Most dogs are able to digest whipped cream. However, certain types of toppings have artificial sweeteners that aren’t safe for pets. Not to mention that some dogs have a hard time with dairy, as it can cause gastrointestinal issues.
As a dog parent, you probably enjoy making a huge fuss out of your pup’s birthday. You plan all sorts of treats and invite all of his canine and non-canine friends.
The most important part is the birthday cake, and it’s not complete without some sort of topper. So, you’re left wondering, can dogs eat whipped cream? Let’s find out.
Can Dogs Have Whipped Cream?
Dogs are not exactly picky eaters. They tend to nibble on whatever’s in front of them.
When you're sitting at the dinner table, your furball will probably join you. Their sad puppy dog eyes will plead for any food scraps.
It can be heartbreaking to say no, but it’s the right thing to do. Most of the time, human food is too rich and dense for dogs to digest well.
Still, that’s not always the case with whipped cream. You can safely feed your dog some types of whipped cream.
However, you have to be aware of the composition and quantity.
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Whipped Cream Composition
Whipped cream usually has two main ingredients:
- Cream
- Sugar
In general, neither of these ingredients is particularly healthy for your dog.
Should Dogs Eat Cream?
It should come as no surprise that cream is the main ingredient in this tasty treat. Even though it’s delicious, giving it to your pet may not be the best idea.
Cream contains a sugar called lactose. In order for your pup to digest it, they need an enzyme called lactase.
Most dogs don’t have high levels of this enzyme, which means they shouldn’t have much dairy.
This means that, just like humans, dogs can also be lactose intolerant.
How much dairy your dog can have will depend on the breed. For example, pugs are more likely to be lactose intolerant.
Figuring out if your pup can handle dairy shouldn’t be too difficult. All you have to do is look for any signs of reaction.
These can include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
If you notice any of these symptoms, keep your puppy away from dairy and contact your vet.
Still, in small quantities, dairy can make a nice snack for your furball.
Should Dogs Eat Sugar?
The other main component of whipped cream is sugar. This sweet ingredient is incredibly controversial.
The three main types of sugar are:
- Natural
- Processed
- Artificial
Natural sugar, like that found in some fruits, should be safe for your pet in small quantities.
Moving on, for the most part, dogs shouldn’t be consuming processed sugar. Regular consumption of it can lead to rapid weight gain and metabolic issues.
However, a small amount of sugar every once in a while may be fine.
This is not true for artificial sweeteners, though. If your whipped cream contains any, you should avoid giving it to your pet.
Some types of sweeteners, like xylitol, can be poisonous to your four-legged friend. Thus, keep your pet as far away from it as possible.
What Type of Whipped Cream Is Safe for Dogs?
After reading about the components of whipped cream, you may think it’s terrible for your pet. Still, that’s not entirely true.
There are certain types of whipped cream that are safe for your dog.
Before you purchase a can of whipped cream, take a look at the nutritional facts section. You should be able to find a list of the ingredients.
To ensure that the desert is safe for your dog, find whipped cream that:
- Has low lactose concentration
- Has low sugar content
- Doesn’t include any artificial sweeteners
- Doesn’t contain imitation vanilla
Finding a whipped cream that matches these criteria can be a little tricky. A good way around this is buying a sugar-free, vegan option.
This way, you can make sure that the lactose and sugar contents are low.
As long as you find the right ingredients, a little whipped cream should be safe for your dog.
How Much Whipped Cream Should Your Dog Eat
When considering how much whipped cream to give your dog, think of your childhood.
Remember that your parents would only let you have one or two servings at most. The same goes for your canine friend.
If you do plan on giving your dog whipped cream, go with a small amount.
Moreover, it isn’t a good idea for this to be a regular thing. Feeding your dog an occasional spoonful of whipped cream should be more than enough.
Giving your pet a lot of whipped cream can lead to gastrointestinal issues later on. Still, this isn’t common.
Generally speaking, your dog can consume large amounts of whipped cream and keep on going.
It’ll make your pup a little moody and give it an upset stomach. Therefore, it’s best to minimize the consumption of whipped cream.
If your dog breaks into a jar of the desert and eats the whole thing, consult a vet. Hopefully, the situation will pass without any serious problems.
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Should Dogs Eat Whipped Cream?
Now that you know what goes into whipped cream, you may wonder, should dogs even eat it?
The answer to that question is no. While dogs can safely consume whipped cream, it’s not exactly high on their food pyramid.
Whipped cream has little to no nutritional benefit. That’s why parents keep it away from their children.
However, the creamy treat does have an incredibly high caloric content. The main reason this can be useful is to help your puppy gain weight.
Whipped cream can be an excellent way to help your dog put on a few pounds.
The treat can also be useful for dog training. It may not be the best for them, but they still enjoy it quite a bit.
Paul has been creating content for the dog niche for many years. The information he shares comes his first hand experience growing up in dog lovers household and then owning multiple dog breeds of his own as an adult. Paul enjoys doing the hard research to collect, analyze and present our dogtemperament.com readers with the best answers to their questions.