Can Pugs Eat Nutella? Is Nutella Safe for Pugs?

If you’re like me, you love spreading Nutella on bread, waffles, pancakes, etc. You may have even put some on your finger and let your Pug lick it. But can Pugs eat Nutella, and is it safe for them?

Can Pugs Eat Nutella?

No Pugs cannot eat Nutella. Cocoa is one of the ingredients, which is toxic to dogs. It also contains high amounts of fat and sugar, which can be bad for canines. If your dog licks some off your finger, they’ll likely be okay. The best thing is to avoid letting them have any at all.

As Pug parents, it’s essential to know what human foods Pugs can and can not have. In this article, we’ll take a look at why Nutella shouldn’t be a part of your Pug’s diet.  

can Pugs eat Nutella

If you’re unsure of what food to feed your Pug, consult with your veterinarian as they will be able to give you advice. 

What Is Nutella

Nutella is a popular creamy chocolate and hazelnut spread that tastes amazingly on practically anything. It is composed of vanillin, sugar, cocoa, hazelnuts, milk, lecithin, and oil.  

Americans love it, but according to VeryWellFit, some of the ingredients are dangerous to our health, especially if not eaten in moderation. 

Is Nutella Safe for Pugs?

According to veterinarian Dr. Rebecca  DVM, Unless your Pug consumes a large amount of Nutella, you likely have nothing to worry about. That said, Nutella has more sugar than cocoa, and sugar can be bad for Pugs.

Similar to how sugar is bad for us, it can be harmful to dogs. While dogs do need sugar in their diet, they likely get it through high-quality dog food. When fed, human foods with sugar can cause inflammation throughout their body. (source)

Nutritional Information In Nutella

One serving or two tablespoons (37 grams) contains the following:

NutrientQuantity
Calories200
Fiber2.0 grams
Total Fat11.0 grams
Protein2.0 grams
Sodium15.2 mg
Folate5.2 mcg
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)1.8 mg
Vitamin A1.1 IU
Magnesium23.7 mg
Phosphorous56.2 mg
Potassium151 mg

(source)

Are There Any Benefits of Feeding Pugs Nutella?

While yummy and your Pug will likely love it, Nutella contains no nutritional value for your pup. If something is not healthy for us, it probably is worse for your dog. 

Nutella contains ingredients that should not be a part of your dog’s diet, such as:

Palm Oil

Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil found in the pulp of the fruits of oil palms or the fruit’s flesh. It is high in saturated fat, which has been linked to heart disease. (source) It is one of the main ingredients in Nutella, which makes it too fattening for your pup. 

Sugar

One tablespoon contains 100 calories and 11 grams of sugar. Pugs are prone to obesity. Feeding them Nutella can cause them to gain excessive weight, leading to joint problems, heart issues, trouble breathing, and other health issues. 

Dangers of Feeding Your Pug Nutella

Nutella does contain small amounts of cocoa, which is a form of chocolate. Therefore, it contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. As you know, chocolate is toxic to Pugs. Foods that contain any form of chocolate should not be a part of their diet. 

Pugs that eat Nutella regularly can experience pet poisoning. Pet poisoning occurs when your dog eats too many foods that contain harmful or toxic ingredients, either accidentally or purposely. 

These are the signs and symptoms of poisoning you should be aware of:

  • Vomitting
  • Frequent urination
  • Restlessness
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Increased heart rate or beat
  • Overall weakness

If your Pug shows any of the signs after eating Nutella, you’ll want to take them immediately to an emergency pet clinic. 

Should You Feed Pugs Nutella

Considering there are healthier human food options, you shouldn’t feed your Pug Nutella. If you’re the type of pet parent who feels you need to share food with your Pug, consider giving them healthier options.

While not as yummy as Nutella, foods such as broccoli, green beans, bananas, eggs are better options for your pooch. 

How To Keep Your Pug From Eating Nutella

The easiest way is to ensure you properly train your Pug. Dogs, especially puppies are like toddlers and they will try to get away with as much as possible if you let them.

Training a Pug isn’t hard, it just takes time. The BrainTraining4Dogs system will help you get your four-legged friend trained properly, so you don’t have to worry about them eating something they shouldn’t.

If you’ve just opened your doors to your new pup, ensure you don’t leave Nutella or any other dangerous food laying around.

What to Do If Your Pug Eats Nutella?

If your Pug ate a small amount, there’s usually nothing to worry about. A small amount shouldn’t hurt your furbaby. That said, you will want to monitor their behavior, and if you notice any unusual behavior, contact your veterinarian. 

Suppose your Pug got into the pantry and at a whole bottle of Nutella, take them immediately to the emergency doggie clinic. It’s essential to act quickly and immediately because every second counts. 

Depending on how long it’s been that your Pug has eaten Nutella, you’ll either contact the Pet Poison Hotline or take them to the veterinarian.  

If you don’t have time to get your dog to the veterinarian, contact the Pet Poison Hotline. They will likely ask you to get your dog to vomit. They’ll walk you through the process of how to do it. 

Getting a Pug will involve you tickling the inside of their mouth. Typically a dog will vomit on their own, especially after eating something they shouldn’t. According to PetMD, hydrogen peroxide is a “topical antiseptic” that can be used as an oral home remedy to help your pup throw up something bad they ate.  

If you walk in and your Pug still has their tongue inside the Nutella jar, you likely have enough time to take them to the emergency clinic if it’s close to where you live. 

Be sure to take the empty Nutella bottle as the veterinarian will want to know how much they ate. It’s hard to treat a dog if the vet doesn’t know what type of toxin your dog ate. 

The veterinarian will likely induce vomiting to get it out of your dog’s system. 

Either way, it’s important to act fast because your Pug’s health is on the line. 

Final Word

Nutella is not good for us, and it’s even worse for your Pug. If your pup eats a small amount, they’ll likely be fine. However, if a small dog like a Pug eats half a jar or more, you’ll want to take them to the emergency clinic or get them to vomit. 

Hopefully, this article has made you aware of the dangers of feeding your Pug Nutella. You should avoid sharing any foods that can cause harm to your pup. 

No matter how much they beg, it isn’t worth giving them a taste!

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