No doubt, you’re probably asking this question because you’re about to feed your dog some form of dessert with whipped cream – correct? Or it could be that they’ve tried it before and love the stuff – but you’re not sure they can regularly eat whipped cream?
You might just want to spray it in their mouth for a bit of fun! And there are even “Puppuccinos” out there now from Starbucks!
Whatever your reasoning, we’ll let you know that dogs can eat whipped cream. Well, it’s not toxic to dogs, at least.
But before you go ahead and give them any whipped cream…
There are some issues to be aware of, which we will cover in this guide.
And since you don’t usually serve whipped cream on its own, it’s also good to know which foods dogs can’t eat – especially foods you would typically pair up with whipped cream.
Plus, you might want to know if there are any whipped cream alternatives?
So let’s get to it…
Lactose Intolerance in Dogs
The first thing you should consider before giving your dog any dairy products is to find out whether your dog is lactose intolerant.
Lactose issues are a problem that many dogs have at varying degrees, and it’s up to you to determine if they can comfortably eat dairy without experiencing any unpleasant symptoms. The best way to find out if they have lactose issues is to give them a small portion of dairy and then monitor them over 24 hours.
The symptoms you should look out for include:
- Nausea
- Low energy levels
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Flatulence
Depending on how severe and how many of these symptoms crop up, you can decide whether dairy is right for your dog or not. If none of these symptoms show, then you’re one step closer to giving them whipped cream.
Yet, there are other potential issues to consider…
How Much Whipped Whipped Cream Can Dogs Eat?
We all know that whipped cream isn’t considered the healthiest of ingredients around. But in actuality, there are some health benefits to whipped cream.
Yes, you heard that right – whipped cream has health benefits.
The reason why it’s considered unhealthy is that it’s highly calorific and full of fat. Therefore if you eat a lot of it, expect weight gains. And the same applies to your pet pooch – if they eat loads of whipped cream, they’re going to get fat.
So some key advice is to have it in small amounts occasionally – and that’s advice for us and our dogs!
But how is whipped cream in any way healthy?
Well, it’s actually full of healthy fat that both humans and dogs need in a balanced diet. Then, since it’s a milk-based product, there’s calcium in whipped cream, which helps create stronger bones.
Furthermore, whipped cream has vitamin A. This vitamin supports a healthy immune system, vision in low light, and it keeps your dog’s skin looking great.
In addition, whipped cream contains choline, a substance that supports your dog’s brain and nervous system. And it is used to make the membranes surrounding your dog’s cells.
And lastly, there’s phosphorus in whipped cream. It’s used by the body to form teeth and bones.
So far, what we’ve established is that in small amounts, whipped cream is fine for your dog – as long as they aren’t heavily lactose intolerant. As well, a little bit of whipped cream now and again could be beneficial to your dog because of the healthy fat, vitamins, and minerals.
Now let’s consider…
Food You Shouldn’t Give to Dogs
More specifically, we’d also like to explore foods that might be typically paired up with whipped cream that you shouldn’t give to dogs.
Raisins
Many cakes and pastries can have raisins baked in, and then a nice little touch of whipped cream on top. Unfortunately, raisins can cause kidney failure and severe liver damage in dogs. So it’s clearly best to avoid both raisins and grapes too.
Artificial Sweetener
The real culprit here is an artificial sweetener called Xylitol. It’s seemingly OK for humans, but it can play havoc with your dog, potentially causing hypoglycemia, liver failure, and blood clotting issues.
This ingredient could even be found in some store-bought whipped creams as a sugar replacement. But it can also be found in some kinds of peanut butter – an element sometimes added into cakes and cookies. And other baked goods might have it in. So it’s always best to have a quick check for artificial sweeteners in food before serving it to your dog.
Alcohol
Along with raisins, many cakes might have some alcohol-laced into them. You might be thinking it will only be a tiny amount, though – right? Even in small doses, alcohol reacts with a dog’s body leading to sickness and diarrhea. Plus, in more extreme circumstances, a dog’s alcohol consumption can lead to central nervous system damage.
Chocolate
This has to be one of the most prominent foods to watch out for when feeding your dog whipped cream. Due to its theobromine content, chocolate is toxic to dogs. They can’t metabolize the substance, and it’s a scary fact that just 0.3 ounces per pound of your dog’s body weight could be deadly.
Macadamia Nuts
Some nuts are fine for dogs. Although they can be a bit fatty if eaten in large quantities, the fats are mostly healthy ones. That being said, macadamia nuts are a no-go with dogs because they can make your dog’s limbs swell, and they can pant heavily after eating them. The reason these things happen is due to the nuts seriously messing with your dog’s nervous system.
Please bear in mind – there are many other foods out there that are toxic or disagreeable with dogs. So do your research if you are unsure about any food we haven’t listed.
Foods That Are OK for Dogs
Again, we’re going to approach this section by discussing foods that you might serve with whipped cream to your dog.
Cake
Without chocolate or artificial sweeteners, macadamia nuts, and raisins – cakes are not toxic to dogs. They are usually full of sugar and fats, so go easy with the portion sizes and don’t give it to them too often. But when they get a nice little serving with whipped cream squirted on top – they’re going to love you!
Bananas
Many dogs will have an appetite for bananas. You can slice them up or mush them into a creamy paste. One super cool recipe idea is to mush it up and freeze it, so it’s like a type of frozen yogurt or ice cream.
Plus, bananas are full of vitamins and minerals. However you choose to serve them, a good squirt of whipped cream will make them that more delicious for your dog.
Peanut Butter
Most people wouldn’t just give peanut butter on its own to a dog, let alone with whipped cream. However, it could be added to cake or bread and have a little cream squirted on top. Just make sure the peanut butter isn’t artificially sweetened.
Whipped Cream Alternatives For Dogs?
If your dog is lactose intolerant, but you want your dog to enjoy a similarly creamy treat like whipped cream – there is a solution.
One of the best dairy-free alternatives for your dog is to make coconut whipped cream. The great thing about this type of cream is that there is no added sugar – just the natural sugars that occur in coconuts.
Just buy a can of coconut milk, or get it fresh if you can, and then whip it up with your method of choice. You could use a blender, a good old whisk, or a specialist type of equipment called a whipped cream dispenser for the best results.
How to Make A “Puppuccino”
So you’ve had the Starbucks Puppuccinos that they make, and your dog loves them? Or maybe you just want to try one out after learning about it somewhere – possibly here?
Whatever the case, you can either use cream or coconut milk and essentially it’s just whipped cream with some choice toppings if you want.
We prefer to use coconut milk. The canned variety is best for a thicker and creamier texture.
All you have to do is pour the milk into a bowl or blender and whizz it up until it has a nice creamy texture. Then a good piece of advice is to keep it in the refrigerator so it holds this texture unless you’re serving it straight up. Finally, you add some of the ingredients that we mentioned are OK for dogs to eat.
The Bottom Line
Whipped cream is super for most dogs, but it’s best to make sure they are heavily lactose intolerant, or you’ll have to deal with diarrhea and vomit – among other symptoms. And of course, it won’t be a pleasant experience for your dog if dairy doesn’t agree with them.
Ensure that they only get a small amount of cream and only serve it to them occasionally as a special treat. Once a week or even less often is about right for serving up this creamy snack.
And we really do recommend making your own Puppuccinos! Your dog will love it, and they can drink alongside you as you slurp on a cup of joe.
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