Whipped cream is a beloved treat among humans because of its light, airy texture and sweet flavor. It’s perfect for topping off a delicious dessert, adding sweetness to a cup of coffee, or making a fruit salad extra special.
It’s also a great way to make a dish look more appealing and inviting. But, can cats have whipped cream?
Just like all the other foods that we intend to give our cats, we wonder if whipped cream is good for them. This is similar to asking, can cats eat BBQ sauce?
Our hesitation to give our cats everything we find delicious and healthy is a good thing. It means we truly care for them and we do not want to be careless cat owners.
Can cats have ranch? It’s easy to assume the answers to questions like this, but if you don’t get to the nitty-gritty of it, you can put your cat’s life in danger.
So, whatever questions you have regarding proper food and care for your felines, ask away!
- Why Are Cats So Fond of Ranch Dressing?
- What Is in the Ranch?
- What Happens If My Cat Accidentally Eats Ranch?
- How Much Ranch Is Too Much For Cats?
- Are there Any Alternatives to Ranch Dressing?
- What Foods Are Appropriate for Cats?
- FAQs to Prevent Any Cat-astrophe
- Can Cats Have Salad Dressing?
- What About Tuna With Ranch Seasoning?
- Conclusion
Whipped Cream and Its Dietary Facts
Whipped cream, no matter how delicious it appears, is not the best food to take even for humans. Though it is rich in healthy fat, minerals, and vitamins, it is very high in calories. They are meant to be consumed in small proportions only.
So, if humans need to take precautions in consuming this oh-so-delicious cream, strict measurement must be applied to cats even more. Here’s a table with the nutritional info of whipped cream:
| Calories 52 | % Daily Value* |
| Total Fat 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 21mg | 7% |
| Sodium 6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Sugar 0g | |
| Protein 0g | 0% |
| *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. | |
| Vitamin C | 0% |
| Iron | 0% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0% |
| Magnesium | 0% |
| Calcium | 1% |
| Vitamin D | 0% |
| Cobalamin | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 4% |
Well, not everyone understands this boring table. However, if we take a closer look, there are no essential nutrients that cats can get from whipped cream. There isn’t a unique component that can add value to their health.
5 Reasons Why Cats Can’t Have Whipped Cream
Aside from the fact that there is no nutritional value that cats can get from ingesting whipped cream, here are more reasons to avoid feeding them to your cats.
#1 – Vanilla Extract
A minimum of 35% ethyl alcohol is present in vanilla extract. It is not good for cats as it may cause alcohol poisoning. Cats should not be given alcohol or any food that has alcohol in it as it can result in alcohol toxicity.
Here are the signs that your cat may have ingested food with alcohol;
- Slow reflexes
- Slow breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Heart attack
- Low body temperature
- Depression or excitement
- Depressed central nervous system
- Involuntary urinating or defecating
#2 – Lactose
One thing to take note of is that cats are lactose intolerant. Contrary to most of the TV shows we have seen in our early childhood days, cats cannot have milk.
Cats do not have an enzyme called lactase which is needed to break down lactose.
Another thing, lactose is a form of sugar and when it breaks down, it ferments because of the presence of bacteria found in the stomach. This results in gas and sugar alcohol, causing flatulence and pain.
This is true in both humans and cats. So, it is best that you tone down your whipped cream intake for you and your kitten to avoid these undesirable conditions.
The following are a few of the signs of lactose intolerance in cats:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Bloating
- Excessive Gas
- Abdominal Discomfort
#3 – Xylitol
Xylitol is a chemical compound used as an artificial sweetener by most whipped cream manufacturers.
Though xylitol is known to be toxic to dogs, it is not toxic to cats. However, too much consumption of this is still dangerous to your cat’s health.
Here are the symptoms of cats with Xylitol poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Trembling
- Seizures
- Weakness
- Liver damage
- Low blood sugar
#4 – Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas is present in premade whipped creams that
come in containers. They are used as a propellant and a preservative, and if taken by your cats in large quantities, can cause health issues.
#5 – Carrageenan
Carrageenan is a food additive commonly used for human foods. It is present in whipped cream as a thickening and preserving element.
Most of the pet food containing Carrageenan have been phased out due to its carcinogens and harmful effects on animals, especially cats. When your cats ingest Carrageenan, it may cause them to experience liver and colon inflammation.
It is also best to mention that cats cannot taste sweets. They do not have the same taste receptors as human beings. The only reason why they are attracted to whipped cream is that they can sense the fat and the proteins in the cream.
Since cats do not have the ability to taste sweets, there is no joy in giving them these delicious treats.
They are only able to appreciate the fat and the protein from it. If we are feeding our cats thinking we can make them feel the way we do when eating sweets, this scientific fact only defeats the purpose.
The good news is now that you know this, you can refrain from treating them with sugary treats.
We not only aim to avoid feeding them unhealthy food but we also want to prevent them from being exposed to possible harm. Maybe we have to remind ourselves the next time we think about feeding them the same food we enjoy.
What Happens When a Cat Consumes Whipped Cream?
While whipped cream is not exactly toxic to cats, some of the ingredients in it are. If you find your cat consuming whipped cream, observe if there are notable changes in its behavior.
Check if your cat shows any signs of allergic reactions or poisoning.
If it is only a small amount, the worst thing that can happen to your cat is for it to get gassier than usual and get an upset stomach.
You don’t have to worry too much, because there might not be a need for you to get to a vet since these symptoms will gradually subside.
However, if your cat has an extra sensitive tummy, vomiting and diarrhea will take place. If these issues last for more than two hours, you can rush to the vet and have your cat checked and prescribed proper medication.
How Much Whipped Cream Can A Cat Consume?
The best answer for this is to not feed your cats any whipped cream at all.
However, if it is really something that you want your cats to taste, a few tablespoons of this fluffy goodness a week should be okay for your cat to consume. That means, not more than 1 tablespoon a day and definitely not to be given daily.
Are There Any Alternatives to Whipped Cream?
While everyone thinks whipped cream is a great treat for cats, I think we have already established enough reasons not to give it to them in generous amounts. So, what are other alternatives instead?
1. Fish
Throw in some mackerel, salmon, and tuna as treats for your cats. They are a great source of protein and are no doubt delicious treats that your cats can definitely enjoy.
You just have to exclude all the seasonings to avoid possible health problems.
2. Meat
Chicken, beef, and pork meats can be great treats as well. While your cat can enjoy eating these meats raw, it is still better to cook them so you can be sure that there is no pathogen in them that may harm your cats.
Again, avoid using seasoning when cooking meats for your cats. Also, avoid serving them any processed food.
3. Other Cheese
This may raise a few eyebrows but hear me out! There are other cheeses that have been processed to remove the lactose in them.
So, they can still be considered a decent treat for your cats. You just have to check them strictly, and seldom turn to them as your cat’s food choice.
4. Cooked Eggs
Yes, cooked eggs can be a delicious snack for your cat. It is high in protein and low in other harmful ingredients for your cats. You just have to make sure that they are properly cooked and have no added salt or spices.
What Other Dairy Foods Are Not Safe for Cats?
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
These dairy products are not safe for cats as they contain milk. Again, cats are lactose intolerant, and feeding your cats these foods will result in them having upset stomachs.
FAQs: The Purrr-fect Answers
Can Cats Have a Puppuccino?
No. Puppuccino is similar to whipped cream and is not recommended for cats to eat.
While you might see a lot of dog videos enjoying their cup of puppuccino at Starbucks, your cats, unfortunately, cannot enjoy the same.
When you plan on running for a cup of coffee, get your cat a different treat instead, perhaps dried chicken.
Is It Safe To Feed Canned Whipped Cream to Cats?
No. Canned whipped cream is still whipped cream and should not be fed to cats. Canned whipped creams are even more dangerous as they have more additives and preservatives in them that can be more dangerous to cats.
Is There Any Benefit Of Giving Whipped Cream To Your Cat?
No. There is no benefit in giving whipped cream to your cat.
Aside from not having any nutritional benefits, whipped creams have dangerous ingredients such as vanilla extract that is made out of 34% alcohol and can be immensely harmful to your cats.
In addition, feeding your cat with whipped cream only increases its caloric intake which we don’t recommended as it will result in cat obesity.
Can Kitties Eat Whipped Cream?
No. Cats, especially kittens should not be given whipped cream. Kittens’ stomachs can be very sensitive to lactose. This may result in them having upset stomachs.
Since it is already dangerous to serve whipped cream to adult cats, it is more unsafe to serve it to little kittens.
Their digestive system may not be fully developed yet. They may not be able to recover from the effects of lactose in their system.
Conclusion
Whipped cream is nothing but a fancy food without any nutritional benefits to both humans and cats.
It has a lot of ingredients that are known to be harmful especially to your furry friends. So, it is best to avoid feeding your felines with them. Opt for other healthier options instead.
For those who really want their cats to taste a small amount of whipped cream as an occasional treat, expect an unusual increase in gas or a few stomach upset experiences after.
These might not permanently hurt your kittens, but you better be prepared with the needed medications and processes to aid them when these issues arise.
You should, however, not in any way, give whipped cream to a cat that is obese or diagnosed with diabetes as it can only worsen the cat’s health problems.
We also have similar topics that answer questions like, can cats lick ketchup? Head on to the article and find the best answers.
