You probably have seen in movies or cartoons people giving kitties milk to drink. You may have even fed your kitten milk because that’s what they taught you. So, when you make a cake and open the whipped cream you think about giving your cat some. But, is dairy good for felines? Is whip cream bad for cats?
Even though we love whip cream in our coffees, hot chocolate, pies, and cakes, it doesn’t mean we have to share it with our beloved cats. Although we may think sharing our food with our pets is our way of showing them love, sometimes this can cause a lot of harm to our furry friends.
If you want to find out the answer to the question “Is whip cream bad for cats?”, and what other food you shouldn’t feed your feline friend, continue reading our content below.
What Can Cats Not Eat?
Felines have different digestive systems than humans. What is good and harmless for us, may be quite toxic for your furry friend.
That Chocolate Bar May Be Tasty but Isn’t Meant for Your Kitty
You can enjoy your chocolate treat, but avoid sharing it with your cat. Caffeine and theobromine are two ingredients that can be hazardous to your cat, and they are present in chocolates. If your furry ball of love ingests chocolate and you notice symptoms such as vomit, increased body temperature, or diarrhea immediately take it to the vet.
High quantities of these two ingredients can trigger coma or heart failure in felines.
Onion and Garlic May Make Meals More Delicious, but Cats Don’t Need Them
It doesn’t matter if you cook them, or you serve them raw, garlic, onion, and the rest of the allium family (chives, leeks) can damage your cat’s red blood cells and cause anemia.
Yes, Cats Love Hunting, but Raw Eggs and Fish Aren’t Recommended
You may assume that raw fish and eggs are safe for felines since in the wild they hunt and eat their prey right away, without it being cooked obviously. However, consuming these raw products can be fatal for your cat because they contain pathogens that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
Dog Food Is for…Well Dogs
My cat occasionally samples my dog’s food. And, there is no harm if that happens from time to time, and it isn’t a big quantity. However, if you substitute your cat food with dog food, you are risking your kitty being malnourished. All essential nutrients that felines need are not present in food for canines.
Bread Is OK Periodically, but…
Many people mix bread with milk or chicken broth and feed their cats. While bread is safe for cats if it isn’t given frequently, it has no nutritional value for our furry friends.
And the Dairy Products
Although your cat may enjoy drinking milk or nibbling from your piece of cheese, most felines are actually lactose intolerant. This means that dairy can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Is Whip Cream Bad for Cats?
We mentioned above that dairy products are not very friendly to our furry companions. While a small amount of whipped cream from time to time won’t do any harm, frequently snacking on it can cause abdominal discomfort in your cat.
Furthermore, as previously written, most cats are lactose intolerant, and whipped cream contains lactose. So, imagine what will happen if a lactose intolerant person consumes dairy. Why would it be any different for a feline?
In addition, artificial sweeteners, sugar, corn syrup, and other additives are part of the ingredients in whip cream. Some of them are carcinogenic and can be quite harmful to your kitty. Sugar can cause excessive weight gain which can lead to obesity and diabetes.
What Happens When a Cat Eats Whip Cream?
If your feline friend ingests a small amount of whip cream, don’t worry about it. It will probably get a little gassy for several hours, but keep an eye on the little one. If you notice something out of the ordinary happening with the little ball fur, contact a veterinarian.
Moreover, frequent consumption of whip cream in larger quantities is not very safe for your cat’s health. Even if your feline friend is not lactose intolerant, whip cream has other ingredients that can be quite harmful to your cat’s digestive system.
The sugar contained in whipped cream causes vomiting, discomfort, and dental problems in cats. In relation, this is not an ingredient that cats would naturally consume, so their bodies don’t react well to it.
Also, corn syrup, which is another ingredient in whipped cream, will act the same as sugar in your cat’s system. If your cat suffers from diabetes, whipped cream is not going to be a good snack option.
Why Is Cream Bad for Cats?
Heavy cream is another dairy product that some cat parents tend to give to their pets. Although it won’t be harmful if your cat drinks some cream on occasion, it is still a dairy product and it can trigger stomach issues, and cause diarrhea and/or vomiting.
The cream is potentially harmful to kittens as well as to seniors. There is nothing better than mother’s milk for kittens. Cream and milk don’t have the same nutrients and the right amount of protein and fat for nourishing a kitten. In addition, there are commercial milk replacers that you can feed your kitten, in case cat mama is not around.
When it comes to liquids it is always better to go for good old-fashioned water. Your kitty must have access to fresh and clean water throughout the entire day. Hydration is crucial for a cat’s growth, development, and health.
To Conclude: Is Whip Cream Bad for Cats?
Whip cream doesn’t contain the necessary nutrients for cats. It doesn’t provide enough protein, and it contains sugar which can be very harmful to felines. If your cat accidentally ingests a small amount of whip cream, you don’t need to stress about it. But, always be observant in case something happens, so you can react on time.
Cats are carnivores and whip cream or other dairy products can’t substitute meat. Although it isn’t bad if your feline friend licks a bit of whip cream off your finger, feeding it whip cream is not the best option for your cat’s health.