Cream

What is cream?

Cream is the fattiest part of milk. It is obtained by skimming off the rising layer of cream or separated from milk by centrifuging. There are various types of cream, which differ in terms of fat content and processing. The best known are

• Sweet cream or whipping cream: it has a fat content of at least 30 percent and can be whipped into an airy mass. It is often refined with sugar or vanilla.
• Sour cream: This has a fat content of around 10 percent and is acidified by adding lactic acid bacteria. It has a thick consistency and a sour taste.
• Sour cream or crème fraîche: They have a fat content of around 20 to 30 percent and are also acidified by lactic acid bacteria. They are creamier and milder than sour cream.

Cream contains many nutrients that are also important for dogs, such as

• Vitamin A: It is important for eyesight, the immune system and skin health.
• Vitamin B12: It is important for blood formation, nerve function and metabolism.
• Vitamin D: It is important for bone formation, calcium absorption and hormone regulation.
• Iron: It is important for oxygen transport in the blood, energy production and immune defense.
• Magnesium: It is important for muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm and bone metabolism.
• Fat: It is important for energy supply, the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and the formation of hormones.
• Sodium: It is important for regulating the water balance, blood pressure and nerve impulse conduction.
• Protein: It is important for building and maintaining muscles, organs, skin, hair and nails.

Is cream harmful to dogs?

Cream is not fundamentally harmful to dogs, but it is not necessarily healthy either. This is mainly due to two factors: the high fat content and the milk sugar (lactose) it contains.

The high fat content can lead to obesity, digestive problems or even pancreatitis if dogs eat too much cream. Fat can also impair dogs' sense of taste and make them pickier.

The lactose it contains can lead to lactose intolerance if dogs are unable to digest it. This means that they do not produce the enzyme lactase, which is necessary for the breakdown of lactose, or only in small quantities. This results in diarrhea, flatulence or abdominal pain.

Whether a dog is lactose intolerant or not depends on various factors, such as

• The breed: some dog breeds have a higher lactase production than others.
• Age: Puppies usually have more lactase than adult dogs, as they still drink their mother's milk.
• Habituation: Dogs that regularly eat dairy products can get used to lactose and tolerate it better.

How much and how often can dogs eat cream?

If you want to give your dog some cream from time to time as a treat or as an addition to their food, there are a few things you should bear in mind:

• Choose a cream with the lowest possible fat content, for example sour cream or sour cream.
• Only give your dog a small amount, for example one teaspoon per day.
• Observe how your dog reacts to the cream. If he gets diarrhea, bloating or abdominal pain, you should omit or reduce the cream.
• Consider the calories provided by the cream and reduce the amount of normal food if necessary.
• Avoid cream with sugar, vanilla or other additives that may be unhealthy or toxic to dogs.