Yes, dogs can eat homemade whipped cream in moderation as an occasional treat. However, store-bought whipped cream is filled with fat, sugar, and added flavors. These ingredients are harmful to dogs in many ways and can lead to severe health issues. Whipped cream, homemade, or store-bought offers no health benefits to dogs. As a responsible pet parent, you must wisely provide food to your dog.
Table of Contents
What is Whipped Cream?
This “milk snow,” which first gained popularity in 16th century Italy, was given to aristocracy and kings across the country. The first recipes for this light and airy dessert may be found in Cristoforo di Messisbugo’s writings from 1549. After being brought to England in 1673, it was given the name “whipped cream,” although it was also known as “snow cream” for another 100 years.
By whisking heavy cream, whipped cream is made. As the cream thickens, powdered or icing sugar is added. Flavors such as vanilla extract, coffee, or cocoa powder are also added to please the taste buds.
Is Whipped Cream Safe for Dogs?
Whipped cream is not toxic for dogs but is not safe either. However, if you offer your dog homemade whipped cream, there will be no adverse effects on dogs. Store-bought whipped cream contains excessive fat and sugar, added flavors such as chocolate, vanilla extract, coffee, and xylitol. These ingredients are poisonous for dogs.
Why is Whipped Cream Good for Dogs?
Whipped cream, either homemade or store-bought, does not offer any health benefits to dogs. The only thing which it has is calcium. Calcium helps in improving the bone density of your dog. However, your dog can get the required calcium from his kibble.
Why is Whipped Cream Bad for Dogs?
Store-bought whipped cream is not good for dogs to eat. Let us check out the ingredients and their down sides:
Fat and Sugar: The fat and sugar content are high in store bought whipped cream which can be dangerous for dogs to consume. The saturated and empty calories are unnecessary for dogs. Commercial whipped cream contains alternatives to sugar such as corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup, which are fatal to your dog. The consequences if your dog consumes excessive fat and sugar:
Obesity
Diabetes
Heart issues
Dental issues
Hyperactivity
Lethargy
Pancreatitis
Loss of appetite
Stomach soreness
Stomach inflammation
Hormonal imbalance
Milk: The primary ingredient of whipped cream is milk. Your dog might be lactose intolerant. Few dogs can handle lactose well, and few do not. Hence, it is best to avoid dairy products.
The consequences of consuming lactose are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Gastrointestinal issues
Gas
Bloating
Allergic reaction
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Scratching
Face swelling
Breathing difficulty
Vanilla Extract:Generally added to whipped cream, the vanilla extract contains 35% alcohol. Though the amount of extract added to the cream is too little to harm your pet, overconsumption of whipped cream can run the risk of alcohol poisoning in your pet. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning in dogs are:
If untreated, alcohol poisoning results in organ failure and even death in severe cases.
Chocolate:Chocolate is toxic to dogs. It contains methylxanthines like caffeine and theobromine, which dogs cannot break down like humans. Chocolate-flavored whipped cream can harm your pet’s health. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning are:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased thirst
Panting or restlessness
Excessive urination
Racing heart rate.
In severe cases, muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure can be seen. Signs of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 6 to 12 hours after your dog has eaten it and may last up to 72 hours.
Caffeine: Caffeine is too toxic to your dog, the same as theobromine does.
Thus, providing your pet coffee-flavored whipped cream can cause caffeine intoxication in them.
Symptoms of caffeine intoxication begin 30 minutes after consuming any food or drink products containing caffeine. In addition, caffeine can burn the pancreas, cause vomiting, raise heart rate and blood pressure.
Some pets undergo weakness, seizures, and fever to the point of collapsing. Early symptoms include loud noises, agitation, and increased urination. In addition, large quantities of caffeine may damage the lungs, kidneys, liver, and central nervous system.
Xylitol: Xylitol is used as a substitute for sugar, which has a low glycemic index and is ideal for those who like sweet treats but don’t want to gain weight. Xylitol doesn’t stimulate insulin production in humans, but it does in dogs. So if your dog consumes any food containing xylitol, they’re at a high risk of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia happens when sugar levels in the blood get too low. It is risky because when the sugar levels drop below the safe border, your dog may undergo seizures and is at risk of dying.
Air: Air is another primary element in whipped cream. The air in whipped cream gives it a fluffy and frothy texture. While consuming whipped cream, your dog is intaking an excessive amount of air which may lead to:
Bloating
Convulsion
Restricts airflow
Damages organs
Death
How Much Whipped Cream to Feed Your Dog?
It would help if you did not feed store-bought whipped cream to your dog in any amount. If you want to provide your dog with whipped cream, it is best to prepare whipped cream at home without added sugar and flavors.
What If My Dog Ate Whipped Cream?
If your dog accidentally ate excessive whipped cream, wait for a few hours for the symptoms to get displayed. The symptoms which he will show are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Face swelling
Scratching
Gas
Abdomen Pain
Visit your veterinarian and follow the medications as prescribed. It is best to continue with a bland diet for a few days until your dog gets better.
Alternatives to Whipped Cream
You can prepare homemade whipped cream for your dog. Also, to treat your dog occasionally, you can choose healthier alternatives such as:
No, puppies cannot eat whipped cream, even homemade, as their digestive system is more vulnerable than adult dogs.
Can dogs eat puppuccino?
Yes, dogs can eat puppuccino. It is solely made for dogs, but it isn’t healthy either. Hence, it is best to offer this treat occasionally.
Can dogs eat fresh whipped cream?
Your dog can eat fresh whipped cream only if he is not lactose intolerant and has no added sugar or flavors.
Can dogs eat light whipped cream?
No, dogs cannot eat light whipped cream, as it is made with excessive preservatives and processed ingredients which can be deadly for dogs.
Can dogs have unsweetened whipped cream?
Yes, dogs can have unsweetened whipped cream in moderation.
Can dogs have cool whipped cream?
No, dogs cannot have cool whipped cream as it can aid in catching cold, also it has excessive saturated fat and sugar which are unhealthy for dogs.
Can dogs have almond milk whipped cream?
Your dog may have almond milk whipped cream, provided it does not contain xylitol, and your dog is not allergic to almonds.
Can dogs have coconut milk whipped cream?
Your dog may have coconut milk whipped cream, provided it does not contain xylitol.
Can dogs have vanilla whipped cream?
No, vanilla has alcohol in it, which is not recommended for dogs to eat. Hence, vanilla whipped cream must not be fed to your dog.
Can dogs have vegan whipped cream?
Yes, dogs can have vegan whipped cream in moderation as it is made with aquafaba which is safe for dogs to eat.
Conclusion
Wrapping up whether dogs can eat whipped cream or not, we can draw a line saying that whipped cream is not healthy for dogs. Though homemade whipped cream as an occasional treat, in moderation, is safe for your dog, it doesn’t offer any nutritional benefits. Rather it affects the overall gut of the dog. Consuming whipped cream can affect your dog’s health to such an extent that it may lead to death. As a responsible pet parent, it is best to offer your dog healthy foods and healthy life.
