Even though there is nothing essentially dangerous in whipped cream, that doesn’t mean whipped cream or other dairy products necessarily agree with your dog.

This sweet treat may contain some vitamins and minerals, but they are very small amounts. Depending on the taste, brand, and specific recipe of the whipped cream, it still contains a lot of sugar and fat that can not only harm your dog but lead to diabetes, obesity, and dental problems over time.

Because whipped cream is a dairy product it can cause your dog to experience lactose intolerance, which is more common in small dog breeds. Even some adult dogs can have lactose intolerance that may be triggered when they have too much whipped cream.

Most vets recommend not giving your dog whipped cream on a regular basis. However, it is safe enough as a treat and reward for desirable behavior, usually during training. You can also offer a little bit for a special occasion like your pup’s birthday.

Does Whipped Cream Provide Any Nutritional Benefits For Dogs?

Whipped cream is about 70% fat and the rest is made up of sugary carbs. Your pup is much better off getting their calories from a quality dog food, than consuming empty calories from whipped cream.

However, there are traces of calcium, vitamin A, and protein in whipped cream, but your dog can also get these nutrients from much better sources.

Here are some reasons not to give your dog whipped cream:

High in Fat – The cream used to make whipped cream is 30-36% fats. This high-fat content can be very unhealthy for dogs and can lead to becoming overweight.

Dairy Allergies – Many dogs are sensitive to lactic acid in dairy products like milk or sour cream to some extent. Some dogs are allergic to dairy (lactose intolerant) and can get sick from eating even a little bit.

Sugar is Harmful – Your dog has no reason to consume sugar. Sugar does not contain any nutritional value and it is known to cause many health issues in dogs. Like humans, dogs can also get addicted to sugary food and crave treats all the time. While regular whipped cream is high in sugar, commercial whipped cream may also contain sugar substitutes like corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup. Both these syrups are just as harmful as sugar, if not more.

Vanilla is Toxic to Dogs – Vanilla extract is 35% alcohol and is usually added to whipped cream. Alcohol, in general, is toxic to dogs. However, the amount of alcohol in the vanilla extract that is used in whipped cream is far too little to cause your dog any harm. If your dog eats too many vanilla-flavored desserts, he may run the risk of alcohol poisoning. Note that this risk is bigger if you have a smaller dog.

How Much Whipped Cream Can I Feed My Dog?

If your dog is having more than an occasional treat then it’s probably too much. Whipped cream should not be a part of your dog’s regular diet and is not even recommended once a week.

Foods or treats with little nutritional value, like whipped cream, should only be fed to your dog in small amounts and not on a regular basis. A good rule of thumb (or paw) is to give your dog a portion of whipped cream no larger than one of their paws.

Because it is a light and airy texture, it’s easy for the amount of whip cream your dog eats to add up. A medium-sized dog weighing around 30 pounds needs about 14 grams of fat per day. One cup of pressurized whipped cream from a can offers just over 13 grams of fat, which is your dog’s fat intake for the day. What seemed like a harmless treat can start to cause negative health effects if constantly served.

Try Homemade Whipped Cream

You can make your pup a healthier version of whipped cream with less fat and sugar content. This is a quick and easy recipe and will take you less than five minutes to make.

You start with heavy cream but make sure it has little to no sugar, and very low fat content. Just whip it up until it is fluffy and serve it to your dog. It may not be the sweet treat us humans like but your dog won’t even notice.

Final Thoughts

While most animal health experts say that it is safe for dogs to have whipped cream type treats on occasion, it is probably better they stay away from the saturated fat and sugar . If your dog is lactose intolerant, whipped cream maybe bad and cause an upset stomach. It is best if the whipped cream you serve your dog is the stuff you make yourself.