Can Dogs Eat Sour Cream?

The Short Answer is:

It is safe for dogs to eat sour cream, but you should watch out for signs of lactose intolerance. There are a lot of negative side effects that can occur if your dog is lactose intolerant.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Sour Cream?“.

Many people have tried sour cream before and it has become a very popular ingredient in most recipes. Dog owners all over wonder whether dogs can eat sour cream. With this article you can find out if dogs can eat sour cream that way you will know if you can share it with your dog.

What is Sour Cream?

You can learn everything you need to know about sour cream here. The cream is started off as regular cream before the acetic acid bacteria are added. During this process the bacteria convert the creams sugar into a distinctive sour taste. In other words sour cream is a fermented dairy product.

You will learn later that your pup should only consume a moderate amount of Sour Cream since it is high in fat and contains ingredients that are not intended for dogs. It is possible for dogs to experience uncomfortable side effects for both of these reasons (and more!).

Can Dogs Eat Sour Cream?

It is safe for dogs to eat sour cream but you should watch out for signs of lactose intolerance. There are a lot of negative side effects that can occur if your dog is lactose intolerant. In that case your dog can safely eat sour cream on top of its dog food or you can even let your dog lick the spoon after you get sour cream for yourself.

Is Sour Cream Safe for Dogs?

Yes the good thing about sour cream is that it is made from completely non-toxic ingredients. Unless your dog is lactose intolerant or you give your dog a lot of sour creams your dog should not have any problems with it.

Any new food you introduce to your dog should be introduced slowly and mindfully. It is still possible that an ingredient in sour cream could cause your dog to have an allergic reaction even if your dog isnot lactose intolerant. The following symptoms may occur:

• Your dog is sneezing.
• Runny nose.
• Watery eyes
• Itching of the skin.

Also remember that sour cream is a fermented product. The fermentation is what gives it its sour taste. Some dogs may like the taste while others may not. You can also find alternatives to sour cream on the market that your dog might enjoy. You should also keep in mind that some of these products may contain soy a common allergen among dogs.

Benefits of Sour Cream

Your dog may benefit from some small effects of sour cream but it should mostly be treated as a treat. Here are some of the benefits your dog will reap if it eats sour cream.

Calcium

The mineral calcium is essential for dogs as well as humans. Strong and healthy bones are made possible by calcium. Even though sour cream does not contain as much calcium as milk it can still provide some for your dog.

Vitamins

There are some vitamins and minerals in sour cream that your dog can benefit from. Iron phosphorus vitamin A B6 B12 magnesium sodium and vitamin B6 are some of these. Sour cream contains small amounts of these vitamins and minerals but it is still better than nothing.

Energy

Your dog will gain a lot of energy from sour cream because of its high-fat content. It is possible that you will not even notice the extra energy that your dog gets.

Side Effects of Sour Cream

Side effects are inevitable with everything. The following are some side effects to watch out for if your dog consumes sour cream. You should remember that every dog is different so he may or may not experience all of these effects.

High Calorie and Fat Count

Even a small amount of sour cream contains a significant amount of calories. Each brand has a different calorie count per tablespoon but it will range from 23 to 90. There is no doubt that if you give your dog more than a couple of tablespoons of this the calories will add up quickly. Its always a good idea not to give your dog too much because too much of anything is never a good thing.

Additionally sour cream is very fattening. Saturated fats are abundant in sour cream. Saturated fats are considered unhealthy fats. Sour cream is not good for dogs if there is too much fat in it so make sure to give it to your dog in moderation.

Lactose

Sour cream contains a lot of lactose as you probably already know. When a dog consumes lactose his stomach and bowels can become very upset. Milk contains lactose which is a sugar.

This can cause a whole range of problems for your dog such as stomach upset diarrhea and maybe even vomiting.

Weight Gain

Because of the high calorie and fat content of sour cream if you feed your dog a lot of it he might gain weight. Your dogs size should also be taken into account. The high-calorie content of small breeds of dogs such as the miniature poodle will cause this dog to gain weight faster. In contrast if you have a large breed dog such as a German Sheperd you may not even see a weight gain.

Additives

Sour cream does not always have simple and pure ingredients. Many have added ingredients that may be harmful to your dog. Preservatives and added things like gelatin may not be something you want your dog to consume. Human bodies are very different from dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes with Sour Cream?

It is completely safe for your dog to consume both plain unseasoned potatoes. Mashed potatoes are also safe for your dog to consume. To accompany the potato you can add a very small amount of sour cream. Do this only if you already know your dog is not lactose intolerant or allergic to it.

The potato will offer some nice nutrition benefits to your dog and the sour cream will make it a bit creamier. Sour cream should only be fed to your dog in moderation.

Can Dogs Eat Sour Cream and Onion Chips?

It is not recommended for dogs to eat sour cream and onion chips. Onions are not recommended for dogs to eat.  You probably already know that onions are extremely toxic to dogs so you should not give them any. The chips may not have onions on them but they contain onion powder which is harmful to dogs.

As well as being unhealthy chips should not be given to your dog. Chips will not provide your dog with any nutritional value. Of course you can give your dog a plain potato chip (without salt) but it is not necessary.

Can Dog Eat Sour Cream Pringles?

The answer to the question above is no dogs cannot eat sour cream chips. They contain so much sodium. Too much sodium is dangerous for anyone. We do not consume the same amount of sodium as our dogs.

Alternatives to Sour Cream

If your dog is allergic to sour cream you can always substitute it for another ingredient. You should consider some of these alternatives because they may have more health benefits than sour cream.

Yogurt

In case your dog does not have lactose intolerance and you know dairy products are safe for him you can feed him yogurt instead of sour cream. Make sure you do not buy yogurt that has added sugar or fruit.

Choosing low-fat no-fat or pain yogurt is best. Take a look at the ingredients and see if any of them are harmful to your dog. If a product contains fake sugars or sugar alcohols your dog should not consume it. Check the ingredients first. Plain fat-free with no flavor added yogurt is the best choice for your dog.

Peanut Butter

Snacks such as peanut butter are great for dogs. This food is full of health benefits and protein that your dog needs for optimal health. You should also keep in mind that peanut butter is high in calories so a small amount will suffice. Meanwhile your dog can eat a spoonful of peanut butter while you eat your sour cream.

Bananas

Your pet will love bananas as a snack. Mashed bananas have the same texture as sour cream so they are great for your dog. Bananas are also packed with vitamins and minerals which are extremely beneficial to your dog. Alternatively you can give your dog banana chips instead of sour cream and onion chips.

When shouldn’t you feed Sour Cream to your dog?

After weaning (after their puppy years) a dogs body is not designed to digest dairy products of any kind. Consequently you should avoid overfeeding your pooch with any dairy products including sour cream.

Dairy can be a great nutritional boost for puppies during their puppy years. Dairy can help puppies grow into healthy and strong adults. After this phase of their life is over its probably best to keep the dairy treats to a minimum.

It is common for dogs to have problems with milk and milk-based products but your dogs lactose intolerance may differ. This can lead to diarrhea vomiting stomach cramps and bloating for some dogs who are lactose intolerant.

Depending on the level of lactose intolerance in your dog he may experience mild discomfort or if he is lucky he may experience no downsides to his favorite sour cream treat.

Considerations before feeding your dog Sour cream

Several ingredients in sour cream are toxic to dogs as mentioned above. Excessive consumption of sour cream may also cause health problems. Here are some things to keep in mind:

High-fat content

Fat is an important component of sour cream. It is possible for your pooch to gain weight if they consume too much of it. Dog obesity is a serious matter that can have serious consequences for its health. Donot forget to watch how much you give your canine friends and adjust based on their health.

Additives in some Sour creams

There are different kinds of sour cream. In some cases the food will be low fat in others it will be organic and in others it may still contain sugar and additives. Keep an eye out for flavored sour creams and make sure they do not contain harmful substances or ingredients. 

A substance like xylitol (an artificial sweetener) is extremely toxic to dogs so keep an eye out for sugar-free claims on packages as these are more likely to contain artificial sweeteners. Aside from that avoid flavored sour creams especially those that contain chocolate as these are also toxic to dogs.

Nutritional Profile of Sour Cream (1 Tablespoon or 12 grams)

Possible negative effects of feeding Sour Cream to your dog

Lactose intolerance is common in dogs but not every dog has issues with milk to the same degree. While some dogs may experience mild discomfort after consuming any dairy product others may experience moderate to severe discomfort.

If you want to see how sensitive your dog is to lactose feed them a very small amount of sour cream to see how their stomach handles it.

Your pet may show all or some of the following side effects if it reacts to the sour cream:

• The stool is loose.

• There is diarrhea.

• Vomiting.

• Experiencing cramps and abdominal pain.

• Bloating.

• Gas.

• There is a possibility that your dog will have an allergic reaction such as skin rashes.

What if your dog accidentally consumes too much Sour Cream?

Food should not be left open and unattended around your dog especially if they are a large breed. When feeding your dog food that is not specifically intended for dogs be vigilant and always present. 

Its best not to feed your dog any more treats or human food for the remainder of the day if he has consumed too much sour cream. They need time to cleanse their system. Depending on how severe their symptoms are you can help your dog cleanse themselves by providing water and avoiding solid food for up to 12 hours.  

A dogs gut health can also be improved by using a probiotic. It may help them recover from any digestive issues caused by consuming too much sour cream..

If symptoms do not improve within 2 to 3 days and your dog is still experiencing side effects schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

Moderation is key when feeding Sour Cream to your dog

Once you determine your pup can tolerate sour cream without any serious reactions you can determine how much and how often you should give it to them. Keep it moderate. You should still be careful about how much you feed your pooch even if they can tolerate it. 

You should give your pooch a minimum amount of sour cream. On top of the standard dog treats it is common to reward dogs with highly moderated foods during training. 

The amount of dairy your pup is able to consume depends on his/her unique biology and gut flora. Keeping an eye on your dogs consumption is part of your responsibility as an owner.

Conclusion

There is an answer to this interesting question of whether dogs can eat sour cream. Now that you know your dog is not lactose intolerant you can give him a very small amount. Please let me know how your dog reacted to eating sour cream in the comments below.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.