Oreos are probably one of the most popular cookies out there currently, Oreos can be found pretty much anywhere. For this reason, it is important for you to know, what happens if your dog has an Oreo cookie? Can dogs eat Oreos, are they safe for dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Oreos?
Most of us love Oreos but can dogs eat Oreos as well? The answer to that is NO. Oreos are made from chocolate, now if your dog just snuck a sneaky one, they will probably be fine. As there is not that much baking chocolate in an Oreo to cause alarm straight away. With that said, it is not clever to feed your dog any type of chocolate, no matter the size or type.
No. If your dog has eaten a lone Oreo, she’s probably fine. But Oreos aren’t recommended for dogs. Of course, chocolate is toxic to dogs, but there’s not enough baking chocolate in an Oreo to cause immediate alarm. That said, it’s not wise to feed your dog anything containing even a small amount of a toxic ingredient.
Source: Rover.com
It is just not the chocolate that makes Oreos not healthy for dogs, it is the amount of sugar they contain. Oreos contain a lot of sugar which is bad for dogs.
This will only help your dog gain weight and increase their blood sugar levels, which in time can cause diabetes. Other things they contain are artificial flavors and low-quality oils, which should be avoided.
What Makes an Oreo Unhealthy?
There are a few different things that make an Oreo not safe for a dog, with the obvious one being the chocolate. Now Oreos are not high in chocolate actually but that still does not make it ok. Dog’s still cannot have chocolate, even if the amount is small.
Refined Sugar
Oreos are filled with sugar, like a lot… Refined Sugar is not good for a dog, it can lead to your dog gaining weight and becoming obese. Which will result in your dog feeling lethargic, sleeping more, and can cause depression in your dog.
Long term if you do not help your dog lose their weight and keep feeding them a high sugary diet. It can lead to more serious illnesses such as heart diseases, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Such a sugary treat can also upset your dog’s sensitive stomach. Even though you see your dog eating anything they can get their hands on, this does not mean their stomach can handle it. They do actually have a sensitive stomach.
Canola and Palm Oil
Oreos are made with canola and Palm oil, which is not good for goods. Any type of oil like this is bad for a dog’s health. Canola and palm oil have been linked to diabetes and fatty liver diseases. You are basically just feeding them more fat.
Palm oil has been known to have a laxative effect on dogs, which in turn will cause diarrhea. Which can then turn in to dehydration. Because it is a fatty oil, it can also cause your dog to have an inflamed pancreas or worse pancreatitis.
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup or the artificial sweetener that is made from it known as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is bad for a dog’s health. If your dog eats too many treats that contain HFCS, then you are increasing their chances of becoming overweight. Which will, in turn, lead to pancreatitis and diabetes
Check out the table below from the USDA FoodData Central Database, showing that half of a cookie is just sugar, with 15g of a 24g cookie is carbs as well.
1 Oreo Cookie - 24g
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 130kcal |
| Protein | 1g |
| Total Lipid (fat) | 7g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 15g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0g |
| Sugars, total including NLEA | 12g |
| Sugars, added | 12g |
| Calcium, Ca | 19.9mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.3g |
| Potassium, K | 40.1mg |
| Sodium, Na | 35mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 5.04mg |
Symptoms to keep an eye on
As mentioned above if your dog managed to get a hold of a single Oreo your dog is not likely to be ill from it. If your dog has managed to get a full packet of them, then we recommend you call your vet if you are worried or they are acting differently.
Some symptoms they can start to have are:
- Panting and increased heart rate
- Trembling, shaking, and seizures
- Unsuccessful attempts to vomit or defecate. This will show when your dog is trying to have a poo, but nothing is coming out, this could be due to intestinal blockage.
- Tense stomach or abdominal swelling
Knowing how much and what kind of chocolate your dog ate can help you and your vet determine if you have an emergency. In general, mild symptoms of chocolate toxicity occur when a dog consumes 20 mg of methylxanthines per kilogram of body weight. Cardiac symptoms of chocolate toxicity occur around 40 to 50 mg/kg, and seizures occur at dosages greater than 60 mg/kg.
Read the original article – American Kennel Club
Conclusion
No, you should not be feeding your dog any type of Oreo cookies. Oreos still do have chocolate in them, even if the amount is not as high as you thought. Dogs are allergic to chocolate no matter the amount or size.
Secondly, Oreos are bad for a dog because of how they are made. They are made with a mass amount of sugar, fat, and oil, three things that are bad for your dog’s health.
If you are ever worried about your dog’s health you should contact your local veterinarian or emergency clinic. You can also contact ASPCA, Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435, please note there will be a $60 fee for the call.
Now if you really insist on giving your dog something like an OREO, please watch the below video where Gone to the Snow Dogs on YouTube creates DIY Oreo Dog Cookies. As with everything these should be used as a treat and not given on a regular basis.
