Your four-legged friend loves eating the same foods you do, but not all human food is safe or healthy for your pup. That’s why it’s essential to know exactly what is safe to feed your dog before doing it. If you’re a Starbucks fan, you probably know Starbucks has a doggie treat called the Puppuccino, which is a small cup of whipped cream. Giving your dog whipped cream from Starbucks might have you wondering whether you can give them some Cool Whip from your fridge.
Can dogs eat Cool Whip? Well, whipped cream and Cool Whip aren’t precisely the same thing. And while Cool Whip (the non-sugar-free version) isn’t toxic to canines, it’s definitely not the healthiest treat to give your pup. Here’s what you should know.
What Is Cool Whip?
You might have spent your life thinking Cool Whip is whipped cream, but it’s technically a whipped topping. Created in 1966, this tasty treat was developed as an alternative to whipped cream, as actually whipping cream takes some time (and muscle). It was billed as a strength and time-saver for busy at-home cooks who didn’t have time to waste on making whipped cream. And unlike real whipped cream, Cool Whip could be saved for longer and even frozen.
The Difference Between Cool Whip and Whipped Cream
If Cool Whip is an alternative version of whipped cream, how is it different? Well, in its original incarnation, Cool Whip actually didn’t have any milk or cream! These days, it does contain just a hint of milk and light cream, but it also contains other ingredients, like high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, hydrogenated vegetable oil, artificial colors, and gums.
In contrast, whipped cream is just that—heavy cream that has been whipped. Sometimes, home cooks will add a tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar or even flavors, like vanilla extract, chocolate, or coffee. But in its simplest version, whipped cream is just cream that’s been whipped until fluffy and delicious.
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Cool Whip?
As you can see, there are several differences between Cool Whip and whipped cream, and those differences are all the added stuff Cool Whip contains. While regular Cool Whip isn’t toxic to canines, the high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and dairy aren’t healthy for them at all. And if you’re venturing into sugar-free Cool Whip, you could be headed into extreme stomach upset territory.
Dangers of Feeding Cool Whip to Dogs
While your pup will be fine if they manage to sneak a lick or two of Cool Whip, giving it as a treat on a regular basis may harm your dog.
The main danger of feeding Cool Whip to your dog is the high-fructose corn syrup. This ingredient is just sugar (so much sugar!), and sugar isn’t something your pup needs to consume often. Just like us, if a dog eats too much sugar regularly, you could see them begin to pack on the pounds. Weight gain could lead to health problems, including diabetes, digestive issues, and metabolic changes. So, it’s best that your dog doesn’t consume sugar often.
The next problematic ingredient in Cool Whip is hydrogenated vegetable oil. Oil equals fat, and consuming too much fat also leads to weight gain, which in turn leads to health issues. Too much fat in the diet could also lead to pancreatitis, which is a serious and painful condition. Hydrogenated vegetable oil contains a lot of trans fats, in particular, which aren’t healthy for anyone and can cause inflammation.
Finally, though Cool Whip only contains a small amount of milk and cream these days, dairy still isn’t suitable for some dogs, as many pups are lactose intolerant. A small amount probably won’t hurt them, but larger amounts could cause stomach upset.
Again, none of these ingredients are toxic, but they can certainly be harmful in the long run for your pet!
Sugar-Free Cool Whip
Sugar isn’t the best for your canine companion, but artificial sweeteners may be even worse. While some artificial sweeteners aren’t toxic to canines, the majority of them can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs. However, xylitol is very toxic to canines even in small amounts, and should be avoided at all costs.
Luckily, the zero-sugar version of Cool Whip contains aspartame, which isn’t toxic but certainly isn’t healthy for pups and may upset their stomach immensely. If your dog has got into any sugar-free products it’s always best to double-check the ingredients list though to make sure xylitol isn’t on there and seek veterinary attention straight away if it is.
Conclusion
If your favorite four-legged pal got into the Cool Whip and had a lick or two, they should be perfectly fine. However, giving this food to your dog on a regular basis isn’t advisable as it contains way too much sugar and fat for dogs. You should also avoid the sugar-free version of Cool Whip, as it contains aspartame, which can greatly upset a dog’s stomach. If you want to give your pup a treat, stick with the ones made specifically for dogs; we promise they won’t know the difference. They’ll just be thrilled to have a tasty snack!
Featured Image Credit: MaraZe, Shutterstock