Every dog owner will tell you how much their four-legged companions love to share food. It’s always fun to see the dog’s eyes light up when you give them chicken or ham.
Dogs can’t eat all foods. These are the foods we cannot give our dogs, no matter how sad they look at us.
Onions and chocolate are two examples. There are other foods you should not feed your dog, however.
This article will address whether your dog can eat sour cream. If this interests you, continue reading!
What is Sour Cream?
Sour cream refers to creams that have been fermented and added bacteria. Sour cream has been a staple in the diet of humans for many, many decades. Sour cream is an essential ingredient that makes food taste great!
Can our dogs also eat it?
Can dogs eat sour cream?
Yes! Yes, dogs can eat sour-cream. Your dog should not be allergic to lactose.
Sour cream should not be used if your dog has a lactose intolerance. But sour cream does not cause any harm to dogs, so they can steal it from you.
This question is more complicated and takes a longer time to answer. Sour cream isn’t a healthy food for dogs, but they can eat it. Before you allow your dog to eat sour cream, here are some things you need to know.
The Nutritional Information of Sour Cream
L. lactus bacteria and B. bifilidus bacteria are the bacteria used in fermenting sour-cream. Both produce lactic acid. This gives rise to the characteristic tanginess of sour-cream.
Although the bacteria is destroyed during processing, the probiotics that remain will be preserved by the manufacturers. The brand and fat content of sourcream will affect the nutritional value. Ge
On average, however, one tablespoon of sour cream will provide:
23 calories 2.4g of fat6 mg cholesterol 1% DV Calcium and vitamin A
What are the risks of giving sour cream to your dog?
You should not give sour cream to your dog, except for possible lactose intolerance. These are the potential risks based on the nutritional facts.
Calories
One tablespoon of sourcream has 23 calories. Your dog will consume 444 calories if you give it one cup of full-fat sour cream.
Excessive calories are not something to encourage in your dog. Extreme weight gain can lead to a shorter lifespan for your dog.
Sour cream contains 90% fats and 60% saturated fat. Consuming high amounts of saturated fat is not a good idea. Saturated fat can increase cholesterol levels in dogs, increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
It is best to allow your dog to eat 25-30 calories per pound.
High Fat Content
Excess fat is bad for dogs, as we have already mentioned. Dogs are not used to eating high levels of fats. A high-fat diet can lead to a variety of health problems, including pancreatitis and heart disease.
But, fat-free sour cream is not the solution. This type of sour-cream contains tyramine. Tyramine is harmful for dogs as it is associated with IBS.
Many dogs can have digestive problems from the artificial flavorings in fat-free sour cream. It is best to avoid it.
Lactose
Dogs generally have no problems with lactose digestion. Some dogs have trouble digesting lactose. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, excess thirst, dehydration, and other symptoms.
Sour cream is a dairy product and contains lactose.
Xylitol Poisoning
Artificial sweeteners are used in some dairy products such as sour milk to enhance their flavor. Sweeteners can be deadly for our dogs.
They are especially sensitive to Xylitol, which is the sweetener in sour cream.
If your dog eats lots of sour cream there is a possibility they might get xylitol poisoning. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning are:
Fatigue Vomiting Low blood sugarSeizures
You must immediately take your dog to a vet if you suspect they have xylitol poisoning.
Do Dogs Get a Benefit from Sour Cream?
Sour cream has been deemed relatively healthy for humans. Sour cream is safe for people who aren’t lactose-intolerant. It has high fat content that can provide energy and trace amounts of minerals like sodium, phosphorus and calcium.
You may be able to consume probiotics depending on the brand of sour-cream you use. This will help soothe an upset stomach.
For dogs, the same can be said. The problem is with giving your dog too much sour-cream.
Do I need to avoid giving sour cream to my dog?
No. No. You can give your dog sour-cream on occasion, but only in small amounts. It is important to use moderation here.
The rule applies to treats. Treats should not exceed 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake. This can also apply to sour cream.
If you have a small dog breed, one tablespoon of sourcream is enough. Dog breeds with larger dogs can have three, which is fine.
What should I do if my dog eats too much sour cream?
First, don’t panic if your dog eats a lot of sour cream. You don’t need to panic if your dog has eaten a lot of sour cream.
The next step is to make sure there is no sour cream. You should take the sour cream away from your dog if it is still there. You will need to watch your dog the rest of the time.
Your dog may have diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms if they are lactose intolerant. These symptoms will generally resolve on their own.
These steps can be used to calm your dog’s GI tract:
You can give your dog water, but not other treats, for the moment. You can give your dog unflavored pedialyte if they are unable to fast. For the moment, let them eat chicken, rice, or boiled meat. Allow your dog to eat this diet for approximately one to two days until their stool becomes firm.
You should immediately take your dog to the veterinarian if you notice any unusual symptoms such as xylitol poisoning.
You can always do more next time. Keep your dog’s food out of reach.
Are There Other Options to Sour Cream for Dogs?
You should not give your dog too much fat if you want them to enjoy sour cream. These are healthier for dogs because they contain less fat, calories, and more protein.
You can also give your dog plain yogurt. Plain yogurt is rich in probiotics, which can aid dogs’ digestive systems. Yogurt is also richer in protein than sour cream.
Plain yogurt is a delicious treat for dogs, but it also provides a boost to their nutritional intake.
If your dog is lactose intolerant, you should avoid giving them dairy products.
Next is kefir. Kefir is another fermented dairy product. Kefir is a healthy and delicious alternative to sour milk. Kefir is, like yogurt. It’s more drinkable.
Banana mash can be used in place of sour cream. Bananas can also be ground until they become creamy and smooth. This makes them an excellent alternative to sour-cream.
Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial to dogs. Banana mash, just like sour cream can be only given to dogs in moderation as they contain sugars.
You can also give your dog dog dog ice cream. This is dog-friendly ice cream. These ice creams are very similar to dairy products but they don’t have side effects. This is a great treat for dogs on hot sunny days!
Last Thoughts
Sour cream is okay to be eaten by dogs that are not lactose intolerant. Smaller breeds should only consume one tablespoon of sour cream every now and again, while larger breeds may have three.
Although sour cream may have health benefits for dogs, particularly if it contains probiotics, too much can cause health problems for dogs.
We hope you found this article helpful in understanding dogs and sour-cream!
Can dogs eat sour cream? Dog Food Smart.
