Brownies are foods used as desserts in human nutrition. Due to its flavor, many owners want to please their dogs with a piece of brownies. But can dogs eat brownies? To answer this question, this post will be about brownies and how they can be harmful to your dog’s health.
Dog eat brownies
Brownies should not be eaten by dogs. Brownies can be toxic due to the chocolate, flour and sugar that is added to their batter.
The consumption of brownies by dogs can lead to food poisoning in the dog, requiring consultation with a veterinarian and even hospitalization for the most serious cases.
What is a brownie
The brownie is a type of cake made from wheat flour, oil or butter, sugar and chocolate most of the time. It is a type of dessert served with ice cream and/or jam.
Human brownies cannot be offered to dogs, but there are recipes for brownies made with ingredients that dogs can eat. The ideal is to look for a veterinary nutritionist so that he can guide the correct recipe to avoid damage to the dog’s health.
Some harms of chocolate for dogs
The chocolate present in chocolate chip cookies is made from cocoa which is composed of carbohydrates, vitamins and organic acids such as methylxanthines, which are theobromine and caffeine, considered stimulants of organic functions.
The dog’s organism takes a long time to process the organic acids present in chocolate, thus leading to intoxication that can increase the physical stimulus of the animal, leading it to present some symptoms.
The main intoxication symptoms shown by dogs are:
- Intense vocalization;
- Diarrhea;
- Vomiting;
- Hyperactivity;
- Tremors;
- Weakness;
- Abdominal pain;
- Cardiac arrhythmias;
- Convulsions;
- Dehydration.
Food poisoning in dogs
The consumption of spoiled, contaminated or toxin foods can destabilize the physiological system of dogs. These toxins can unbalance the microbiota leading to diarrhea. In addition, some toxic substances can remain in the body, leading to liver, kidney and even nervous system damage.
Intoxicated animals should consult a veterinarian. In many cases, dogs can receive fluid therapy to reduce the effects of toxicants. Procedures such as gastric lavage may be performed in some situations.
Treatment includes replacement of fluids, gastrointestinal microbiota and nutrients. Some dogs can become dehydrated quickly due to increased symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Emergency care by a veterinarian is required.
What foods dogs can’t eat
Some foods are harmful to the dog’s health such as:
- Chocolate;
- Coffee;
- Garlic;
- Onion;
- Star fruit;
- Others.
The list of foods that should not be consumed by dogs is huge, so before providing any food to the dog, you should research safe sources if this food is not toxic leading to diseases in dogs.
The ideal is that dogs do not feed on human food, without a veterinarian indication. Commercial food or natural food indicated by a veterinary nutritionist for dogs, are already balanced and it is not necessary to add other foods.
How to proceed when a dog eats brownies?
Immediately the dog should be taken to the veterinarian. Thus, the animal can be monitored to avoid the appearance of more symptoms that could further harm the animal’s health.
In some cases, dogs can undergo gastrointestinal lavage, and should be under observation. Fluid therapy can be done in dogs and supplementation with diet or vitamin and mineral supplements.
Dogs are only discharged when they do not show any symptoms of intoxication, are fed alone and have no signs of diarrhea.
Conclusion
Some foods should not be given to dogs, as is the case with brownies due to the components of this delicious cake for humans that can harm dogs. The brownie can make the dog sick and so after eating, even small amounts of brownie, the dog should be taken to a veterinarian. To provide food from the human diet to a dog, a veterinary nutritionist should be consulted to avoid imbalance in the dogs’ diet, keeping them always healthy as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Dog eat brownies
How many grams of chocolate can kill a dog?
Less than 60 grams of milk chocolate can be enough to intoxicate a dog. That’s why you never give chocolate to dogs.
What to do if the dog eats chocolate chip cookies?
Take the animal to the vet so that it can be observed, and the appropriate medications are taken to avoid major reactions. If you can, take the cookie wrapper to show the vet.
What foods are toxic to dogs?
The most toxic foods for dogs and should not be fed to animals are:
- Chocolate;
- Coffee;
- Garlic;
- Onion;
- Star fruit;
- Others.
References
Carciofi, A. C., Takakura, F. S., De‐Oliveira, L. D., Teshima, E., Jeremias, J. T., Brunetto, M. A., & Prada, F. (2008). Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and post‐prandial glucose and insulin response. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 92(3), 326-336.
Truett, A. A., Borne, A. T., Monteiro, M. P., & West, D. B. (1998). Composition of dietary fat affects blood pressure and insulin responses to dietary obesity in the dog. Obesity research, 6(2), 137-146.
Picture from flirck.com
