Dogs specifically need an adequate amount of protein made of high-quality and locally sourced meat. Once in a while, some fruits, healthy fats & vegetables can also be offered for proper digestion and healthy growth.

An equal combination of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, fat & oil, minerals, and water creates a healthy diet for dogs. Inadequate nutrition can lead to dietary insufficiencies or excesses, which could lead to potential health risks in dogs.

Nutella is majorly made of chocolate, hazelnut and cocoa, and it is a human food. Unlike the fragile digestive system of dogs, the digestive system of humans can tolerate the hazelnut spread to a good extent.

If your dog sneakily helped himself with some Nutella, or you wish to give him chocolate treats from time to time. Here is all you need to know about the safety & impact of Nutella on your dog’s health.

Can Dogs Eat Nutella?

A snack like Nutella can be really tempting for dogs, your dog might go ahead to eat it when unsupervised, but you have to stop the dog from eating it if you are close by.

If your dog consumes Nutella unsupervised, find out if he consumed it excessively; if he did, consult a veterinarian immediately for his medical opinion. Excessive consumption of human food sugar & fats can deteriorate your dog’s digestive system.

Additionally, dogs are prone to suffer side effects from chocolate consumption, and chocolate is completely toxic to dogs. This is because dogs metabolise Nutella differently from humans, and their body system finds it intolerable.

So, although the delicious taste & smell of chocolate spread is appealing to dogs, feeding on it can cause potential health risks, and it has no place in a dog’s diet plan.

How Much Nutella Can Kill A Dog?

Nutella has chocolate among its ingredients which is very toxic & poisonous to dogs. Consumption of a large amount of it can lead to death, seizures or tremors, but it is safe if the dog consumes only a small amount of the chocolate spread.

Body size plays an important role in a dog’s ability to tolerate chocolate in the body system. Sizeable dogs can tolerate chocolate spreads more than small pups.

If death does not occur, side effects such as diarrhoea or vomiting for some days or just one day may occur. Visit a clinic when you observe that the situation is out of your control.

Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts?

Hazelnut in its original form (Hard Nuts) is not metabolically toxic to the digestive system of dogs. Regardless, the risk possibilities of feeding your dog hazelnuts outnumber the health benefits.

Hazelnuts can provide dogs with essential nutrients, Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins that can boost their immune system. But, they pose a risk to dogs because they are large and indigestible for aged and minor dogs,

A dog is susceptible to hazards like choking, loss of breath, coughing or possible blockage of a part of its body system.

Expert Opinions On Dogs Eating Nutella

The possibility of illness after consumption of Nutella by your dog is high, and due to an insufficient nutritional value, it poses a very high risk for little health benefits. Nutella provides a minimum of 100 calories per serving. Experts suggest that this is indeed a large proportion of calories for dogs to consume.

The chocolate spread has the tendency to cause dangerous overweight and obesity in a man’s best friend. Vets have confirmed that Nutella’s cocoa, fat & calorie content can result in allergic reactions like diarrhoea & vomiting.

A lack of allergic reactions after close supervision for over 48 hours should be a very good sign, but there is a slight chance of illness after some time. So, it is important to consistently monitor the dog’s health condition after Nutella consumption.

Consult an expert veterinarian if you observe any health issues.

Understanding Nutella And Its Ingredients

Nutella is a well-established brand of hazelnut-rich & sweetened cocoa spread mass-produced by an Italian company called Ferrero. The company is widely known as the world’s third most popular chocolate production company.

With sugar being the most abundant ingredient in Nutella, many people still value it because of the nutritional value of the hazelnuts added to the chocolate spread. Some people even reduce their use of peanut butter because they prefer the hazelnut-rich chocolate spread more.

This sweetened chocolate spread is consumed in different ways, and the common way is using it as a waffle, toast, bread or pancake topping.

Ingredients And Nutritional Profile

The chocolate-producing company Ferrero takes great delight in the fact that their chocolate product is made of only organic, high-quality food components.

For example, the company consistently uses 100% organic food components such as locally sourced / unrefined cocoa and palm oil. The Nutella chocolate spread contains the following simple ingredients:

Sugar

The sugar content in Nutella comes from locally sourced refined sugar cane or beet. The company purchases Beet sugar at an 80% rate, and refined sugarcane is purchased at a 20% rate.

Sugar, more than 40%, is the largest content/ingredient found in a Nutella chocolate jar.

Palm Oil

The palm oil used in the production process undergoes thorough treatment in the refinery, which is why safety is ensured during consumption. The company extracts palm oil from palm tree fruit pulps in equatorial zones.

Extracted palm oil is reddish in colour and has an oil content of roughly 45% – 65%). Ferrero makes use of palm oil not only because its taste is neutral & it is odourless but it also aids to ensure that the chocolate’s texture is smooth, creamy & spreadable.

Hazelnut

Hazelnut in its pasty form is present in Nutella, about 100% organic & pure. Each chocolate jar contains an average of 50 hazelnuts.

Whole Hazelnuts are delivered to Ferrero chocolate factories in an unshelled, raw, organic and calibrated form. Then a close observation exercise of the nuts is conducted by staff to confirm that the nuts are durable, standard and safe for eating.

Cocoa

The cocoa beans used by Ferrero to produce Nutella are obtained from the region of Western Africa. The essence of cocoa beans is to give the spread a very nutty chocolatey appeal.

Powdered Skimmed Milk

Extracted by expelling water content from non-fat pasteurised milk. Using regular milk to produce Nutella will reduce its shelf life and would require a refrigerator. Powdered milk maintains its shelf life and does not require refrigeration.

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Soy Lecithin

Soy lecithin is added as an emulsifier. Emulsification of Nutella using soy lecithin simply means that ingredients will barely separate, and the smooth texture of the spread remains perfect.

Soy lecithin is a fat-rich substance which is extracted from soybeans.

Vanillin

This is a food ingredient that is originally found in vanilla bean extracts. Nutella contains vanillin in its synthetic form.

Two tablespoons of the spread contain 37 grams of calories or 200 calories.

Fat: 12 grams
Protein: 2 grams
Sugar: 21 grams
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 4%

The little amount of iron and calcium found in Nutella does not render it highly nutritious. Dogs with obesity, digestive and heart disease issues should avoid the spread as it has high fat, sugar and calorie content.

Overview Of The Potential Health Risks Of Nutella On Dogs

In this section, we will describe in detail the potential health implications of Nutella ingestion for dogs and the specific ingredients used in the production process of the spread that are harmful/toxic to dogs at large.

1. Vomiting

Immediately medical care for an expert veterinarian should be an option if your dog’s vomiting pattern is consistent throughout a day or several days.

You should also bring it to his vet doctor’s attention if there are symptoms in addition to the vomiting: Frequent urination, appetite loss, and running stomach.

If your dog only vomits once after eating chocolate spread, desist from giving him food for a maximum of 6 hours. Ensure that drinking water is available, but please supervise the dog’s water intake, as excessive water intake can make him vomit even more.

When he stops vomiting, small amounts of solid food can be given alongside anti-vomit medications and some drinking water.

2. Increased Heart Rate

Sugar is extremely harmful to dogs, and they can’t completely metabolise theobromine as humans do. High sugar intake leads to a rapid rise in a dog’s insulin level, increasing blood pressure and heart rate.

3. Cavities

Just like humans, too much chocolate can make a dog susceptible to developing cavities; this grows even worse when it does not brush regularly. Acids are produced when the sugar left in the mouth is used by bacteria, resulting in the destruction of the teeth’s enamel coating and a bad dental disease.

Since dogs are also prone to cavities, a low carbohydrate diet would favour them more than sugar. Always remember that regular brushing with a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste is the best way to override the possibility of developing tooth cavities.

4. Restlessness

An allergy to the sugar, fat, milk powder, palm oil, soy lecithin, hazelnut paste or cocoa content in Nutella can cause restlessness in dogs. Your dog will obviously not be able to communicate clearly to you, so it is important that you watch closely to observe signs of restlessness after your dog has consumed a generous amount of the spread.

Once you observe a sign of restlessness, quickly consult the nearest veterinarian for help or, better still, visit the clinic, as there will be easy access to medical tools that can facilitate your pet’s healing process.

5. Diarrhoea

Aside from serious health issues developed from excess sugary food, pet owners should also be aware of the fact that their furry friends can also have diarrhoea as a result. One of the reasons why chocolate is not considered a dog-friendly food is because it can lead to discomfort, sickness, and stomach upset.

The ingestion of sugary foods should be limited for dogs, and their diets should be animal friendly and healthy as possible. Sugar is nothing but toxic to households and outdoor pets.

6. Diabetes

Taking responsibility for a diabetic dog doesn’t sound like fun, right? If it doesn’t, then try as much as possible to keep chocolate away from the prying eyes of pets. Let’s be honest, a dog will attempt to eat just about anything he finds sweet & appealing, and it’s not entirely his fault!

Diabetes can render a dog unable to process sugar completely because the pancreas produces very little or no amount of insulin. This can even result in high blood sugar levels and hence, long-term health deterioration for your pet.

Diabetes is a high-risk sickness for dogs, and its repercussions can be very scary; a dog might end up losing its life.

7. Increased Urination

The need to urinate increases in dogs due to sugary foods. If you fail to keep foods containing high sugar content away from your dog, be prepared to clean up dog pee every 10 minutes at home.

To know which food has high sugar content, always check the nutritional profile label at the back of the food pack.

8. Panting

If diabetic conditions are left untreated in dogs, there is a high risk of Diabetic KetoAcidosis (DKA); symptoms of DKA in dogs are chronic lethargy, vomiting, panting and a long or short-term loss of appetite.

9. Weight Gain & Obesity

Sugar is a large donor of unhealthy weight gain and obesity in humans and dogs. If you’re feeding or thinking of feeding your dog chocolate treats, it’s advisable to think twice before you take action because you will be putting your dog at great risk for a small amount of nutrients.

The body system in its entirety depreciates over time as a result of incessant increases in weight and obesity, laziness sets in, and then we suffer due to a lack of proper exercise. This is the same thing that happens to dogs.

While sugary treats are exciting, the happiness, wellness & health of a dog reduces to an extent for every sweet treat offered.

10. Hyperactivity

While hyperactivity may not be a bad sugar consumption effect in humans, it is very bad for dogs. Dogs may tend to exhibit signs of anxiety, fear, and violent behaviour as a result of the sugar content consumed.

Specific Ingredients And Their Harmful Effects

1. Chocolate, as we all know, contains a stimulant called theobromine, which is extracted from cocoa plants. Only humans can ingest this stimulant and metabolise it easily without going through any sort of allergic reaction.

On the other hand, the stimulant causes dogs to experience increased heart rate and panting, agitation, anxiety, internal bleeding, seizures, obesity, digestive issues & vomiting.

2. Powdered milk is another ingredient in Nutella that can cause toxic effects on dogs. Some of these furry fellas are either lactose intolerant or lack the digestive enzyme needed for milk digestion.

Hence, feeding the Nutella creates room for frequent stooling, diarrhoea, upset stomach & most especially, gas.

3. Hazelnuts

Hazelnut in its original form (Hard Nuts) is not metabolically toxic to the digestive system of dogs. Regardless, the risk possibilities of feeding your dog hazelnuts outnumber the health benefits.

A dog is susceptible to hazards like choking, loss of breath, coughing or possible blockage of a part of its body system because of the largeness of the nuts. They are also prone to being overweight since hazelnut is a fat-rich nuts.

4. Sugar is also an ingredient of Nutella that is not dog friendly; it can lead to all sorts of diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, internal bleeding, high blood sugar levels & cavities.

Signs And Symptoms Of Nutella Toxicity In Dogs

Just in case you may have left your dog unsupervised and a jar or spoon of Nutella was left within its vicinity, there are some signs you should look out for to confirm if your pet consumed some of the spread.

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Signs To Look Out For If Your Dog Has Consumed Nutella

1. An abrupt change in the food consumption pattern of your dog. This may be a loss of appetite or an adverse effect of the sugary treat on the digestive system.

2. The frequency (either more or less) and colour of your dog’s urine may change; there may also be a constant refusal to drink clean water, or the dog may start drinking excess water.

These signs may be an effect of Nutella on the dog’s kidney resulting in possible diabetes or an underlying allergic reaction.

3. Gas, stomach discomfort, and hyperglycemia are digestive system issues a dog can suffer from due to sugary food. Once you observe digestion difficulty, consult an expert for clinical advice.

4. Worm infestation, constipation, watery faeces, & vomiting, depending on the allergic reaction pattern of various dogs, are signs of an inflammation of the digestive system. This is definitely a sign to look out for, as it proves that your dog is reacting to the spread.

5. A reduction in participation in physical activity might be a sign of an underlying body illness. Do not overlook this sign if you know your furry friend has eaten hazelnut.

6. Skin irritation, hormonal imbalance in female dogs, heart diseases, pains in different parts of the body, blurry eyes, inability to hold urine, good bacteria imbalance, infections & sudden bleeding are all additional signs of allergic reaction to sugar.

7. The healing process of wounds may be slowed down, causing wounds to take forever to heal. This can cause consistent pain to your buddy and may be a symptom of diabetes.

8. The dog’s barking, growling, wincing, whining & pacing pattern may change as a result of a reaction or an illness.

All these signs, when observed, require immediate & proper medical attention.

Steps To Take If Your Dog Shows Signs Of Nutella Toxicity

If your buddy shows any sign of Nutella toxicity, it is recommended that regardless of the quantity eaten, a veterinarian should be consulted with immediate effect. The doctor may want to ask you some questions to evaluate the severity of the situation, such as:

How much chocolate spread did he consume?
Can you tell how long it has been since he ate Nutella?
Has his eating or drinking pattern changed since he ate Nutella?
Have you observed any abrupt change in behavioural patterns or any illnesses so far?
What behavioural patterns did you observe?
What illness did you observe?
How old is your dog? What is his weight? What breed is your dog?

After the medical assessment, if your answers regarding the dog are not severe enough for an urgent medical examination, advice on the Medicare treatment you can administer at home will be given to you.

He may advise you on procedures to induce vomiting so that your pet dog can easily throw up the toxic chocolate spread.
He may give a suggestion of activated charcoal administration to prevent the Nutella from absorbing fully.
Abnormal heart rate and tremor medications can also be suggested if your dog is experiencing any.
Medications for stooling and stomach upset can also be prescribed for you while at home.

Another step to take if you cannot reach the veterinary doctor of your pet is to contact the Pet Poison Hotline for help.

How To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Nutella

Your dog can be restricted from chocolates by applying proper storage techniques like storing the jars in very high kitchen cabinets, which will prevent them from eating potentially harmful foods.

Tips For Safe Storage Of Nutella And Other Potentially Harmful Foods

You can lengthen the life span of Nutella by preserving it in a cool, dry place away from light and heat.
Nutella should be stored tightly closed to push and keep out moisture and other contaminants.
Nutella should not be refrigerated as it will make it hard and unusable. Always use a clean utensil to avoid cross-contamination.

When food is properly stored, this can result in eating healthy, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Note: On special holidays, birthdays, Christmas, Anniversaries & Halloween, the possibility of Nutella chocolate presented as gifts is very high, so your dog should never be left alone in any room full of chocolates.

Your kids may also love to share chocolate among themselves or their friends; teach them about the negative impact of Nutella on a dog’s health. This way, they will be careful with Nutella when they do it around them.

Strategies For Teaching Your Dog To Avoid Certain Foods

You can also show your dog how to avoid foods that are harmful and toxic to him by training him. Here is a step-by-step strategy for training your dog to ignore certain food:

Place a treat on his favourite plate or in any room your dog is lying in
Call your dog’s attention to the treatment and command him to “leave it.”
Take a few steps backwards, and call your dog while moving backwards
If he obeys you and follows suit, reward him with more treats for obedience.
If he does not obey, you may have to train him over and over until he gets it.

While training your dog this way, it is important that you exercise patience with your furry friend.

Safe Alternatives To Nutella For Dogs

Seeing as Nutella and hazelnut is not entirely safe human food for dogs to consume, there are other human food treats that are safe for dogs to eat.

Other Treats That Are Safe For Dogs To Consume

Carrots
Fish
Fried or roasted chicken
Apples
Watermelon
Rice (Basmati or plain)
Cornbeef
Sardines
Hotdogs
Green beans
Green peas

Healthy Homemade Alternatives To Commercial Products Like Nutella

There are healthy homemade alternatives to substitutes for Nutella that provide as many nutrients as this dairy product. These include the following:

Chicken dog treats
Homemade Dog biscuits
Oatmeal biscuits
Sweet yam or potato fries
Delicious meatballs
Scrambled eggs

FAQ

What Happens If A Dog Eats Hazelnut?

Undigested hazelnuts can form an intestinal blockage in your pet’s digestive tract. While a dog usually gets through a small intestinal obstruction, a larger one can lead to your dog developing severe constipation, dehydration, and other complications.

Is It Safe To Eat Nutella?

Yes, Nutella is completely safe to eat. The health and well-being of consumers are an absolute priority for Ferrero.

How Much Chocolate Is In Nutella?

Nutella is a play on gianduja, a mixture of about 70% hazelnut paste and 30% chocolate. It was invented in Turin during Napoleon’s reign around 1800.

What Happens If A Dog Eats Chocolate?

The symptoms depend on the type and amount of chocolate ingested. In many dogs, the most common clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, and an increased heart rate. Worst case scenario, the symptoms can include muscle tremors, seizures and heart failure.

What Do I Do If My Dog Ate Nutella?

If your dog has eaten Nutella (or any type of chocolate) without your express permission, no matter how much, contact your local veterinarian or animal poison control centre as soon as possible.

Can I Give My Dog Nutella?

The answer is No. Nutella is not safe for dogs. Nutella is a nutty spread containing lots of cocoa powder. These are toxic to dogs due to their theobromine content. While a tablespoon of Nutella contains significantly less theobromine than a chocolate bar, keeping your dog away from this food is best.

Is Nutella A Chocolate Or Hazelnut?

Nutella is a sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread from the Italian company Ferrero, the third-largest chocolate producer in the world. It was made in Italy during World War II when Pietro Ferrero, a baker, added ground hazelnuts to a chocolate spread to make up for the country’s cocoa shortage.

Which Is Healthier, Nutella Or Peanut Butter?

Without hesitation, peanut butter is a “healthier” alternative. Peanut butter is low in sugar content, higher in protein and often lower in unhealthy fats. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) describes Nutella as having “more sugar and modified palm oil than hazelnuts”.

What Is Nutella Made Of?

Sugar, Palm oil, Hazelnuts (13%), Skimmed milk powder (8.7%), Fat-reduced cocoa (7.4%), Emulsifier: lecithins (soy), vanillin.

Can We Mix Nutella In Milk?

Start mixing the Nutella into the milk with a spoon. Stir until the Nutella is incorporated. As you stir, you should see the Nutella begin to melt with the heat of the milk. Continue stirring until the Nutella is completely melted and mixed with the milk.

Conclusion

If your furry friend ate a little amount of Nutella or Hazelnut – about less than one tablespoon containing a very small amount of calories and theobromine – he will be fine. Still, any unusual reactions observed should be reported to a veterinarian to guide you on how to handle the situation.

If your dog consumes Nutella unsupervised, find out if he consumed it excessively. If he did, consult a veterinarian immediately for his medical opinion. Excessive consumption of human food sugar & fats can deteriorate your dog’s digestive system.

Nutella should be kept away in a safe place from your pet so as to prevent your dog from eating it. If you must incorporate treats in your dog’s diet, there are safe alternatives to Nutella and hazelnut, which can provide health benefits and a balanced diet to your buddy.

Other dog owners you are associated with, either by friendship or family, will also benefit greatly by reading this article; we are sure they will appreciate it if you share this article with them to learn more about the impact of chocolate on their dogs.

Has your dog(s) ever accidentally consumed Nutella? Have you ever given your dog(s) Nutella treats? How did he react to the chocolate spread? You can let us know in the comment section below. If you have any further inquiries, do not hesitate to ask, your question will be attended to as soon as possible.

Links to more resources on dog nutrition and safety……

Can Dogs Eat Nutella: Understanding The Impact Of Nutella On Your Dog’s Health