Many people enjoy whipped cream as an eating option for dogs, but some believe that it is not healthy to give cats milk products or even plain old cream. Some say that whisked-on cream could get stuck in their oral cavities and choke them down.
Some veterinarians agree! They will tell you that giving your cat milk is actually unhealthy for her and may be the cause of death if she suddenly stops drinking.
However, other experts disagree and feel that leaving out milk is more healthful for your furry friend. Some claim that dry food is healthier than canned foods, so limiting milk to only once per day can help your kitty stay strong and hungry free!
So what’s the truth? Well, it really depends on the individual animal and their nutritional needs. What works for one dog might not work for another, which makes it hard to know whether this theory has solid proof.
But we do have some tips for you to consider when feeding your cat dried food instead of milk. So, let’s talk about that! Read on to learn more about why offering your cat milk is a bad idea and how to make switching off of milk a easy transition.
Why Does Giving Your Cat Milk Make No Sense?
Just like humans, most kittens and adult cats need at least two important nutrients to survive: protein and fat.
Protein helps keep your body functioning properly by providing needed building blocks for growth.
Some cats are not able to process sugar properly
While most dogs enjoy some sweet treats, not every dog is built like their more dessert-loving counterparts. Certain breeds of dogs have special needs when it comes to sweets due to inherited health conditions or genetics.
The same can’t be said about cats! Almost all cat species love nothing but kibble and water!
Some individual cats are actually lactose intolerant which means they don’t have the right enzymes to process milk sugars (like glucose and galactose). These milk products can go bad in your food if you include them in the diet, so many people either use cream as an alternative to butter or substitute it with no added fat.
However, some studies show that eating too much saturated fat — which happens when you eat lots of whipped cream – may cause problems for certain cat diets. This includes potentially raising cholesterol levels and/or changing the hormones in your body.
Too much sugar can cause pancreatitis
As mentioned before, your cat’s pancreas is responsible for digesting and processing food she consumes. When cats eat too many sweets or fat, their body has to work extra hard to process it all.
If you notice your kitty acting lethargic or having trouble moving around her usual self, then take her to the vet right away.
You may also see blood in her stool if she is suffering from digestive issues. If this happens, make an appointment immediately so that she can be checked out by the doctor.
It is very important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible if your kitten is showing signs of pancreatitis. Luckily, there are some simple ways to help prevent this disease in dogs and cats. Read more about what to look out for here!
Hopefully you will never have to face this situation, but just being aware is always helpful.
Some cats are allergic to it
Whilst some people believe that whipped cream is harmful for your cat, this isn’t always the case! Many dogs get their paws onto leftover dessert scraps and ingest some of them, but not much does anything for them.
However, there are times when whisked or melted fat can cause problems for certain individuals. This includes situations where the fat comes into contact with an animal’s skin or they eat it while drinking liquids.
For instance, if your dog eats raw cookie dough then he may have an adverse reaction to the butter in the recipe. He might experience hives and watery eyes as well as vomiting. This is what happened to one individual who was fed baked chocolate chip cookies containing milk.
It is important to be aware of potential food allergies so you can prevent any health issues. Luckily, there are ways to do this. By giving your pet a hypoallergenic diet, changing his/her environment, and ensuring he/she is exposed to only foods that don’t contain allergens, you will help keep him/ her healthy.
By being conscious about which types of fats your cat is eating, you will know whether or not she is sensitive to something. You can also look up potential allergens online.
It can make cats overweight
Many people adore whipped cream as an eating option for dogs, but sadly some humans are not so aware of how harmful that dessert is to our cat friends.
Most veterinarians agree that adding too much sugar to your pet’s diet will result in your dog or cat becoming obese. This is very serious for pets since obesity can cause health issues such as heart disease and diabetes.
Sadly, many owners seem to take great pleasure in creating a fat cat or dog by feeding them lots of sugar.
While it is true that most commercial brands of whipping cream do contain high amounts of carbohydrates, there are ways to use whipped cream to feed your cat without contributing more weight to their body.
Here are three easy tips to help you avoid overfeeding your furry friend.
It can make cats crave more
While most people enjoy whipped cream as an edible texture, some cannot handle the amount of fat it contains. When eating foods that contain large amounts of fats, very young children, teens, or adults with health problems such as diabetes may have a problem processing the glucose and insulin their body produces.
If you are feeding your cat milk instead of food, then they will not be getting enough nutrients and vitamins to stay healthy.
A few drops of heavy whipping cream in their water bowl every day is okay, but if your cat likes much more than that, look into whether or not nutritional changes need to be made.
It’s important to note that even though there are no recommended limits per veterinarian, many experts agree that adding too much sugar to a feline’s diet can pose a risk for obesity.
It can make cats vomit
Many people adore whipped cream as an edible texture and flavor sensation! However, some individuals may not know that whisked cream contains very high levels of acid which are difficult to neutralize in animals’ stomachs.
As humans have more acidic blood than most other mammals, we tend to taste and smell better when using sour foods or liquids. This is because our bodies produce their own natural acid to help us feel balanced.
When an animal eats something with too much acid, they will need to work extra hard to consume enough nutrients and fluids to balance out the chemical compound. If this doesn’t happen, then death usually follows.
Objects such as dried fruits contain large amounts of sugar but little nutritional value, and thus sometimes cause vomiting. Because milk has fat in it, however, it is typically well-tolerated by almost every species.
Whisked cream is made through heavy whipping of sweetened condensed milk; therefore, it contains even MORE sugar than dry plain yogurt! Due to its higher acid content, whipped cream is actually slightly less likely to result in nausea, tremors, and/or diarrhea.
That said, if your cat does become nauseous after eating whipped cream, take them outside immediately so that they can breathe fresh air.
It can make cats crave other junk foods
While most people associate whipped cream with dessert, some believe that it is not healthy for your cat. Many theories exist as to why this may be the case, but none have been confirmed fact.
Some say that when dogs eat too much whipped cream they develop eating habits that transition into them craving junk food like chicken or meat-based snacks.
For example, after eating whipped cream, hungry dogs will sometimes turn and look at other things in the room to see if they can get some of those edible textures and flavors. This usually results in them trying out what we call the “I’m looking for something to eat” behavior.
This habit transfers over to when their owners take them outside to play or let them roam free in an enclosed area. Since they are looking for new tastes, they may decide to go somewhere with lots of smells and ask you whether there is any leftover whipped cream available.
If your dog has this tendency, try keeping it away from them by having them watch their meal while you prepare the next one.
It can be bad for teeth
While most cats love a nice dollop of whipped cream, there are some theories about why it may not agree with their dental health.
Some believe that when dogs eat too much whipped cream, they taste it in their saliva and then try to wash it off by licking their own teeth. This could potentially lead to tooth decay since they have to use your cat’s saliva as an antimicrobial agent to help prevent bacteria from developing into a more serious disease.
For this reason, some say leaving leftover whipped cream out of the reach of your dog is better than letting it go to waste. However, the same theory applies to kitties!
When your furry friend eats whipped cream, they might lick themselves after eating it or even swallow the cream accidentally. Either way, they need to be able to access their oral hygiene tools so they don’t develop any nasty germs or diseases.
Because cats lack true teeth, they rely on lapping up fluids and washing their mouth and tongue using paw swipeings and grooming habits instead. Unfortunately, many dogs who experience gum issues also suffer from dry mouth conditions, which makes performing these actions difficult.
Since cats are less likely to perform those activities, we must ensure that they have access to fresh water and appropriate shelter so that they do not get dehydrated or injured from trying to clean their mouths.
