The digestive tract of the dog is arguably its weakest point. There seem to be a wide variety of foods that are either toxic to the dog or can cause it problems. When it comes to vanilla, dogs seem to have a special weakness, as it can be toxic by itself, but its extract is even more toxic.
As such its owner needs to be really careful when cooking so as to not expose the dog to the vanilla or allow it to drink vanilla extract. If it is exposed, then you need to get the dog to the nearest veterinarian as quickly so as to ensure its continued life.
Is Vanilla Bad for Dogs?
When it comes to vanilla dog owners have a tough task. It is one of the most commonly used ingredients, being used in a wide variety of cookie recipes, as well as some food recipes.
It can be difficult to keep it away from dogs, especially if the dog is in the kitchen when the owner is cooking. Fortunately, the dog can survive eating a vanilla bean and even some vanilla extract, even though it may be a good idea to induce vomiting in such a situation given the bad effects of vanilla on dogs.
Can Dogs Have Vanilla?
A lot of dog owners who cook often ask, “Is vanilla poisonous to dogs?” The good news is that it usually takes a lot of vanilla in order for the dog to be affected more than a tummy ache.
However, most cooks deal with vanilla extract, something that is far more dangerous to dogs. Vanilla extract is when a vanilla bean has soaked in alcohol for a few months; the flavor of the bean seeps into the alcohol over time; its alcoholic content is why vanilla extract is dangerous to dogs. When it comes to vanilla extract dogs are in serious danger if they drink it, as It can cause death for the dog.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla?
Dogs can eat some forms of vanilla; while it is poisonous if drunk, baking it into things helps dilute the effect somewhat. However, the irony is that while vanilla, and especially vanilla extract, is dangerous to dogs, the ingredients used in the cookies can be even more dangerous than the vanilla extract.
As such, owners are advised to not let their dogs have too many cookies, especially if they cooked with chocolate or raisins.
In Conclusion
Dogs can eat vanilla, to a degree. The problem is that they cannot eat a lot of vanilla, and in some cases, the problem is not the vanilla itself but what is surrounding the vanilla, such as vanilla ice cream or cookies.
Nonetheless, it is important that a dog not be exposed to vanilla or vanilla extract for health reasons. If they are exposed to either, the owner should get them to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. This is one time that moderation is a good thing, and the dog should have a few cookies and ice cream as possible. Luckily, there are alternatives, so the dog need not suffer too much.
The important thing to keep in mind here is that sometimes something and its extract can have very different effects in some situations. While vanilla and vanilla extract comes from the same source, they are can have very different effects, especially from the perspective of the dog’s stomach.
While vanilla extract is derived from vanilla, the addition of alcohol makes it far more dangerous to the dog. That little change makes a major change in the bean, and that elevates the danger to the dog. As such, do not assume that just because something is somewhat safe in a form that it will be safe in any other form.
FAQ
Vanilla in and of itself will not hurt your dog. The worst that will happen is that the dog may get a tummy ache. The problem is usually what is included with the vanilla in the baked goods, such as chocolate, raisins, or even sugar. While dogs tend to have problems handling spices in general, and vanilla is after all a spice, vanilla tends to have a relatively minor effect compared to other spices. While this does not make it okay for the dog to eat large amounts of vanilla, it does mean that it can survive eating a single vanilla bean or two. eating a single vanilla bean or two.
A dog can eat some vanilla ice cream, but it is not advised for the dog to eat a lot of ice cream. The problem is not the vanilla but the ice cream part; a dog is just not prepared to digest milk in any form once it has been weaned. At that point, its digestive system loses the ability to properly lactose; it just does not need that ability anymore. As such, it gains lactose sensitivity and has a problem dealing with any real amount of milk in any form. This, unfortunately, means that ice cream in more than small quantities is off the table, especially if it contains other problem foods like chocolate or raisins.
If you want to give your dog something cold and relatively sweet that is safe for it, there are some options. The first is to freeze fat-free plain yogurt; its additional fermentation helps eliminate some of the lactose. Try to avoid commercial yogurt to avoid some of the sugar issues. You can also use “nice cream”: Squish two bananas together until they are creamy and then freeze them. This gives them a sweet, cold treat that also happens to be high in nutrients. Also, some dessert manufacturers have created ice creams with our canine friends in mind.
No matter how cautious you are, it is always possible for your dog to either down some vanilla extract or eat a large number of baked goods created with vanilla extract. The latter is obviously more likely. However, when it does happen, you need to hurry; they can show the effects within 30 to 60 minutes; the vanilla extract can be quickly absorbed into the dog’s system. You need to get the dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible so that the veterinarian can attempt to save the animal. You should also make sure that the extract or the baked goods are out of reach of the animal.
Vanilla extract poisoning symptoms are similar to those for intense indigestion: The animal may seem to be confused or disoriented. It may be suffering from vomiting and/or diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. It may be moving slowly, with a slow heart rate being a problem, as well as potential seizures. In extreme cases, the dog may die. Again, once you see that the dog has either drunk some vanilla extract or a lot of baked goods created with vanilla extract, you need to get that dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible.
This is sort of a strange one: While a dog can eat a single cookie, maybe two, that has been made with vanilla or even vanilla extract, the problem is not from the vanilla or vanilla extract. The problem is that the cookies tend to have lots of sugar, sometimes ingredients that are problematic themselves like chocolate or raisins. This means that while the vanilla content is not an issue, the other ingredients are. Also, the number of calories can be an issue as well, and if the dog eats even one or two cookies a day, then obesity and diabetes are also potential issues.
