Do you remember the Oreo commercial where a little boy shows how to eat an Oreo to his dog and says, “Mom said dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate, but you can have my milk?”
As a dog parent, you might already know that chocolate is toxic for dogs. However, Oreo contains only a small amount of chocolate.
So, can dogs eat Oreos?
In this post, I have discussed all Oreos and dogs.
So read on to clear all your confusion!
Can Dogs Have Oreos?
The answer is “no.” You should not feed Oreos to your doggo.
Why?
To know the reason why you should not give Oreo to your dog at any cost, have a look at what these cookies are made of at a later section.
Does Oreos Have Real Chocolate?
Yes, there are real chocolates in Oreos, but in small amounts.
If your doggo eats just a small quality of Oreos, they will not suffer from chocolate toxicity. Don’t worry.
However, I would suggest keeping your doggo away from it. You should not give anything to your furball that is potentially toxic, especially if your dog is more sensitive compared to other dogs.
Ingredients in Oreos
Before you go on to feed Oreos to your furry buddy, you must take a look at its ingredients. And this applies to all food you are planning to feed your pup.
- Sugar
- Unbleached enriched flour: reduced iron, niacin, wheat flour, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), folic acid, and riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Canola oil and/or palm oil
- High fructose corn syrup
- Cocoa that is pressed with alkali
- Cornstarch
- Chocolate
- Vanillin – artificial flavor
- Soy lecithin
- Salt
- Leavening: calcium phosphate and/or baking soda
Nutritional Value of Oreo (1 Cookie)
- Calories, cal: 53.3
- Saturate Fat, g: 0.7
- Total fat, g: 2.3
- Total carbohydrates, g: 8.3
- Sodium, mg: 45
- Dietary fiber, g: 0.3
- Protein, g: 0.3
- Sugar, g: 4.7
- Potassium, mg: 18.3
How the Ingredients in Oreos Can Affect Your Dog?
Now that you know about the ingredients in Oreo cookies, it is time that you know how they can affect the health of your doggo.
#1. Unbleached Enriched Flour
As already mentioned, Oreo has unbleached enriched flour as an ingredient. This is not at all healthy for your dog. Instead, you might want to choose whole wheat flour.
You need to ensure that your furry buddy is not allergic to gluten or wheat products. And if they are, don’t give them Oreos.
For them, you can make some homemade dog treats. For that, instead of using wheat flour, use amaranth flour. It is neither grain nor gluten.
And the best part?
It is filled with dietary minerals and protein that are very beneficial to the health of your doggo.
#2. High Fructose corn Syrup
Your four-legged buddy doesn’t need sugar in their regular diet. And so, as a doggo parent, you should avoid feeding sugar to your pup at any cost.
Oreos have high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient. This makes it harmful for your pal.
#3. Sugar
As said in the previous point, sugar is not good for your pup’s health. So generally, they don’t need sugar that you can find in sweets, candies, and other human food such as Oreos.
There are 4.7 grams of sugar in a single Oreo cookie. Now, that is a lot of sugar!
A dog’s body should get its part of natural sugar from the carbohydrates in their everyday food. While having their daily meal, the carbohydrates in their food are broken down into sugar or glucose. It is this sugar that their body uses to operate and live.
Now, if you give one Oreo to your dog, it means that they are exceeding their intake of sugar by 4.7 grams, which is, no doubt, too much. And it can be harmful to your canine companion’s health.
- Eating a lot of sugar can interfere with the micro-organism balance. This balance is essential as it helps digest food in their gut. As a result, they can suffer from an upset stomach. They may have explosive and bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
- Consuming a lot of sugar can give rise to dental problems in your doggo. When they chew on food that has sugar, it can get stuck to their teeth. The bacteria in their mouth then use the stuck sugar to make acids. This acid will ruin the outer coating or the enamel of their teeth. This, in turn, results in cavities and tooth decay in your pup.
- Your dog’s metabolism is disrupted by eating a lot of sugar. Their metabolism changes as well as affects their hormones. The result? They may not have muscle tone anymore, and they may start storing fat and become weak. But you don’t want that, right?
- Eating too much sugar can make your doggo obese. And they can start having health issues, for example, difficulty in breathing, lethargy, heart disease, and joint problems.
Did you know that one in four doggo is obese?
And I’m not saying this. This is according to the Banfield Pet Hospital.
And last but not least, eating loads of sugar can lead your pup to have pancreatitis and Type ll diabetes.
#4. Canola and Palm Oil
Both canola and palm oil are there in Oreo. So always be careful when you are dealing with commercial food that has palm oil, for example, Oreo.
Palm oil is not toxic for your furry buddy when it is in its purest form. And when it is in solid form, it can be really toxic for your canine buddy. However, this oil is often contaminated with other toxins and fuel waste.
On the other hand, canola oil is not toxic for your dog. However, it is not the healthiest oil out there either. Also, this oil doesn’t have natural fat.
Some healthy oils for your pup are coconut oil, sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil, and olive oil.
#5. Chocolate and Cocoa
There is only a little chocolate in Oreo that is made of cocoa. This adds taste to the flavor of this cookie but, in turn, increases the risk of poisoning your pup. The two primary chemicals found in cocoa are caffeine and theobromine. And both of these are toxic to your doggo.
They can cause:
- Diarrhea
- Heart stimulation
- Blood vessel dilation
And they can affect the function and tone of your pup’s muscle.
Your doggo can’t metabolize these two chemicals. This makes them more prone to the side effects – as long as they stay in their system.
But, the levels of caffeine and theobromine are low in Oreos. So it can’t affect large breeds of dogs much – unless they are specifically susceptible to theobromine poisoning. In some cases, a dog might not suffer from theobromine poisoning, even after eating a whole chocolate cake.
It is hard to be sure about the actual levels of caffeine and theobromine in Oreos. However, after gathering information from various trustworthy blogs, I can give you an estimate that can be used as a rough guideline.
And according to that, Oreos have 2.4 mg/oz theobromine and 0.85 mg/oz caffeine.
#6. Theobromine
Suppose your dog eats toxic amounts of theobromine. In that case, it can lead them to have a wide range of medical problems and complications – from minor to severe – and in some cases, it can even lead to death.
The symptoms of toxicity from theobromine include:
- Hyperactivity
- Agitation
- Drooling
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Racing heart rate
- Heart arrhythmias (in severe cases)
- Tremors
- Seizures (in extreme cases)
- Twitching
An average Oreo weighs approx. 0.40 ounces. So, you can say that there is about 0.96 mg of theobromine in one cookie.
To experience the mild symptoms of toxicity, your dog (per pound) has to eat about nine Oreos. And for severe symptoms, they might have to eat about forty-five Oreos per pound.
So don’t worry, you will not give your pup this many Oreos, right.
#7. Caffeine
As humans, we can consume a lot of caffeine, and it causes little to no issues. But the case with dogs is not the same, as they have less mass than us. As a result, a large amount of caffeine can be toxic to them.
Now, if you want to know the exact amount of caffeine that you can find in Oreo, let me say that it is hard to determine. While some blogs say it is around .34 ounces per cookie, others say it is approximately 1.3 mg.
Your dog (per pound) might start experiencing the symptoms of toxicity from caffeine by eating as little as nine mg. This means they need to eat quite a lot of Oreos before experiencing serious poisoning. And I’m sure you are not going to feed that much Oreos to your doggo, right.
#8. Soy Lecithin
Made from soybeans, soy lecithin is a flavor stabilizer and a food-grade emulsifier. Unfortunately, soybeans are a GMO food – high in pesticides.
There are natural toxins along with haemagglutinin. This may lead your pup to have:
- Blood clotting
- Gastric distress
- Amino acid uptake deficiency
- Decreased protein digestion
Also, they can disrupt the ability of your pup’s thyroid gland to produce necessary hormones for the normal function of the thyroid.
#9. Salt
There is 45mg of salt or sodium in one Oreo cookie. For humans, this amount is very little.
However, the case is not the same with your beloved buddy. For them, it is quite a lot of sodium.
Now, if you ask your vet, they will say that your doggo can have just about 0.25 -1.5 grams of sodium for every hundred grams of food they eat.
If your pup consumes too much salt, it can lead them to have sodium poisoning. Here are some signs of sodium poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Confusion
- Diarrhea
- Lack of coordination
- Muscle tremors
- Convulsions
- Weakness in muscle
- Weakness in body
- Lethargy
- Coma (in extreme cases)
- Seizures (in extreme cases)
- Death (in extreme cases)
#10. Vanillin – Artificial Flavor
There is an artificial flavor in Oreos named vanillin. This vanillin is a chemical compound that you get to find in vanilla bean extract. Sweet food such as cookies and Oreos use this as a flavoring agent.
Now, the vanillin that is there in Oreos is artificial. This means that it is produced synthetically.
Let me tell you a fun fact.
Did you know that 99% of vanillin that is used in food is not sourced from vanilla beans?
So when you find this artificial flavor in food such as Oreos, don’t feed them to your furry buddy.
Can Dogs Have Golden Oreos?
No, you should not give golden Oreos to your dog. This variety of Oreos is also known as vanilla Oreos or white Oreos. It doesn’t matter what people call them. They are NOT healthy for your four-legged buddy.
Are you wondering if golden Oreos have chocolates?
No, there is no chocolate in vanilla Oreos or golden Oreos.
It has almost the same ingredients as the regular Oreos. However, some additional ingredients include baking soda and natural flavor.
Compared to regular classic Oreos, golden Oreos are safer. However, it is still not a good idea to feed this to your favorite buddy.
Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter Oreos?
If you ask about peanut butter alone, I can say that they are safe for your dog to eat in moderation. But Oreos are no doubt a bad treat for your doggo. They have loads of oils and sugar than peanut butter. So it is better to avoid giving it to your pup.
If you ask about peanut butter alone, I can say that they are safe for your dog to eat in moderation. But Oreos are no doubt a bad treat for your doggo. They have loads of oils and sugar than peanut butter. So it is better to avoid giving it to your pup.
Can Dogs Have Lemon Oreos?
Well, don’t get fooled by the name.
There is no real lemon in lemon Oreos! Like the regular classic Oreos, this variety of Oreos also has high sugar, palm oil, and fructose corn syrup.
So it is better to keep your furball away from it.
Can Dogs Have Strawberry Oreos?
In the year 2013, Strawberries ‘N Cream Oreos flavor was a limited edition variety of Oreos. There is no chocolate in them, but they have many oils and sugar. So in case, they come back, don’t give them to your doggo.
Your Dog Ate Oreos: What Should You Do Next?
Did your pup get into a bag of Oreo cookies in your pantry? Or, did your dog eat some Oreos from your kitchen counter?
As a fellow dog parent, I recommend not to seek online advice at the time of emergency. Instead, ALWAYS get in touch with your vet as soon as you can, as they know your doggo better.
Suppose you suspect that your furry buddy has gulped some Oreos or any possibly toxic item. In that case, these are the things that you need to do immediately:
#1. Don’t let them Eat More
The more your pup gets to eat, the more the chances of falling ill. So don’t let them have more. Also, clear up the mess that your doggo has made as quickly as you can. And while doing so, remove your pup from the area.
#2. Don’t induce vomiting
Inducing vomiting doesn’t always work. And the chances are that it will do more harm than good. If you are trying to make your pet sick, know that it can lead them to inhale their own vomit. And this can cause severe to life-threatening lung infections. This infection is known as aspiration pneumonia. So in most cases, you don’t need to induce vomiting.
#3. Contact your vet
If your pup eats something that is potentially toxic – no matter when and where – it is always wise to contact your vet. This is because they know your dog the best, and they can give you the right advice about what to do next.
Give them a call even if you think your pup will be okay.
In order to help the vet make the best decision regarding the treatment of your doggo, have the following information while calling them:
- Details of the Toxic Product your Dog has Eaten
This information includes the name of the product, how much of the product has been eaten, and the list of the ingredients. Check the packaging for this info. And then pass them on to your vet.
- Details of your Dog
This includes the sex, breed, age, and rough weight of your dog. Now, does your pup have any medical conditions? Or are they taking any medications? Don’t forget to tell your vet about all these.
- Changes in your Pup’s Behavior
Inform your vet about the symptoms that your doggo might be showing. For example, your vet will ask you if your furry buddy is drinking, eating, acting normally or if they are coughing, vomiting, sneezing, or having diarrhea.
You can find several healthy dog snacks and treats in pet stores. Give those to your pup instead of giving Oreos to them.
FAQs
Chocolates in Oreas contain theobromine, which dogs can’t digest or metabolize. So, dogs eating Oreos may also suffer from a range of problems. But, of course, the result always depends on the amount of Oreos consumed by your dog.
While one or two Oreos will lead to mild stomach infections, more than three Oreos will lead to severe issues like chocolate poisoning and abdominal pain. Last, if dogs consume the whole packet of Oreos, it may prove fatal and even kill your dog.
No, one Oreo won’t hurt your dog, but Oreos are not recommended for dogs. If your dog has accidentally ingested one, it may not prove dangerous, but your dog may experience discomfort or mild stomach infection.
Oreos have chocolate in them, and dogs are not meant to have chocolates. So, cookies like Oreos are unsuitable for dogs, and if consumed in large quantities, they can prove fatal to your dog. More than three Oreos can be toxic to dogs.
An average Oreo has around 4.6% chocolate in it. Oreo is one of the few flavored cookies using the original cocoa.
No, your dog should not even have a small quantity of chocolate. This is because chocolates have theobromine, and dogs cannot digest and metabolize it.
So, even if your dog has ingested a small amount of chocolate, closely watch them for the next 12 hours, and consult a vet if there is any sign of chocolate poisoning.
Yes, Oreos have theobromine. Theobromine is commonly found in chocolate. It is toxic for your dog and may prove fatal if it consumes more than 200 mg per kg of its body weight.
A packet full of Oreos can kill a dog. Oreos have a high percentage of sugar, fat, and chocolate, and these ingredients are harmful to dogs. Even a single oreo can make your dog unwell, and Oreos can kill a dog when consumed in large quantities.
Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.