Sour cream tastes so good on many types of foods! Think of that hot baked potato with sour cream and chives. That’s a meal in itself! Or what about Mexican food with sour cream? Yum!
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It might be that your fur baby is begging for what you’re eating—Mexican food and sour cream, or even a part of that delicious baked potato. But can sour cream make your dog sick?
In this article, we’ll take a look at sour cream and whether or not it’s safe for your dog. Let’s get started!
What is Sour Cream?
Sour cream is a type of cream that has been allowed to ferment. It contains certain types of lactic acid bacteria, which are used to ferment, sour, and thicken the cream. The resulting soured cream is then used as a condiment on foods or used as an ingredient in certain recipes. It can also be used as a dipping sauce. For instance, potato chips dipped in sour cream are pretty tasty!
Can sour cream be bad for your dog? Can sour cream make your dog sick?
Sour Cream & Dogs
The good news is that sour cream isn’t toxic to dogs. Having said that, we need to let you know it can make dogs sick. For instance, if your dog is lactose intolerant, he could become sick from eating sour cream. There are also dogs who are allergic to dairy.
Another problem is that sour cream contains a high level of fats. If a dog has too much sour cream (in very large amounts), it’s possible he could develop pancreatitis.
Chances are, if your dog has had one lick of sour cream, he will be OK. However, if he’s had more than that or even eaten an entire carton of sour cream, he could become sick.
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Ask a Vet Live NowLactose Intolerance in Dogs
Sour cream contains lactose, which can make some dogs sick. This is because they are lactose intolerant. This isn’t an allergy; however, the dog can develop gastrointestinal symptoms that aren’t pleasant. These can include vomiting, diarrhea, and gas.
If your dog is lactose intolerant, then the diarrhea/vomiting could last for up to 24 hours. If these symptoms last longer, then it’s time to call the vet. Your fur baby could become dehydrated or have other problems.
Dairy Allergy in Dogs
This one can be serious, depending on the severity of the allergic reaction the dog has to dairy products. With a dairy allergy, the dog is not able to deal with the protein in dairy products. This is a type of food allergy. Symptoms of a food allergy include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Itchiness
- Redness of the skin (especially around the anus and ears)
- Hives
- Swelling of the face
- Difficulty breathing
If your dog shows any signs of an allergic reaction, especially if this is the first time, then call the vet immediately. This could be a medical emergency.
With lactose intolerance, most dogs will recover on their own. However, dogs with a dairy allergy will need to be treated right away. The problem is they could have an anaphylactic reaction, which can lead to death if not treated.
If your dog eats sour cream, and you’re worried about this, then be sure to call the vet. They will have the best information on how to handle this situation.
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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