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Many people use protein bars as a way to stay healthy, cut calories, and ensure they get the nutrients they need. We’re pretty sure if you have a dog and he sees you eating a protein bar, he will want you to share it. But can dogs eat protein bars?
Has your dog eaten a protein bar? Are you worried the protein bar will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together information about protein bars and whether they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is a Protein Bar?
Protein bars are nutrition bars that contain a high level of protein and carbohydrates. They’re primarily marketed to people who want an easy source of protein that doesn’t require cooking.
There are many varieties of protein bars available; some are snacks, others are meal replacements, and others provide a human with more energy.
While protein bars can be healthy for humans, what about dogs? Are protein bars safe for dogs?
Protein Bars & Dogs
Protein bars can be dangerous to dogs because of the ingredients the bars may contain. For instance, many protein bars are made with nuts (some of which are toxic or can make a dog very sick), high amounts of fat, chocolate, and other ingredients.
What’s more, the bars may contain artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs. There are also protein bars that contain chocolate or chocolate chips! Chocolate is also highly toxic to dogs.
Protein bars made with chocolate usually don’t contain enough chocolate to be toxic to a dog. However, the bar could still cause your dog to experience unpleasant side effects, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
So, it is possible a protein bar could make a dog very sick.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Protein Bar Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten a protein bar:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Excessive thirst & urination
- Abnormal heart rate
- And more
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency. Be sure to read the product packaging or give the product name to the vet. They need to know the ingredients of the protein bar in order to provide your fur baby with the right treatment.
Treatment of Protein Bar Ingestion in Dogs
Treatment of protein bar ingestion depends on the bar’s ingredients, your dog’s symptoms, and the severity of his symptoms. The vet may need to decontaminate your dog’s system by inducing vomiting or using activated charcoal. The dog may also require an IV for fluids and medications.
In some cases, if the dog’s symptoms are severe, he may need to be hospitalized until his condition is stable.
As you can see, protein bars can be dangerous for dogs. So, it’s best to keep these out of your dog’s reach at all times. Prevention is always the best medicine!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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