As a pet parent, you’re likely to panic if you just found out your dog grabbed your last bag of Oreo cookies from your pantry or kitchen table. Not so much about your missing bag of tasty treats but the health and well-being of your pup.
Dogs are insanely guilty of munching on “human foods.” They have an incredible sense of smell and can sniff out tasty treats from miles away. The problem with this is that some foods like chocolate, milk, and grapes are toxic to your Fido, so you shouldn’t blindly feed your dog human foods.
Oreo cookies might not pose a serious threat as candy or grapes when eaten by your dog, but they can still affect your furry friend’s health. You must keep your human foods out of reach in a secure, tamper-proof location.
But, if you’re one of the responsible pet parents and your doggo still manages to get hold of your Oreo jar, don’t freak out. Find out what the risk is if your pup eats Oreos, how best you can help your dog, and more.
Can Dogs Eat Oreos?
Yes, your dog can eat Oreos. As we’ve mentioned, pups have an incredible sense of smell, so they’ll gladly gobble a whole pack of Oreos. But, it doesn’t mean you purposely reward your Fido with this sweet dessert since you’ll be doing your dog more harm than good. The ingredients in Oreo cookies are enough to send your canine to the ER.
Oreos are two chocolate-filled cookies held by a white, creamy center. Nevertheless, you’ll find new flavors with a colored creamy topping. There are various options available, and you can find them in candy, cakes, ice creams, and even wine like the famous Barefoot x Oreo Thins Red Blend Wine. Regardless of its many formulations, Oreo should not be fed to dogs.
The cookies are rich in sugar and fat, which can irritate your dog’s stomach and easily scale up the calories leading to weight gain and diabetes.
Alternatively, you can reward them with healthy and tasty dog cookies.
A Closer Look At Why Oreo Cookies Bad For Your Dog
Read along to learn the basic ingredients in Oreos and how they affect your hound’s health.
High sugar & fat content: Each Oreo cookie contains about 4.5 grams of sugar, like one full teaspoon. Now, that’s too much sugar! Worse, every cookie has at least 2.3 grams of fat, equivalent to half a teaspoon.
High sugar and fat intake can cause gastrointestinal issues in your dog, including pancreatitis, diarrhea, and vomiting. Depending on your dog’s genetics and medical condition, it can have diabetes and even heart disease.
Canola and Palm oil: Derived from the canola and palm tree, both canola oil and palm oil are non-toxic. However, they have a laxative effect on dogs, increasing the risk of your Fido developing diarrhea after munching a handful of pieces.
These oils are not the healthiest for your furry companion. The best oils for your pup are flaxseed oil, olive oil, fish oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil.
High fructose corn syrup: Dogs don’t need extra sugar in their diet, and high fructose corn syrup is just another sugar.
As mentioned, too much sugar can disrupt the microflora balance in your dog’s gut. As a result, they may have maniac diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, Type II diabetes, pancreatitis, and heart disease.
Alkali processed cocoa: Chocolate is poisonous to dogs because it includes theobromine, which is a toxic chemical found in the cacao plant. Even though the cocoa content in Oreos is insufficient to wreak havoc on the health of your canine friend, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
The cocoa is processed with alkali, making it even more harmful since some of the native goodness is stripped out. Theobromine, like caffeine, can cause hyperactivity, diarrhea, restlessness, vomiting, and seizures. Humans have no problem digesting this component, but your pup can have a hard time and can easily have a build-up in the bloodstream to toxic levels.
Sodium: A single Oreo cookie has 43mg of sodium. Although this is not much in humans, it’s way extra for our canine companions. Ideally, dogs should consume between 0.25 and 1.5 grams of salt in every 100grams of food. Too much sodium in the bloodstream can lead to salt poisoning, manifesting as body weakness, lethargy, muscle tremors, convulsions, extreme thirst, and lack of coordination.
Other ingredients in some varieties:
Caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant and can make your dog hyperactive. It becomes restless, jittery, and urinates more frequently. Caffeine will also raise your dog’s blood pressure and heart rate. Your pup may have seizures and experience vomiting and diarrhea.
Xylitol: This is an artificial low glycemic substitute for sugar. It’s a popular option for people with diabetes and people with a sweet tooth but is diet conscious. Xylitol is toxic to dogs because it triggers insulin secretion in dogs, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), liver failure, seizures, and even death.
Alcohol: Dogs react to alcohol much like humans though the impact is mild. Warning signs include incoordination, weakness, drooling, lethargy, decreased respiratory rate, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and hypotension.
Can Your Dog Safely Eat Oreo Cookies?
When most of us think of Oreos, chocolate is the first thing that comes to mind. And as we’ve already mentioned, chocolate is toxic to your Fido. Here are some chocolate-free Oreo varieties, but how safe are they for your Fido?
Can Your Dog Eat Golden Oreos?
Also known as White or Vanilla Oreos, Golden Oreos is one intriguing, tasty treat. They are chocolate-free, so they are a safer choice for your dog to consume. But still, you should keep these cookies away from your dog since they contain high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and palm oil.
Can Your Dog Eat Apple Cider Donut Oreos?
While we welcome Oreo’s exotic new flavors with open arms (and an open mouth), you shouldn’t share the excitement with your doggo. Each bite is filled with a lot of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fat, and oils. Moreover, the extra spices can cause abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, excessive thirst, and vomiting.
Can Your Dog Eat Oreo Ice Cream?
No! The Oreo ice cream contains an insanely high amount of sugar that dogs don’t need. Plus, it also contains milk. It’s worth noting that most canines are lactose intolerant, meaning they find it difficult to digest milk. This can irritate the gut causing diarrhea, bloating, loose stool, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
Can Your Dog Eat Peanut Butter Oreos?
By itself, a dollop of peanut butter is healthy and safe for dogs but in moderation. It’s an excellent source of healthy fats, vitamins E and B, and proteins. This nutty treat is sure to drive your pooch nuts. However, apart from peanut butter, these cookies also have oils, fat, and sugar which override their goodness.
What Happens To Your Dog After Eating Oreo Cookies?
The side effects of your dog munching on Oreos depend on the dog’s size and the number of cookies eaten. Depending on the pup’s overall health, one or two cookies might not affect some breeds. But if they chomped down many cookies, you’ll need to monitor your canine for signs of illness closely.
If you notice any of these signs, you should contact a veterinarian or bring your dog to the animal clinic.
- Restlessness
- Body Weakness
- Seizures
- High heart rate
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Panting
- Abdominal swelling
- Restlessness
What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Oreos?
If your furry companion just chowed down some Oreos, you’ll need to act fast to safeguard their health. You should contact your veterinarian right away. To avoid worsening the situation, stay away from online medical advice. Here are the next steps to take. You can use these as a guide for when your dog ingests any toxic substance.
1) Stop them from eating more Oreos
The more Oreos your dog eats, the more likely it’ll be sick and have complications. Clear up any bitings, stash the oreo bag or jar out of sight and clean up the space. Just remove your pup from the area before you start tidying up.
2) Do not induce vomiting
You’ll find plenty of advice online to give your furry pet hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. But, this does more harm to your dog than good. Making your pet vomit can make it inhale it, leading to a fatal lung infection known as aspiration pneumonia.
3) Contact your vet
Whenever your pup eats anything that you suspect may be toxic to them, it’s always best to contact your vet for sound advice. Even if your dog just ate a piece or two- it’s still important to call your vet to include it on your dog’s records in case of any issues.
These details will include your dog’s age, weight, sex, breed, medical conditions, the product is eaten, amount, and ingredients. Remember also to share any changes in your dog’s behavior.
4) Feed them a bland diet
If your dog is experiencing none to mild toxicity signs and your vet doesn’t recommend you bring it to the clinic, you can feed it a bland diet. Food takes between 2 and 6 hours to be digested in a dog’s stomach and from 10 to 12 hours to be absorbed.
Give your dog a bland diet (chicken, white fish, pasta, scrambled eggs, rice) for the next 24 to 48 hours with plenty of freshwaters. We also advise you to monitor its stool and any other signs for the following days.
Can Oreo Cookies Kill Your Dog?
The realization that your dog just gobbled not one but a couple of Oreos can have you freaking out over their safety. Moreover, you can’t ignore the nagging feeling that they might die. But, no need to panic. A few pieces of Oreos will surely not send your dog to the grave but should still be avoided altogether. Your dog is in no immediate danger since there’s not enough chocolate to cause toxicity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have some questions concerning your dog eating Oreos? Understandably. Even though they nibble on almost everything, pups are quite sensitive to foods, and Oreos have ingredients like sugar, oils, chocolates, and fat that can easily make them sick.
1. Will my dog be okay after eating Oreo cookies?
If your dog eats a handful of Oreo cookies, there’ll be no effects. Your pup might experience a short-lived tummy upset. But if your pet appears sick and is not feeding, contact your vet for medical treatment. Your dog might need hospitalization, intravenous fluids, and even surgery.
2. Will Oreos kill my dog?
A cookie or two will not likely kill your dog. However, when your dog eats a large quantity of Oreos, it ingests more harmful ingredients, posing a higher risk of health issues. Remember, Oreos contain high-fat content, sugar, and oils with a moderate amount of chocolate.
3. What next if my dog develops chocolate toxicity?
Chocolate toxicity is a life-threatening occurrence in dogs. If your pup is displaying symptoms of chocolate toxicity, we advise you call your vet right away. If treated promptly, chocolate toxicity is manageable, but any delay can lead to fatal complications.
In Conclusion
Dogs are notorious for eating many human foods they shouldn’t in the first place. Oreos will have your buds itching with excitement, but this is not the case for your dog. The multilayered treat is not a healthy snack for your dog. A single Oreo might not affect your furry friend, but chowing down large quantities will upset their tummy and give it chocolate toxicity.
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