Can Dogs Eat Nutella?

Dogs like to take walks and sniff around for anything edible, and while at it, they might come across some tasty Nutella. Your pet eating the spread might not affect their general health, but is it safe? This article will answer this and other related questions.

Is Nutella Safe?

You shouldn’t add Nutella to a dog’s diet because it contains calories that do not benefit their nutrition. Nutella adds no value to a dog’s diet and can cause obesity or other health issues that will affect their quality of life.

The spread contains multiple ingredients that are known to be harmful to dogs. Thus, there’s a high chance that your dog could become ill after eating it. The best way to safeguard your furry friend is to keep Nutella out of reach.

Nutella Ingredients that are Toxic to Dogs

Nutella is made using multiple ingredients that make humans enjoy and regularly incorporate the spread into their meals. Though the ingredients won’t cause harm to humans, they are known to be toxic to dogs. They include:

Cocoa

It contains a small quantity of methylxanthine (caffeine and theobromine) which has a bitter taste and is toxic to dogs. The compound is similar to caffeine, and dogs can not metabolize it.

Excessive consumption of cocoa by dogs can be fatal. As per the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 20mg/Kg of theobromine is enough to poison a dog, while 100-200mg/Kg is lethal, depending on the dog’s weight and breed.

Sugar

It is not safe for dogs and is a gateway to several health issues. The common health issues associated with over-consumption of sugar are diabetes and obesity. Also, it can make your dog hyperactive.

Other brands of the spread contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to canines.

Palm Oil

In its pure form, palm oil is not harmful to dogs. However, most manufactured palm oil brands added to processed foods are toxic to dogs causing your furry friend adverse health issues such as kidney problems, liver failure, and gut blockage.

Skimmed Milk

Despite having less cream and fat content, it is still a dairy product. Skimmed milk can cause gastrointestinal issues, especially if your pup is lactose intolerant. It may also cause excess gas build-up, which can be a harrowing experience.

Effects of Nutella on Dogs

Nutella may cause potentially life-threatening conditions in dogs. The symptoms of chocolate poisoning manifest within 6 to 12 hours, but in extreme cases where the spread was ingested in large quantities, they can start showing within an hour.

When Nutella’s fat content is indigestible to your dog, it can lead to:

• Gastroenteritis can cause inflammation of their internal organs.
• Loss of appetite
• Restlessness
• Nuts found in ungrounded Nutella pose a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockage.
• Severe illness
• Death

Healthy Alternatives to Nutella

Traditional peanut butter is a good alternative as it does not contain toxins harmful to dogs. It is a healthy treat that contains essential vitamins and minerals beneficial to your canine’s health.

Oatmeal can also be offered to dogs as an alternative as it has a similar consistency.

What to do if My Dog Eats Nutella

There are several steps you can take to help alleviate your dog’s pain or the discomfort they are experiencing. They include:

Home Remedies

If your dog ate a small amount of Nutella, there is a high possibility of full recovery if quick action is taken. Based on the recommendation from your vet, induce vomiting or give your dog laxatives so that your dog excretes most of the Nutella. Follow this with a soothing diet in frequent small amounts.

Feed your furry friend soft and easily digestible foods to prevent further stomach upsets. Do this until the symptoms resolve, which can take two or more days.

You should also ensure your pooch drinks plenty of fluids. The more water your dog drinks, the faster it expels toxins from its body. Do not force them to drink water if they are unable to, as this might cause other problems, such as bloating and excessive diarrhea.

Take Your Dog to the Vet

If your dog shows severe symptoms of Nutella poisoning after consumption, call a vet for advice as soon as possible. The vet will advise you on the first aid procedures you should administer to your dog before leaving your home for the clinic. They may advise you to use activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of Nutella, among other measures.

Conclusion

Nutella is generally not good for your dog’s health. The most efficient safety action you can take is to keep it out of their reach. If your dog accidentally consumes it, it will be best to consult with a vet to make the best action to save your furry friend’s life.

Further Reading:

• Can Dogs Eat Caramel? Is it Safe or Toxic?
• My Dog Ate Chocolate Cake: What Should I Do?