If there is one thing that gets me going even more than whipped cream would have to be coconut whipped cream. It takes your normal standard whipped cream and infused it with a whole lot more richness and body.
You can easily find coconut whipped cream in stores these days due to the surge in popularity of anything coconut. But I still prefer to have control of the ingredients used. This means that I have to make it at home most of the time, much to the delight of my dog and sometimes, cat.
But can your dog eat coconut whipped cream safely? Coconut whipped cream is generally safe for many dogs. However, you need to make sure that it is only given in very small amounts as a rare sweet treat. Too much coconut whipped cream in your dog’s diet can make your dog fat and cause many underlying health problems.
Let us take a closer look at how coconut whipped cream is made and how safe is it for our dogs.
What Is Coconut Whipped Cream?
The first time I happened to chance upon whipped cream that was infused with coconut was at a party. The host was kind enough to share the recipe and the rest was history.
Here are some of the common ingredients used.
- Coconut cream
- Coconut milk
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
There are two ways to go about making coconut whipped cream.
The first way is to just chill coconut milk or coconut cream in the fridge overnight, scoop the hardened cream behind and then whip it till it’s firm.
The second method is to make your regular homemade whipped cream at home and add in some hardened coconut cream for taste.
You can’t make coconut whipped cream with room temperature coconut cream as it is too liquid to be whipped into a cream.
The whole idea behind making good coconut whip cream is not to come on heavy on the coconut but to have just enough coconut milk or cream in it to tickle your tastebuds.
Just like the wings of an airplane skimming off a layer of fluffy clouds.
There are some pros and cons to both methods which I will explain in the next section.
Is Coconut Whipped Cream Bad For Dogs?
Based on my experience, whipped cream made from coconut milk or cream isn’t necessarily bad for your dog. There are some health benefits that your dog can get from eating coconut.
- Helps with skin inflammation
- Promotes a healthy and shiny coat
- Reduce yeast infections
There are some dog owners who even use coconut oil to treat ear infections in their dogs. Sounds like some wonder ointment to me.
Here are some important things to note when giving your dog coconut whipped cream.
Coconut Whipped Cream Is High In Fat
No matter how you slice it or dice it, anything whipped cream is high in fat.
If you are making pure coconut whipped cream or heavy cream, the fat content can range between 4g- 13g for every 60g (2 oz).
It might seem like much if you are only giving your dog a few tablespoons in a blue moon.
But if your dog is getting this amount every day, the calories will definitely start to add up. The calories from treats should only amount to 5-10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
What happens when you start feeding your dog too much fatty food?
You are going to have one fat dog in your care in no time.
I know, I love spoiling my dog too with sweet treats but when more than 50% of the dogs in America alone are overweight, it is time for us to carefully consider what we are putting in our dog’s mouth.
Too much fat in your dog’s diet can cause:
- Diabetes
- Joint problems
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
Most living things stand to benefit from having some fat in their diet for a healthy system but it is one macronutrient that is easy to have more than we should.
If you are not sure if your dog is overweight or not, please have the vet take a look.
Coconut Whipped Cream Is High In Sugar
Have you ever eaten whipped cream that isn’t sweet? I know, it doesn’t taste that great. Most commercially made whipped cream contains a high content of sugar in them.
Ingesting too much sugar at one time can really mess up your dog’s sugar levels. It feels the same when we eat a whole bar of chocolate, only to feel like crap a few hours later.
A high sugar content in your dog’s diet can also lead to the same health problems as having too much fat.
Unlike fats which are essential to our diet, there actually isn’t a need for sugar in your dog’s diet.
In fact, a dog’s digestive system isn’t very effective when it comes to digesting carbohydrates and sugary treats.
Pure Coconut Whipped Cream Is Dairy-Free
One good thing about whipped cream that is made purely from coconut cream or milk is that it is dairy-free.
Not many dog owners are aware that most of our dogs are lactose intolerant and feeding them dairy products like milk, butter, cheese and whipped cream can upset their digestive system.
This can lead to:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Itchy skin
- Bloatedness
- Flatulence
Trust me when I say that you really don’t want to be having a dog who is having explosive diarrhea and being a fart machine on four legs.
It happened a few times when someone in the family left a glass of milk unattended only to find the glass empty after a few minutes.
My dog is that stealthy.
What Type Of Whipped Cream Is Safe for Dogs?
I would think that the majority of whipped creams are safe for your dog’s consumption.
Just make sure to not feed your dog whipped cream that contains any artificial flavoring or ingredients like chocolate, garlic and grape.
NEVER ever feed your dog any whipped cream that contains artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners contain a chemical called Xylitol.
When ingested by our dog or cat, it can cause their sugar levels to drop drastically and cause them to become unconscious.
In more severe cases, Xylitol can even be life-threatening to your dog.
Frequently Asked Question
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Whipped Cream?
Whipped cream for dogs in general is safe as an occasional treat.
When feeding your dog commercial whipped cream, give the ingredients label a once-over to make sure that there are no added toxic ingredients that can harm your dog.
I would prefer if you made your own dog-friendly whipped cream at home for your own pooch. It is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients.
How Much Whipped Cream Can I Feed My Dog?
Treats that you fed your dog should not exceed more than 5-10% of your dog’s diet. If your dog’s daily diet is 300 calories, then the treats should not be more than 30 calories.
There’s more leeway for larger dog breeds as compared to puppies or smaller dog breeds.
When dogs eat whipped cream, it is very easy for them to overdose on it since it tastes sweet and goes down easily.
I would only feed my dog one tablespoon of coconut whipped cream once or twice a week.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Cream?
Most dogs can have some coconut cream without upsetting their digestive systems.
Coconut cream is a thick cream that is made from coconut milk and is used in cooking and baking.
Do note that coconut cream contains a light amount of fat and sugar so do not overfeed your dog.
Can Dogs Have Whipped Cream From Starbucks?
Starbucks has been giving away whipped cream for dogs called Puppuccino. It is basically whipped cream served in an espresso cup that you can get for free for your dog.
Given that it is just plain whipped cream served in a small cup, it is safe for most dogs.
But if your dog has diabetes or is very lactose intolerant, it is best to not give your dog such treats.