If you’re a fan of iced coffee, having a frappuccino with loads of whipped cream from Starbucks might be a daily treat. And if your cat is always by your side, it may be tempting to give them a cup of creamy, rich, and swirly goodness of whipped cream. However, before you do, you need to know whether it’s okay to give your feline friend a treat from the famous coffee shop. So can cats have whipped cream from Starbucks?
The answer is yes, cats can have a taste of whipped cream from Starbucks, but the more important question is, should they?
Is it Okay to Feed Whipped Cream to Your Cat?
Whipped cream from Starbucks contains heavy whipped cream and vanilla extract. While your cat won’t have any problems from having a taste or lick of whipped cream, you probably shouldn’t feed it to them as a treat. Giving your kitty a taste is okay, but feeding it to them is not. This is because the ingredients in whipped cream can cause health problems in your cat.
Whipped cream contains dairy, which is not good for cats. Contrary to what most popular media show of images of cats, felines are actually lactose intolerant and don’t take dairy well. Their digestive systems are not equipped to handle dairy, and therefore, will suffer a few digestive issues when they consume large amounts of dairy.
Here is an example of a list of ingredients typically found in whipped cream:
- Dairy cream
- Water
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Vanilla extract
- Nonfat milk
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Carrageenan
Considering these ingredients are most commonly found in typical whipped cream, it’s safe to say it’s not the best thing to give to your cat.
Why Cats Shouldn’t Have Whipped Cream
We’ve mentioned that cats can have a lick of whipped cream but just because it’s okay for cats to taste it, doesn’t mean they should. Here are the reasons why:
Cats are Lactose Intolerant
Not all cats are lactose intolerant, but most cats are. While kittens have the enzyme that breaks down lactose, as soon as they wean from drinking milk from their mother, they lose this enzyme and become lactose intolerant. This explains why adult cats shouldn’t drink milk as undigested milk can create excess gas in the stomach, leading to upset stomach, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Dehydration is a major problem when cats have diarrhea and it can even be fatal.
Whipped Cream Contains Sugar
Did you know that cats don’t have taste receptors for sugar? Yes, they don’t taste sweet food, so if you love the taste of whipped cream for its sweetness, cats won’t appreciate its flavor. If cats love treating themselves to whipped cream, they might like it for its smooth and creamy texture and not its taste.
Too much sugar consumption in cats is also risky, as it contributes to weight gain, which may lead to obesity. Obesity in cats is a major problem because it leads to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart problems that are common in cats.
Whipped Cream is High in Calories
Cats have daily caloric needs that are only met with protein. No matter how much fruit or other foods you give your cat, they will only get proper nutrition from protein or meat-based food. This is because cats are obligate carnivores. They don’t need fruits or vegetables or snacks in their diet – they only get nutrition from meat. If you feed your cat large amounts of whipped cream, not only will they suffer from digestive issues, but it could lead to malnutrition.
When they’ve consumed large amounts of calories, they won’t feed on protein anymore because they’re full. When they don’t eat their cat food or protein-rich food, they will lack the necessary nutrients they need for that day, which can increase their risk for malnutrition.
Vanilla Can Cause Problems
Most whipped cream, especially those from Starbucks, contain vanilla extract. Vanilla is harmless to humans but large amounts consumed by cats can cause health problems. This is because vanilla contains alcohol, and even if it’s in small amounts, a cat’s body is small enough to detect it. Alcohol is bad for cats because it can cause acute liver problems or even ethanol poisoning.
The amount of ethanol is so small in vanilla that it’s okay for humans but harmful for cats. If your cat has consumed large amounts of vanilla, it can cause vomiting, lethargy, hypothermia, dehydration, and can even be fatal for cats.
Whipped cream is delicious and they look smooth and fluffy that it’s so tempting to give our feline friends a treat, but it’s wise not to give in. Giving them a taste is okay but you probably shouldn’t give it to them as a treat. If you’re going to Starbucks with your pet kitty, it might be a good idea to bring a few cat snacks with you so you won’t be tempted to give your cat a treat of your own food.
Related Questions
Can cats have Puppuccinos from Starbucks?
Puppuccinos or pup cups from Starbucks are usually made for dogs and they contain a dollop of whipped cream in a cup. While they’re a great treat for dogs, they’re not so ideal for cats since adult cats don’t really do so well with lactose products. You can give your cat a taste but you shouldn’t give the whole treat.
Can you give your cat whipped cream from a can?
No, you shouldn’t, even if it’s just a lick. This is because canned whipped cream contains nitrous oxide that aids in the removal of the whipped cream from the can and this can make cats dizzy.
Can you give your cat a sip of your Starbucks coffee?
The answer is no, you shouldn’t. This is because your coffee doesn’t just contain coffee itself, but also has sugar and other ingredients that may be harmful to your cat.
Cats can have whipped cream and they probably won’t die from eating it but they shouldn’t. Cats won’t be able to digest large amounts of whipped cream because of the lactose content and they also won’t be able to taste the sweetness of whipped cream, so there’s no need to give it to cats. There is no nutritional or flavor value, so having your cat a treat of whipped cream is unnecessary.
