Can Dogs Eat Hazelnut Spread?

Can Dogs Eat Hazelnut Spread?

Can dogs eat hazelnut spread?

No, dogs should not eat hazelnut spread. Since hazelnut spread is high in oils, fats, and sugars, it is not a good snack for your pet. It also contains chocolate and cocoa, which can be toxic to dogs. While the amount of chocolate in hazelnut spread is likely not going to affect your dog, since it is such a small percentage, hazelnut spread should still be kept away from your pet. Truthfully, hazelnut spread is not even healthy for humans if eaten too often, and it is not safe for dogs, either. It also provides no nutritional value for your pet, so there is no reason to be feeding your dog hazelnut spread.

Hazelnut spread is a delicious sweet treat, and can be used for baking, or simply in a sandwich or on a piece of toast! Since it does include chocolate, you may assume that it is not something that your pet should be eating. However, is it a cause for concern if your dog eats your Nutella sandwich while your back is turned, or steals the jar off of the counter? Read on to learn more about hazelnut spread and what to do if your dog consumes it. 

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What Is Hazelnut Spread?

Hazelnut spread is a sweet spread made with ingredients such as chocolate and hazelnuts. One of the most popular brands of hazelnut spread is Nutella.

This food spread is made by crushing and blending hazelnuts and then adding additional ingredients for flavor such as chocolate, sugars, and oils. It is very popular in Europe but has also found a market in North America in recent years. 

Hazelnut spread is not necessarily a healthy option and should be looked at as more of a treat. Its top ingredients are typically sugar and palm or vegetable oil, meaning it even outweighs the hazelnuts from which it gets its name!

It can be a great sweet treat or can be used as a baking ingredient for baked goods like cakes or pastries or even eggo waffles. 

Can Dogs Eat Hazelnut Spread?

Since hazelnut spread is high in oils, fats, and sugars, it is not a good snack for your pet. It also contains chocolate and cocoa, which can be toxic to dogs. While the amount of chocolate in hazelnut spread is likely not going to affect your dog, since it is such a small percentage, hazelnut spread should still be kept away from your pet.

Truthfully, hazelnut spread is not even healthy for humans if eaten too often, and it is not safe for dogs, either. It also provides no nutritional value for your pet, so there is no reason to be feeding your dog hazelnut spread.

Your dog may suffer from symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea to expunge the hazelnut spread from its system. This can also be triggered by the amounts of oils and sugars in hazelnut spread, as well as the richness of the food. 

Hazelnut spread can also trigger pancreatitis in sensitive dogs or pets that are eating lots of hazelnut spread. Pancreatitis is very painful for your pet and can cause issues such as vomiting and loss of appetite or inability to eat. Often, you will need to bring your pet to have its fluids replaced at the vet to recover from pancreatitis. 

What If My Dog Eats Hazelnut Spread?

If your dog does consume hazelnut spread, you may not need to worry. A lick or two– or even a full teaspoon– will typically not affect your furry friend. However, if your dog does consume a larger amount of hazelnut spread, you will want to be sure to monitor its behavior and should also call your vet right away.

Regardless of the amount that is consumed, you should watch your dog evaluate if it exhibits any strange behavior or symptoms– a smaller dog or one with a sensitive stomach may still be affected by a smaller amount of the spread. Be sure to closely monitor your pet for the next 48 hours– even if your pet does not exhibit symptoms immediately, these can develop hours later. 

Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts?

As the name suggests, hazelnuts are a key component of hazelnut spread. We have discussed how hazelnut spread has lots of harmful additives that can be dangerous for your pet, but you may be wondering about hazelnuts on their own.

Are they safe for your pet?

Generally, your dog could be all right if you shared a hazelnut or two with them. However, hazelnuts are still risky. This is because, firstly, they could be a choking hazard for your dog! Always be sure that you watch your pet while eating to avoid such incidents.

Hazelnuts may also contain mycotoxins and juglone. Mycotoxins are a toxic substance that is created by mold and fungi, which can cause seizures in your dog.

Juglone is a toxic substance that is secreted by the roots of certain trees– this can also lead to convulsions or seizures in pets. These risks truly outweigh the nutritional value of hazelnuts. It is best to find another crunchy treat for your pet, or stick to its normal dog treats. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hazelnut spread toxic to dogs?

Hazelnut spread does contain chocolate, which can be toxic to dogs. However, the amount of cocoa is such a small percentage of the hazelnut spread that your dog should be okay if it eats a bit. That being said, you should still avoid giving your dog any hazelnut spread!

What happens if a dog eats Nutella?

If your dog only eats a little bit of Nutella, it will likely be fine. If your dog gets into the jar of Nutella though, for instance, it could get sick and experience gastrointestinal distress. Your pet could also develop pancreatitis if it is eating Nutella due to the high amounts of sugar and fats.

How much Nutella will hurt a dog?

Luckily, small amounts of Nutella will usually not do much to your dog. For example, a teaspoon of Nutella should not put your dog at risk of chocolate toxicity. That being said, though, you should monitor your dog if it does eat Nutella, and also call your vet if your dog has eaten a large amount or starts to exhibit any unusual symptoms. 

What happens if a dog eats a Nutella sandwich?

Luckily, the amount of chocolate in a Nutella sandwich is probably not going to harm your dog. If you have a small breed or a dog with a sensitive stomach, your pet may experience some gastrointestinal distress. You should be sure to monitor your dog for any irregular behavior, such as tremors, nausea, or a racing heart.