Can Cats Eat Whipped Cream?

If you are a cat parent then you know that cats are very persistent in their endeavors to eat whatever they see you with. Whipped cream is easily one of the most known toppings when it comes to cakes, pies, cupcakes, and many other delicious favorites. It’s a light addition to any snack and can be used as a snack itself. With that being said, can cats eat whipped cream? Is whipped cream safe for our pet friends to eat?

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Can Cats Eat Whipped Cream?

Can cats eat whipped cream? In short: No, cats should not eat whipped cream. Whipped cream is made by mixing cream, vanilla extract, and a little bit of sugar. (Which is optional). Whipped cream is a dairy product and dairy products can be dangerous to cats.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and Greek yogurt are known to cause many digestive problems in cats. It is also high in fat, which is not optimal for your cat’s diet. The majority of adult cats are lactose intolerant and cannot properly digest dairy products. As cats age, they lose the ability to digest lactose. This can result in dairy products such as whipped cream to make your cats have symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, and abdominal pain. 

 Lactose Intolerance In Cats

As cats grow they start to lose the enzymes known as lactase. These lactase enzymes are what make it able for cats to be able to break down lactose. Which, is found in dairy products, such as whipped cream, milk, and ice cream. Kittens will feed on the milk of their mothers when they are young, but as they grow this process begins to be unnecessary. The production of lactase enzymes comes to a halt. Cats are obligate carnivores and can get all of their necessary nutrients in a diet full of meat. 

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

Without the lactase enzymes, lactose and sugar will not be properly digested through your cat’s system. Meaning, there can be some harmful and not so pleasant symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stomach Ache
• Flatulence

Without lactase, the sugars will not be able to disintegrate into small molecules which cause the problem in the cat’s stomach, and sometimes diarrhea can occur. So, the answer to the question “is whipped cream safe for cats?” is no. You should avoid giving your cat whipped cream.

However, some cats are able to digest dairy products just fine, the majority being kittens. If your cat ever was to get into the whipped cream, then they should be fine after a couple of hours. This is if they experience any symptoms of lactose intolerance at all. 

Although your cat may be a fan of whipped cream, there is an idiom such as too much of a good thing. Just because they were fine eating whipped cream once, or even a couple of times does not mean that each time will end in their favor. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration. 

In Short

 More than likely they will be fine if they ingested a small amount. Although, giving your cat whipped cream should not be made into a habit. Many people give their cat whipped cream without noticing the small side effects that may come with it, such as flatulence. Whipped cream can also contain added sweeteners and sugars that can be potentially harmful to your cat. If you are still wondering if cats can eat whipped cream, there are many substitutions to giving your cat whipped cream if they would like a tasty light treat.