You know that chocolate chip cookie your dog got into? Your dog may be scarfing them down at this very moment. The thing is, dogs don’t have the same guidelines as us humans when it comes to sweets. This article will answer some questions about chocolate chip cookies and what you should do if your pet consumed these cookies!
Can Dogs Eat Chocolate Chip Cookies?
The answer is yes. The sugar in the chocolate chips can offer a much-needed burst of energy for your pup. However, there are some considerations that need to be made before your pets can begin chowing down on the delectable dessert.
To start off this discussion, it is important to know what exactly a cookie is and what makes it different from other types of food that animals might consume. A cookie is composed of flour, sugar, eggs, butter, melted chocolate chips or chunks, and spices most typically cinnamon or vanilla. There are many other ingredients that might be added.
You might also be interested in “Can Dogs Eat Chocolate?”
Now that we have learned what cookies are and why they are considered to be something special, it is important to understand whether or not your pets should be allowed to indulge in this type of food.
Are Chocolate Chip Cookies Safe For Dogs To Eat?
Although the dangers of chocolate chip cookies for dogs are few, there are still some precautions that need to be taken before allowing your pet to indulge in these delectable treats.
Here are some precautions you should take:
- The first danger is posed by the sugar content. Sugar can cause bloating and constipation in pets if they consume too much of it. In long run, your dog can be prone to Obesity and Diabetes. So, make sure your dog doesn’t eat too many chocolate chip cookies.
- The other danger comes from the chocolate itself. Chocolate contains caffeine which can make your dog feel anxious and jittery if they consume too much. There are two main types of chocolate: milk and dark. Milk chocolates contain more milk solids which means they have more lactose in them and can cause digestive issues for dogs who do not tolerate dairy well. Dark chocolates on the other hand contain significantly less lactose but more fat which can also be an issue for some dogs with sensitive stomachs or who struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
Find out more about milk chocolate and dark chocolate in our articles: “Can Dogs Eat Milk Chocolate?” “Can Dogs Eat Dark Chocolate?”
- The third thing that you need to consider before you can determine whether or not it is safe for your pet to consume chocolate chip cookies is the type of flour it contains. Most commercial foods are made with flour which often contains traces of wheat. Dogs cannot typically consume wheat since it tends to cause constipation. Wheat also tends to be very hard on their digestive tracts and is typically enough to give them an upset stomach which can turn into a full-blown life-threatening condition called bloat.
- The last, and the most important thing that you need to consider is the number of chocolate chip cookies that your pet will be consuming. Dogs are capable of eating multiple chocolate chip cookies in one sitting. This means that you must take careful measurements when determining how much of the treat your pet should consume. Most dog owners decide to give their pets one or two small pieces rather than force them to wait for their next meal in order to avoid problems like constipation and bloating.
With these safety precautions in mind, it can be safely concluded that dogs can eat chocolate chip cookies. Although they contain wheat and caffeine, neither of these problems pose much danger to dogs if they are given in moderation. Reading labels is key when trying to determine how dangerous some foods maybe for our pets. With this being said, it is still important to use caution when giving your pets some of their favorite treats, including chocolate chip cookies.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Too Many Chocolate Chip Cookies?
If you come home and notice that your dog ate some chocolate chip cookies, just take a look at them! Do they have any symptoms? Are they acting differently from when you left? If so, rush your pet off to the vet or emergency animal hospital for a quick check-up.
In some cases, dogs can exhibit a few of the following symptoms if they ate too much chocolate chip cookies:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Trembling/shaking
- Panting/hyperventilating
- Excessive urination
- Salivating
Conclusion
Can dogs eat chocolate chip cookies? Yes, they can. The sugar in the chocolate chips can provide a refreshing shot of energy for your pet. However, if you are not careful, your dog can get sick if they eat too many of these sweet treats.
Explore more about feeding other chocolate-related products to dogs in chocolates for dogs.
Did you know about the precautions we mentioned in the article? How often do you share chocolate chip cookies with your dog? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!