Can dogs eat whipped cream?

Whipped cream is made from cream that is roughly 35 percent fat, usually sweetened with sugar and sometimes vanilla. Aerosol cans add stabilizers and propellant. A small coffee-shop cup might hold two or three tablespoons, and that can easily be 50 to 100 calories, similar to a small dog's entire treat allowance for the day.

Lactose-sensitive dogs may get gas or soft stools.

Handing over a cup of cream on every coffee run adds up to a lot of extra fat each week. Once a month, or for a birthday, is a sensible frequency. For small dogs, share a spoonful rather than the whole cup.

Watch the toppings: chocolate shavings, cocoa dusting, caramel drizzle, and syrup do not belong on a dog's treat.

Make sure the cream has not touched coffee, which contains caffeine. Sugar-free whipped toppings may use sweeteners, and some low-sugar products contain xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs. Plant-based whipped toppings are often coconut-based and very high in fat.

Hold the cup while your dog licks, so the plastic or paper cup does not get chewed and swallowed.

A spoonful of plain unsweetened yogurt in a small cup gives the same licking pleasure with less fat and sugar. Many dogs cannot tell the difference, especially if you make it an outing ritual. Freeze a few spoonfuls in paper cups for summer outings.