I used to leave all kinds of foods out on the counter, thinking Bobby (my dog) wasn’t interested in anything I ate. But then one day, I noticed that he was acting strange – and I realized that he had eaten some cookies off the counter. Immediately, I asked myself: can dogs eat Oreos? Based on what I’ve learned, I knew right away that I should call my vet and never let it happen again.

Key Takeaways

  • Can dogs eat Oreos? The short answer is no ❌
  • The cookies contain cocoa, which is toxic to dogs ❌
  • Cocoa and chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, and even seizures in dogs ⚠️
  • Additionally, Oreos contain other ingredients that can be harmful to dogs, such as sugar, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and palm oil ⚠️
  • If you’re concerned about your dog’s diet, consult with a veterinarian or pet nutritionist for specific guidelines👨‍⚕️
In this article you will read about
1 Oreo Ingredients – Which Are Bad for Dogs?
2 Chocolate Is Toxic to Dogs
3 Can Dogs Eat Golden Oreos (Without Cocoa)?
4 Sugar in a Dog’s Diet
5 Verdict: Can Dogs Eat Oreos?

Oreo Ingredients – Which Are Bad for Dogs?

Oreos consist of two chocolate wafers with a white cream filling in the middle. The ingredient list includes:

  • unbleached flour (enriched with iron and B vitamins);
  • sugar;
  • palm and/or canola oil;
  • cocoa (processed with alkali);
  • high-fructose corn syrup;
  • baking soda and/or calcium phosphate;
  • salt;
  • soy lecithin;
  • chocolate;
  • artificial flavor.
Oreo Ingredients – Which Are Bad for Dogs?

Most of these should worry a responsible dog owner, but two are particularly dangerous. Cocoa and chocolate are toxic to dogs (we’ll give you more details later). What’s more, palm oil acts as a laxative in canines, so your pup could suffer from diarrhea after eating sweets containing it. Sugar and HFCS are just empty calories that can contribute to obesity.

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Too much fat and sugar in general can increase your dog’s risk of pancreatitis. It’s not worth feeding them Oreos, no matter how much they beg.

Chocolate Is Toxic to Dogs

Can dogs eat Oreos? No. Oreos contain both cocoa and chocolate, which is reason enough not to feed your dog any. Chocolate toxicity is due to a compound called theobromine, which is naturally found in cocoa beans. Theobromine is a heart stimulant and a diuretic. In dogs, it causes:

  • vomiting;
  • diarrhea;
  • excessive thirst and urination;
  • panting;
  • hyperactivity;
  • seizures.

Because of the theobromine, dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate, and Oreos aren’t entirely safe for them. On a positive note, the amount of chocolate or cocoa in these cookies is small, so they’re unlikely to cause serious health issues if your pup gets into some. Having said that, can dogs eat Oreos without chocolate?

Can Dogs Eat Golden Oreos (Without Cocoa)?

The producer of Oreos also offers a vanilla variety. The list of ingredients isn’t too different from that of traditional Oreo cookies, but it doesn’t include cocoa (and therefore theobromine that is dangerous to dogs). So can dogs eat golden Oreos? The answer isn’t obvious.

Can Dogs Eat Golden Oreos (Without Cocoa)?

Even though vanilla Oreos don’t contain cocoa, they shouldn’t be considered as safe for dogs. Why? This is because of the other ingredients that dogs shouldn’t eat, namely sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and palm oil.

Sugar in a Dog’s Diet

Sugar can cause obesity and tooth decay, and can also aggravate signs of diabetes in dogs. Too much sugar can also cause your dog to be hyperactive. It’s best not to give your dog snacks that are high in sugar. There are plenty of healthy dog treats available on the market that are both tasty and nutritious.

HFCS: Sugar in Disguise ⚠️

High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that is made from cornstarch. It consists mostly of fructose, which is a simple sugar and can contribute to obesity, liver damage, and type 2 diabetes in dogs. Avoid it if you care about your furry friend’s health!

Verdict: Can Dogs Eat Oreos?

To give you the final answer to the question “Can dogs eat Oreos?”, we can say that a small amount of these chocolate cookies shouldn’t harm your dog. However, Oreos are generally bad for dogs.

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Has your dog eaten an Oreo? One cookie may not make your dog sick instantly. But never leave your dog alone with these cookies, especially if they have a big appetite. If they show any symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive thirst after eating Oreos, please contact your vet as soon as possible. Some dogs may have more sensitive stomachs than others and can become sick after eating small amounts of chocolate.

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