Can Cats Eat Sour Cream?
By Pettings · Sources checked Nov 2, 2026
No. Keep sour cream away from cats. It is a cultured cream that is high in milk fat and still contains lactose, and the ASPCA explains that pets lack significant amounts of lactase, so dairy can upset their digestion and cause diarrhea. Sour cream also tends to arrive with onion, garlic, or chives mixed in.
Why Sour Cream Is a Problem for Cats
The USDA lists one tablespoon of cultured sour cream at 24 calories. WSAVA's daily treat allowance for a 9 to 11 pound adult cat is about 22 to 25 calories, so one tablespoon uses the entire day's treats, almost all of it as fat. In its section on nuts, the ASPCA says the oils and fats in nuts can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in some pets. WSAVA also lists dairy products among treats to avoid because many cats are lactose intolerant.
The flavorings are often the bigger concern. Sour cream and onion dip, chive dips, ranch-style dips, and baked potato toppings commonly include onion, garlic, or chives, sometimes as a powder you cannot see. The ASPCA lists these plants as able to damage red blood cells and cause anemia, and it notes that cats are more susceptible than dogs. Sour cream on nachos or tacos may also carry seasoning with onion and garlic powder plus a lot of salt.
Signs to Watch For
Plain sour cream is most likely to cause stomach upset, such as the diarrhea the ASPCA describes for dairy. The ASPCA also says fats like those in nuts can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in some pets. If the sour cream was in a dip with onion, garlic, or chives, the ASPCA notes that the red blood cell damage these plants cause can lead to anemia, and signs such as weakness, low energy, or pale gums may take a few days to appear.
What to Do If Your Cat Ate Sour Cream
If your cat ate more than a lick, or the sour cream was part of a dip or a seasoned dish, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. Do not try to make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to. Bring the tub, the dip package, or a list of the recipe's ingredients, and estimate how much your cat ate. Mention onion, garlic, or chives first if they were in it.
If your cat has a history of pancreatitis or another medical condition, call your veterinarian about any sour cream it ate.
Common Questions
Can cats eat sour cream and onion dip?
No, keep sour cream and onion dip away from cats. The ASPCA lists onions, garlic, and chives as able to damage a cat's red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, and notes that cats are more susceptible than dogs. Onion powder in a dip counts too. If your cat ate some, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away.
What happens if my cat licks sour cream?
A single lick of plain sour cream usually causes nothing or a mild upset stomach. Sour cream is fatty dairy, and the ASPCA says dairy can upset digestion. If the sour cream had chives, onion, or garlic in it, call your veterinarian. Otherwise watch for vomiting, loose stool, or a cat that stops eating.
Can kittens eat sour cream?
No, kittens should not eat sour cream. The USDA lists a tablespoon at 24 calories, nearly all fat, and a kitten's small calorie budget needs to go to complete kitten food. Many cats are lactose intolerant, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center, and diarrhea can dehydrate a young kitten quickly. Call your veterinarian if a kitten ate sour cream and seems unwell.
Is sour cream easier for cats to digest than milk?
Sour cream is cultured, but it still contains lactose and is much higher in fat than milk, so it is not an easier option for cats. The ASPCA links dairy to diarrhea. One tablespoon is about 24 calories, according to the USDA, which is a 10-pound cat's whole daily treat allowance.
Can cats eat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
If you want a creamy treat for a cat that handles dairy, a teaspoon of plain nonfat Greek yogurt is a lighter choice than sour cream. Tufts Petfoodology lists 2 tablespoons of plain nonfat Greek yogurt at 15 calories, while a single tablespoon of sour cream is about 24 calories. Both contain lactose, so stop if your cat gets soft stool.