Our dogs can eat all sorts of things we can. After all, they are omnivores just like us! However, that doesn’t mean everything we stuff in our gullet belongs in our dog’s belly—or ours, if we’re being honest. So, how about whipped cream?
Whipped cream is not toxic to dogs, so they can eat it on occasion (like a Pup Cup). However, they should not eat it regularly for two reasons—sugar and dairy. Let’s learn more about dogs eating whipped cream in this article.
Why Shouldn’t Dogs Eat Whipped Cream?
Realistically, it is not a matter of whether dogs can eat whipped cream, but rather if they should. Whipped cream is technically non-toxic, unless it is sweetened with xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs.
Always do a quick sweep of the ingredients just to make sure that it’s simply milk, sugar, and cream. If it contains any artificial sweeteners, you should avoid it completely.
However, even if it is just plain whipped cream with no additional additives, it doesn’t mean that it’s in a dog’s best interest to eat it. Whipped cream is a very sugary snack that might be delicious, but it contains unhealthy ingredients for our canine companions.
So even if they licked a dollop off your plate, it’s not necessarily going to hurt them, but it won’t help them either. Let’s get into a little bit more of exactly what that means.
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Risks of Feeding Whipped Cream to Dogs
While there is no imminent threat to dogs eating whipped cream, there are a few things to consider.
Sugar
Sugar is bad for our pooches in excess. It contributes to a lot of different health ailments, including obesity. If your dog gains a bunch of weight, it can contribute to developing health issues such as arthritis, torn ligaments, and pancreatitis.
Dairy
Since some dogs don’t have the appropriate enzymes necessary to break down dairy, it really needs to be off their food menu. There is no benefit of giving your dogs dairy and their bodies can have a hard time digesting it which can create a lot of gastrointestinal distress. Dairy is high in fats which can lead to weight gain and pancreatitis. If your pup is prone to pancreatitis it’s best to keep dairy off their plate altogether.
Aerosol Cans
If your dog is a trash digger like many other members of the canine community, whipped cream cans can actually be pretty big trouble! If they are chewing on a whipped cream aerosol can, it can actually explode or burst, causing damage to the mouth or soft tissues.
It can also leak gasses that can make your pup feel a little dizzy! So, if you have whipped cream in an aerosol can, it’s always best to make sure it’s inaccessible to your dog.
Indirect Dangers of Whipped Cream
Whipped cream itself isn’t necessarily dangerous to dogs, but other elements involved might be. Whipped cream is often a topping for desserts, some of which contain other ingredients that are toxic or unhealthy for dogs.
Nuts
Some nuts, like peanuts, are perfectly fine for dogs to have in small amounts. But you should always be aware of the potential toxicity in certain nuts.
Toxic nuts include:
- Black walnuts
- Macadamia nuts
Artificial Sweeteners
As we mentioned earlier in the article, xylitol is a highly toxic artificial sweetener that can cause major complications and even death in dogs in high quantities. So, if you’ve chosen a fat-free or sugar-free whipped cream, check to see what they are using as a sugar replacement.
Chocolate
Chocolate is famously bad for dogs. A couple of bites might not kill them, but it contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. If your dog has eaten chocolate ice cream or another dessert, they might have symptoms like vomiting, stomach upset, and diarrhea or in more severe cases hyperactivity and changes in heart rhythm.
When to See a Vet
If you think that your pup has ingested something that could potentially be toxic, take them to the vet right away. If they just have an upset tummy due to too much whipped cream, you can contact your vet for guidance on how to proceed.
Some of them might want you to bring them in for evaluation while others will suggest providing supportive care at home.
Conclusion
Now you understand that whipped cream is not toxic on its own, permitting it doesn’t have any harmful artificial sweeteners, and your dog isn’t chewing on an aerosol can! Always keep in mind that sugar and dairy are not good for dogs, and you really shouldn’t give whipped cream to them, especially not on a regular basis.
However, if your dog lapped up a bit of whipped cream from a plate or you gave them a Pup Cup, they should be perfectly safe, with mild gastrointestinal upset at most.
Featured Image Credit: MaraZe, Shutterstock