Is Whipped Cream Safe for Dogs?
Sweet and creamy with its airy texture,
whipped cream is a popular addition to desserts almost everywhere. But as you
know, foods that are perfectly good for humans are not always good food for
dogs. So is whipped cream safe for your dog to eat?
In short yes, dogs can eat whipped cream. But
there are a few rules you must follow to nurture them responsibly.
Whipped Cream Nutrition and Fun Facts
Made with little more than cream, sugar, and the occasional vanilla flavoring, whipped cream is a rich and sweet dessert whose simple ingredient list hides its complex preparation. Originally in 16th century Italy, this milk snow was offered to aristocrats and kings all over the country.
The first recipes for this light and airy dessert appear as early as
1549 in the writings of Cristoforo di Messisbugo. It was named whipped cream
after it was introduced to England in 1673, where it was alternatively known as
snow cream for another 100 years.
With 76% of its calories from fat, 19% from
carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars and only 5% from protein, whipped
cream offers little nutritional value to humans or dogs. Along with small
amounts of calcium and vitamin A, it contains only trace amounts of beneficial
nutrients.
Health Benefits of Whipped Cream for Dogs
Unless your dog is underweight and has trouble
gaining weight, whipped cream offers little or no health benefits. It is
extremely rich and calorie-dense, making it an attractive dessert for food
dogs.
Can Whipped Cream Be Bad for Dogs?
Lactose, the sugar found in all dairy
products, will be difficult for most dogs to digest and can lead to bloating,
gas or diarrhea if given in too much. Additionally, whipped cream is high in
fat and sugar, making it a contributor to canine obesity. For this reason, you
should never make it a regular part of your dog's dietary intake.
How to Feed Whipped Cream to Your Dogs
Whether it's homemade or convenience food,
feeding your dog whipped cream is easy and intuitive. For dogs that enjoy its
sweet and oily taste and airy texture, we recommend using it as an occasional
reward for good behavior. Because many dogs are highly food motivated, whipped
cream can be a valuable tool for training and reinforcing commands.
How Much Whipped Cream Should I Feed My Dog?
Any low-nutrient food, such as whipped cream,
should only be fed to your dog in small quantities and infrequently. A good
rule of thumb is to give your dog a piece of whipped cream no larger than one
of their paws.
Given its airy volume, it's easy to determine the amount of whipped cream your dog eats. A medium-sized dog weighing about 30 pounds needs about 14 grams of fat per day. One cup of pressurized whipped cream in the can contains just over 13 grams of fat, almost maximizing your dog's daily fat intake.
A seemingly harmless reward can have adverse health effects if repeated over and over again.
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