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My Dog Ate Nutella: Our Vet Explains What to Do

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By Dr. Iulia Mihai

nutella spread on a piece of bread

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Written by

Dr. Iulia Mihai

DVM MSc (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Nutella or its generic versions are not safe products for dogs to eat because they contain chocolate and significant amounts of sugar and fat. While a small amount probably won’t lead to a health problem, making a habit out of it will.

In this article, you will learn why you shouldn’t give Nutella to a dog and what you can do if your dog consumes a large amount of Nutella.

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Is Nutella Dangerous for Dogs?

Nutella is not safe for dogs because it contains chocolate and large amounts of sugar and fat. Chocolate is one of the most dangerous foods for dogs. It is made from cocoa, which is obtained from cocoa beans that are fermented, roasted, peeled, and ground. The dangerous compound in cocoa is theobromine, but besides this, cocoa contains small amounts of caffeine. Both compounds can be lethal for canines.

Each gram of chocolate can contain between 1 and 9 milligrams of theobromine. Dogs can begin to feel the toxicity of theobromine at a threshold of approximately 20 mg per kilogram. If your dog weighs 5 kilograms (11 pounds), then 100 mg of theobromine (or 20 grams of dark chocolate) will cause serious health problems.

However, cocoa is toward the end of Nutella’s ingredient list, and your dog is more likely to get sick from the other ingredients (sugar and palm oil) before getting sick from cocoa.

Cheaper generic versions of Nutella may contain xylitol (artificial sweetener) instead of sugar and/or macadamia nuts, both of which are toxic to dogs. Therefore, it is best to check the label right after your dog eats something that they shouldn’t have in order to be informed about the ingredients and so you can call the vet if necessary.

Some dogs are allergic to hazelnuts. So, even if the amount of Nutella that they ate is tiny, they can still develop a severe reaction due to the hazelnuts.

Nutella on spoon
Image Credit: sipa, Pixabay

My Dog Ate Nutella, What Should I Do?

If your dog has eaten Nutella or a cheaper generic version, check the list of ingredients, and do not let your dog continue to consume it. Nutella generally contains sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, skimmed milk, and cocoa. If you see xylitol and/or nuts on the list of ingredients, contact your veterinarian immediately.

In general, if a small amount of Nutella is consumed (in proportion to your dog’s size), there should be no problems. That said, the following clinical signs may occur:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pains
  • Agitation
  • Lack of appetite

Clinical signs can occur within 24–48 hours, so monitor your dog during this time. Moreover, contact the veterinarian if the clinical signs worsen or do not go away on their own, as the high-fat content of Nutella can lead to pancreatitis. Inflammation of the pancreas can manifest itself differently. The mild form often presents with nonspecific clinical signs like loss of appetite or lethargy. In severe cases, vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain, dehydration, diarrhea, and fever can occur.

Even though Nutella contains low amounts of cocoa, it can cause theobromine poisoning in some dogs. Clinical signs of chocolate/cocoa poisoning may include:

  • Nausea
  • Hypersalivation
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating
  • Panting
  • Hyperactivity
  • Restlessness
  • Wobbly walking
  • Shaking
  • Bloody urine
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Increased respiratory rate
  • Low body temperature (hypothermia)
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Death

If you have given Nutella to your dog or suspect that they might have eaten it and now feel sick, do not avoid or delay going to the nearest veterinary clinic immediately. The vet will perform a complete clinical examination and blood and urine tests. These tests, combined with the clinical signs and your dog’s medical history, will help the vet determine the degree of intoxication and establish a proper therapeutic protocol.

vet performing blood test on dog
Image Credit: thirawatana phaisalratana, Shutterstock

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Dogs Have Nutella?

It is best not to give Nutella to dogs. It is full of sugar and fat and contains small amounts of cocoa, all of which can make your dog sick. Any potential benefits are non-existent. Even though a small amount of Nutella probably won’t make your dog sick, making a habit of it can lead to health problems, such as obesity or pancreatitis.

In addition, since it contains cocoa, which is toxic to dogs, your pet can become intoxicated if they eat a large amount of Nutella. Therefore, it is best not to give Nutella to your pet. Instead, you can give peanut butter to your dog as a treat (if your pet is not allergic to peanuts).

nutella chocolate
Image Credit: BrunO, Pixabay

How Much Nutella Is Safe for a Dog?

Nutella has no nutritional value for dogs and can lead to digestive disorders if consumed. This product contains large amounts of sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, and skimmed milk and small amounts of cocoa. The fats, sugar, and cocoa in Nutella can make your dog sick, even if it is consumed in small amounts.

Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts?

While not toxic to dogs, hazelnuts (like macadamia nuts) can lead to digestive disorders or pancreatitis (vomiting, yellow-muddy diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain). Also, some dogs can be allergic to hazelnuts, though this is rare. So, if your dog has digestive problems or develops an allergic reaction after consuming hazelnuts, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Hazelnuts
Image Credit: _Alicja_, Pixabay

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Conclusion

Nutella has a low cocoa content, so it is not as dangerous for dogs as regular chocolate. However, it contains large amounts of sugar and fat, which can lead to obesity, digestive problems, or pancreatitis. Even if Nutella does have a low cocoa content (and thus of theobromine, the toxic compound for dogs), the more your dog consumes, the higher their risk of becoming poisoned. As a result, it is not recommended to serve Nutella willingly to dogs.

If your dog accidentally consumes Nutella, clinical signs may appear within 24–48 hours and may include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, abdominal pain, wobbly walking, rapid heart and respiratory rate, seizures, etc. Contact the veterinarian if these clinical signs occur.

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Featured Image Credit: PhotoEnduro, Shutterstock

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