No, it is not recommended for cats to eat cream due to its lactose, fat, and sugar content.
Cream is a dairy product that comes from cow’s milk. Rich in fat, it is extracted by processing milk and taking the top layer before homogenisation. The types of cream include clotted cream, heavy cream, whipping cream, light cream, sour cream, half and half, and ice cream—all containing varying levels of butterfat. Some commercially sold cream also contain high amounts of sugar, corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners that are considered harmful for cats.
It is not recommended for cats to consume cream because most cats, especially adult ones, are lactose intolerant. This means that their digestive systems do not have the capacity to process lactose, which is a type of sugar found in dairy products. When a cat eats cream, she may end up having digestive upset or diarrhea.
What to do if your cat accidentally eats cream: Find out how much and what type of cream she ate. A small amount should not harm your cat, but keep a close eye on her over the next 24 hours. Observe your cat for unusual symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, to name a few), and bring her to the veterinarian immediately once these signs manifest.
In summary: Since cats are obligate carnivores that thrive on eating high-protein meat, they will not receive any nutritional benefits from eating cream. But with their vet’s approval, a cat can eat a small amount of cream occasionally as long as her stomach can handle it. Limit her cream intake since regular consumption can cause health complications such as weight gain, feline obesity, dental issues, and joint issues.
Instead of giving her ice cream, cheese, and other dairy products, find out which human foods you can safely feed to your cat through our “can cats eat” category.
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