlarged liver, seizures, or kidney failure. Besides eating sugary foods, some dogs are more genetically prone to developing canine diabetes.
Bloat
Air is the reason behind the whipped cream’s fluffy texture. When dogs consume too many “airy” products, it can lead to bloat. Excess gas should not be confused with bloat. Bloat is much more dangerous, and it can even lead to stomach convulsion.
A stomach convulsion is also known as a twisted stomach. If you notice your dog having a swollen belly and if he’s retching but not being able to vomit, call your veterinarian immediately. This condition is an emergency, and it can even be fatal if not treated fast.
Dental Issues
Just like in humans – too many sweets lead to cavities! Fortunately, dental issues in dogs are much rarer than in humans. That’s mostly because of other bacteria found in dogs’ mouths and different-shaped teeth.
However, when eating too many sugary products, those differences don’t matter. Sweets cause cavities in dogs also, so avoid giving them sweet-tasting junk food!
Symptoms of tooth pain in dogs:
- Unusual drooling
- Bad breath
- Loss of appetite
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
Lactose Intolerance
Finally, there’s lactose intolerance. Dog’s digestive system differs a lot from ours. Canines aren’t able to digest a ton of lactose. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all dogs are lactose intolerant. Still, they definitely can’t handle as many dairy products as we do.
For dogs who can’t handle lactose at all, even a one-year whipping cream treat can do harm.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance in dogs are:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Bloating
- Toileting accidents
The dairy itself isn’t required in a canine’s diet, so the best remedy for lactose intolerance is just skipping on all dairy products. If you still feel like your dog misses his milk, you can always skip to soy, almond, or only lactose-free products.
Additional Warnings
Avoid Sugar-Free Whipped Cream
Although sugar seems like the main culprit in all health risks – sugar-free whipped cream is not a solution.
Sugar-free whipped cream can contain a compound called xylitol. Xylitol is a standard sugar replacement of natural origin, and it is poisonous for your dog. This substance is usually found in sugar-free products, so read labels carefully. Xylitol is undoubtedly more harmful to your dog than sugar.
Chocolate Flavored Whipped Cream – A Big No
Another health risk lies in chocolate-flavored whipped cream. Chocolate is very toxic to our furry friends because of the substance named theobromine. This substance affects the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and diuretic effect.
The first sigs in the poisoning of theobromine in dogs are:
- Vomiting
- Hyperirritability
- Tachycardia
- Excessive panting
- Muscle twitching
If you doubt that your dog ate anything containing chocolate, do not delay calling your veterinarian. It can be fatal.
Does Whipped Cream Have Any Health Benefits?
While the list of health risks is long, the health benefits are too small to be considered advantages. Yes, whipped cream is high in vitamin A, but sugars’ risks cancel out the benefits. Plus, the amounts recommended undoubtedly won’t be enough to do anything beneficial for your dogs well being.
The only situation where whipped cream can be useful is with underweight dogs. Because it’s so tasty, it serves as an excellent motivation for dogs who aren’t food crazed. Even in this scenario, watch out and be moderate because obesity isn’t the only health risk.
Final Words
That’s about it: The things you need to know about whipped cream consumption in dogs, all in one article. Even though it’s light and fluffy, whipped cream is undoubtedly fatty, and nothing fatty nor sugary isn’t good for our furry friends.
Now you know all the potential risks and how to avoid them. A little bit of whipped cream isn’t going to harm your pup. The dangers lie in regular consumption and stepping off the recommended doses. You can give a little bit of that guilty pleasure to your puppy once in a while, but be moderate. Thus, think again before giving your dog the whole cup of “Puppuccino”!
Learn More: What Can Dogs Eat? A Comprehensive List Of Dog-safe Foods