Most people already know that Nutella is not the best food to give their dog. However, they might be tempted to offer them a treat every now and then.
Due to its mouth-watering taste, Nutella has been named “Heaven in a Spoon”.
So when you want to give your dog the best, shouldn’t you include a Nutella spoonful from time to time?
Avoid Giving Your Dog Nutella at All Costs
If you check the ingredients of Nutella, you will see that it contains not only sugar but also cocoa and palm oil, soy, hazelnut, and skimmed milk.
Since it is a highly processed food, Nutella should be avoided not only in dogs but also in humans.
Yeah, I know. Easier said than done for humans.
After all, giving your kid such high doses of refined sugar and chocolate will not be the best nutritional guideline.
But when it comes to dogs, chocolate can be toxic. When dogs consume large quantities of cocoa, they risk getting poisoned.
Cocoa contains a substance that is called theobromine, and this substance is also catastrophic for your canine. It can raise its heart rate beyond limit and cause problems to its cardiovascular and nervous system.
These are all pretty serious, especially when the temptation is only temporary.
What Will Happen to a Cocoa Poisoned Dog?
If a dog gets poisoned by chocolate consumption, it will most likely experience the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Elevated heart rate
- Seizures
- Frequent urination
All these are warning signs that should be taken into consideration. If you see your dog experiencing any of these symptoms, you should ask immediate help from the vet.
It is best to make your dog vomit, in avoidance of making the situation even worse.
To do so, you can use activated charcoal or an equal mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide.
At the same time, you need to hydrate your dog throughout the process.
Nutella Alternatives For Dogs
Keeping in mind that your dog has a different taste in foods than you do, you can easily find alternatives to Nutella that are both delicious and nutritious.
For example, you can cook oatmeal and serve it to your canine.
This will provide enough fiber, as well as aid your dog with its digestive and cardiovascular systems.
Just be sure not to add any other ingredients to the oatmeal, such as a little bit of honey.
If you want to try out something different, unsalted peanut butter is a great option. It is rich in healthy fats and niacin, and your dog is going to love its crunchiness and creamy texture.
Anther great treat for your dog is chicken. It is lean and full of protein.
Grill it or boil it and let your dog enjoy its taste!
Please don’t serve your dog fried chicken.
Last but not least, remember that apples also make a great healthy treat for your dog.
Slice them or cut them up into cubes. Be sure to core the apple and remove the seeds before feeding them to your four legged friend.
Verdict
Nutella is not a great treat for dogs. If you truly care about your buddy, don’t ever feed it Nutella.
It can be toxic to your dog and is not worth the risk.
Instead, check out delicious alternatives that will not only keep your dog happy but also healthy and fit for a long time!