I was doing a bit of research on spices, and whether or not dogs can eat certain spices and I came across something very interesting.
I did not know this, but vanilla is actually a spice, and we all know that vanilla is used in a variety of foods. One would normally associate vanilla with baked goods and ice cream.
But, this made me wonder. Can dogs eat vanilla? Is it safe for them?
No, dogs should not eat vanilla. Vanilla comes in a variety of forms, however, vanilla beans or pods are what is used for flavoring. If a dog eats one of these beans or pods then it would cause him any harm apart from a potential upset stomach. But vanilla also comes in the form of vanilla extract and should a dog consume it then it can cause serious health problems due to its high alcohol content.
The Dangers Of Feeding Vanilla To A Dog
As mentioned, one vanilla bean or pod won’t cause much harm to a dog when consumed. The problem comes in when a dog consumes vanilla extract, which is what a lot of us store in our kitchens and use for flavoring.
Should a dog drink vanilla extract straight out of the bottle then he can become very ill. This is because vanilla extract has a high alcohol content, and as we all know, dogs should never consume alcohol as it is very toxic to them. It is extremely dangerous, especially for smaller dogs.
If a dog eats a small piece of vanilla cake or any other type of food that has been flavored with vanilla extract, then it is not likely to cause any problems because only a few drops of vanilla extract are used for flavoring. However, feeding your dog any type of food that has been flavored with vanilla extract is not recommended.
A dog that has consumed a fair amount of vanilla extract can become very ill and might display one of the following symptoms of vanilla extract poisoning:
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Disorientation, confusion
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Slow heart rate
- Vomiting
It is worth noting that vanilla extract poisoning can lead to death in dogs, so if your dog has consumed a fair amount of vanilla extract that you need to get in touch with a vet immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Ice Cream?
Yes, feeding a dog a small amount of vanilla ice cream is not likely to cause any problems, however, you should never feed a dog sugar-free vanilla ice cream because it contains xylitol which is toxic to dogs. Also, make sure that the ice cream does not contain any other ingredients that are toxic to dogs like nuts, for example.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Yogurt?
Yes, a small amount of yogurt is not likely to cause any problems when you feed it to your dog. However, you need to make sure that it is not sugar-free yogurt because it contains an artificial sweetener called xylitol which is toxic to dogs. Also note that vanilla yogurt contains sugar, and too much sugar can lead to obesity or diabetes in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Wafers?
No, dogs should not eat vanilla wafers because they have very high sugar content, and too much sugar can lead to obesity or diabetes in dogs. Too much sugar is also very bad for a dog’s teeth, so it is best not to feed your furry friend vanilla wafers.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Cake?
Dogs can eat a small piece of vanilla cake without developing any health issues, but it is not recommended to feed this delicious human treat to your furry friend. Vanilla cake contains a fair amount of sugar, and when not consumed in moderation, can lead to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Pudding?
I would not recommend that you give your dog vanilla pudding because it contains a lot of sugar. Milk is also a key ingredient in vanilla pudding and this can cause digestive problems in dogs when not consumed in moderation.
Conclusion
I hope that you are now better informed as to why vanilla is generally not recommended for dogs to consume.
While eating a vanilla pod or bean won’t cause much harm, a dog can become very ill when he consumes vanilla extract. This is because vanilla extract contains a fair amount of alcohol, and this is toxic to dogs.
While dogs can generally eat most of the baked goods and foods that are flavored with vanilla, I would not recommend that you feed your dog any of these. These baked goods and foods normally contain sugar, and we all know that too much sugar is not good for dogs.
