Cup of cool whip

Can Dogs Have Cool Whip? Is There A Better Alternative?

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People often use Cool Whip as a sweet topping on their desserts. And some want to share it with their dogs. But can dogs have Cool Whip?

Cool Whip is not recommended for dogs. It has elevated sugar content which may result in significant health concerns, including the risk of diabetes. However, there are excellent substitute options available for your furry friend.

What exactly is Cool Whip, and what are its primary ingredients?

This brand of whipped cream was made by Kraft Heinz. “Cool Whip is launched in 1966 as an alternative to homemade whipped cream”, says the company. People add it as a topping to their desserts and pies.

The key components of this whipped topping include heavy cream and sugar. Vanilla extract is added to enhance the taste. It also contains stuff like water and high fructose corn syrup. Additional preservatives are also present. 

What are the potential dangers associated with feeding Cool Whip to dogs?

Cool Whip is not safe for dogs and that is why it should be avoided. And there are a few reasons for this.

Digestive issues

This delicious treat is not dairy-free. This can be a problem for dogs that have lactose intolerance. This is a condition in which digestive problems occur after a dog eats something that has lactose. “The signs include diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal discomfort after ingesting cow’s or goat’s milk.”, says Dr. Krista Williams. Unfortunately, there isn’t a non dairy whipped cream that avoids this complication. Although light whipped cream may decrease the severity of symptoms.

Risk of obesity

Unfortunately, Cool Whip contains a lot of calories and saturated fat which leads to dogs gaining weight. Eating it consistently for a long time can cause the serious condition of obesity to occur. Dr. Jennifer Grota describes it as such:

Obesity can be defined as an excess accumulation of body fat that contributes to disease. Dogs that weigh at least 10% above their ideal body weight are considered overweight, while dogs weighing 20% more than ideal are considered obese.

The obese dog can develop further complications with its cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Kidney diseases and arthritis also have a higher chance of appearing due to obesity.

High amounts of sugar

Cool Whip is harmful to dogs because it contains a lot of added sugar that can cause harm. For one, sugar can be really bad for the teeth. Dogs can suffer from cavities if their teeth are not cleaned after eating sweets. Eating lots of sugar for a long amount of time can lead to the dog developing diabetes. The Blue Cross organization explains this disease as such:

When dogs suffer from canine diabetes, their pancreas doesn’t produce any – or not enough – insulin, or their body has an inadequate response to the hormone. Insulin is needed to absorb glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream after eating and transport it to cells around the body to enable them to thrive and grow.

Dogs suffering from diabetes will need to drink more water and eat more food. They will also pee a lot more than a normal dog would. In time, other health issues will also occur. There is a sugar free Cool Whip out there that avoids this drawback of the sweetened whipped cream. 

Additional ingredients

Some whipped cream products contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener. This ingredient is really toxic for the dogs health and has high dog poisoning risks. Some symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting and seizures. There is also whipped cream on the market that has chocolate inside which is really bad for dogs. Luckily, Cool Whip contains none of these things.

How can Cool Whip be safely served to dogs?

Even though Cool Whip can harm dogs, you can offer it in really small quantities if you decide to do so. Giving it on really special occasions like birthdays can be fine as long as you are careful. Just remember that some dogs don’t know when to stop eating, so figure out the amount you give beforehand.

You have to watch out for any signs of intolerance. If you do see your dog developing these, then it’s best to avoid offering the food in the future. Make sure you choose the plain version of Cool Whip and carefully read the ingredient list for anything that may cause toxicity in dogs. Be very careful not to include any other sweet toppings that can be bad for dogs.

What to do if your dog eats Cool Whip on accident?

When you notice your dog eating this sweet treat, you should stay calm and remove it from its vicinity to stop it from eating more. Then, you have to find out how much it had to eat.

Monitor your dog for a while to see if any symptoms appear instantly. Then, knowing the intricacies of Cool Whip safety for dogs, the best thing you can do is to ask for veterinary advice. Give them all the information about the situation as well as the breed, size, and age of your dog. Then, they will tell you what to do next. If needed, they will ask you to bring your dog to their office for treatment.

In the future, train your dog to not eat anything left around the house. If your dog does not listen to you, then you can hire a professional dog trainer. Also, you should put all the Cool Whip you have in a place inaccessible to your pup. This can be a high shelf or the fridge if it’s well secured. If you are throwing food out, make sure your trashcan is closed properly and your dog can’t get to the leftovers.

Are there safe and healthy alternatives to Cool Whip?

One safe topping for dogs is coconut whipped cream. It’s made with canned coconut milk which is thicker and easier to whip. This drink is dairy-free and that makes it perfect for dogs with lactose intolerance. A similar thing can be said for oat and almond milk whipped cream. Any other vegan whipped cream can be fine to feed.

Products similar to Cool Whip, like Reddi Wip are not recommended as substitutes because they have a similar ingredient list.

Can owners prepare homemade Cool Whip for dogs?

Yes, there is a simple recipe for giving your dog whipped cream that has only safe ingredients. To make it you need plain Greek yogurt and a banana. The banana can also be switched with unsweetened applesauce if you wish. Both are appropriate snacks for dogs. You can also use sour cream and peanut butter which are better for the dogs stomach.

Add both ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend them until smooth and creamy. You can also add a bit of honey for taste, but use it sparingly. Once the mixture is made, you can add it to a container and put it in the fridge. You can give small amounts to your pup whenever you feel like giving it an occasional treat.

To sum it up – Can dogs have Cool Whip?

According to the dog dietary guidelines, it is not recommended to feed this whipping cream to your dog. This delicious dairy product can be bad for dogs that can’t process lactose. You will often see gastrointestinal issues in dogs after eating the whip.

Another bad result of this treat is the high calories which lead to dogs gaining weight. Then, sugar is also a big part of the ingredient list and it is responsible for diabetes in dogs.

If you do want to give it to your dog, you can in really small amounts. A better thing you can do is to make your own whipped cream with ingredients you know are safe for your pup. Always consult with your veterinarian before adding new foods to your dogs diet.

FAQ

Are there any other desserts that are safe for dogs to eat?

Dogs can eat Rice Krispie Treats in very small quantities so they are a possible treat. However, the best type of dog-friendly dessert is fruit. Bananas and blueberries are a great homemade dog dessert to give as fresh or frozen.

Can dogs eat ice cream?

Being some of the best human food out there, it does not have a place on the best dog food list. This is because ice cream has all of the traits that make plain whipped cream bad.

Is Cool Whip safe for puppies?

Even though adult dogs can have Cool Whip in very small amounts, younger pups should avoid it altogether. Their bodies are not as resilient and they will react worse to the toxic components.

Can dogs have the Puppuccino?

Yes, the Starbucks Puppuccino is specifically designed for them. It’s essentially an espresso pup cup filled with whipped cream safe for dogs. Although safe, you shouldn’t make it a habit for your pup.

More dog nutrition resources

Here are a few other resources talking about giving certain foods to dogs and the effect they have on their health.

You can find a lot more information on the types of food you can feed your dog on our site Dogisa!

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