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My Dog Ate An Oreo [What Do You Need To Do Now?]

Oreos are so tasty. I personally cannot stop when I start. And while I may feel a little sick after a while, that’s about as far as it goes. But what about dogs? What can happen if they eat a single Oreo, or worse, the packet? Here is what you need to know and how you should respond.

So, what should you do if your dog ate an oreo? If your dog has eaten a single Oreo, they should be okay. They may experience some digestive upset and will require close monitoring for the next 24-48 hours, but there is little you will likely need to do. If several or a pack of Oreos are consumed, however, then you may need to contact a vet.

And breathe.

Thankfully, there should be no need to fear for the worst.

In most cases, of course.

While this doesn’t mean you can, or should, feed your dog an Oreo, what it does mean is that in most cases, dogs should not be too badly affected.

We are talking about a singular Oreo for healthy average-sized dogs, though.

The truth is; not all dogs will respond the same.

Some may experience negative side effects from one Oreo; others may be fine.

What To Do Now Your Dog Has Eaten An Oreo

First and foremost, do not panic.

Remain calm, and begin by investigating to try and find out how many Oreos your dog has consumed.

If your dog has only had one Oreo, then chances are there is nothing you need to do other than closely monitor and observe your dog.

See how they respond over time.

Any side effects will likely arise within 6-12 hours following consumption of any food. So it’s important that you remain vigilant during this time.

You want to look out for symptoms such as:

  • General lethargy,
  • Lack of appetite,
  • Bloating,
  • Gas,
  • Diarrhea,
  • Vomiting.

These kinds of things.

If you do begin to notice them, then it is advised to contact your vet.

The same advice goes to anyone reading who knows, or later finds, that their dog has eaten multiple Oreos, or perhaps the pack.

Don’t hesitate here; it’s better to be safe than sorry.

And while Oreos are actually relatively low in chocolate – they are actually made up of quite a few ingredients that may not sit too well with your dog.

As we will soon see.

So, remain cautious.

Try to understand what your dog has consumed.

And be extra vigilant over the next day or so.

Ensure they are eating appropriate food during this time and ensure they get plenty of water on board!

Why Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Oreos

Oreos offer nothing nutritionally to a dog, and due to high amounts of sugar, fat, and other additives, will likely result in digestive upset if consumed in too large of a quantity.

And it doesn’t take much.

Anything over 2-3 Oreos and your dog could be in trouble.

So what about one Oreo – pretty harmless, right?

Well, even then, it’s just not a good idea.

Even a single Oreo can cause issues with dogs.

And always remember, there is nothing to gain from it.

Dogs will not ‘enjoy’ it as we do.

And anything they do gain from it will quickly be replaced by potential pain and suffering.

Thankfully, there is a very small amount of chocolate in Oreos – which is the most toxic ingredient for dogs.

Still, if we look at the ingredient list, we soon see why Oreos do not serve a place, in any quantity, in the diet of our dogs.

This is the ingredient list for the most common variety of Oreos.

Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}, Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}, Folic Acid), Sugar, Palm And/Or Canola Oil, Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Leavening (Baking Soda And/Or Calcium Phosphate), Salt, Soy Lecithin, Chocolate, Artificial Flavor. Contains: Wheat, Soy.

Of course, there are various different types and varieties of Oreo on the market.

And the ingredients may differ a little.

Either way, you can easily see why Oreos should be off-limits.

Sugar, Palm And/Or Canola Oil, Cocoa, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Chocolate…

I’m not here to bash your dietary choices, by the way, and an Oreo cookie is a great treat every now and again.

But we have to consider our dogs here.

Besides, they do not digest foods the way we do.

And they have their own unique sensitivities, certain substances are toxic for them and not us, and the doses for toxicity are generally much lower for them.

Especially in smaller breeds.

Just don’t entertain the idea.

There are much better treats for dogs out there.

And if you are really insistent on offering your dog a Cookie, why not pick up a box of these natural treats on Amazon 👇

Three Dog Bakery Classic Cremes Carob with Peanut Butter Filling, 13 oz
  • age_range_description: adult
  • Healthy dog treats; no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
  • Oven baked with whole wheat flour and natural vanilla, carob and peanut butter
  • Natural ingredients provide overall health and vitality; aids in nutrient absorption
  • Made in the USA

In fact, some customers even mentioned their likeness to Oreos in their review!

How Many Oreos Are Bad For A Dog?

No amount of Oreos are good for a dog, and they should never be voluntarily given to them. That being said, it is likely that several need to be eaten for a dog to begin to suffer from adverse side effects, such as digestive upset or diarrhea. 

‘How many Oreos are bad’ – that’s actually the wrong way of looking at it.

It shouldn’t be how many you can get away with.

Besides, as we have mentioned above, Oreos do dogs no good!

Sure, there is the odd vitamin added here and there, but all of these, and more, can be obtained naturally through their regular and healthy diet.

And then we have individual variances by dog.

1 Oreo can be very bad for one dog. It can be benign for another.

But you will never know that ahead of feeding.

So, avoid them.

It’s not worth the risk. Trust me.

Can An Oreo Kill A Dog?

It is incredibly unlikely that a singular oreo would kill a dog. However, in very unwell dogs who are particularly frail and delicate, we cannot rule out the possibility. Or, at the least, a dog may die as a result of the issues the consumption of Oreos brings about.

We are talking about incredibly slim chances here.

But, if a dog was in a very vulnerable state, and eating an Oreo leads to diarrhea and subsequent severe dehydration, there is the possibility of death.

We’re talking about a dog that is not given adequate attention and support here, though.

For the most part, you should not worry about an Oreo killing your dog.

A packet, you may want to be a bit more forthcoming with the vet.

But either way, this is generally a good approach.

If you have any concerns or start to notice adverse effects following the consumption of any food – make the call.

They can, at the very least, advise you on what you can do personally to support your dog.

In more extreme cases, they may need to provide some treatment or help your dog flush substances out of their system.

Unlikely with Oreos, but still a possibility.

Finally

Thankfully, if your dog has eaten an Oreo, they should be fine.

In fact, there are worse things that your dog could have consumed, such as straight chocolate or even a brownie.

Nevertheless, pay attention to the use of the word should here.

Not all dogs will react as fortunately.

A small Chihuahua will have a harder time than a Great Pyrenees, for instance.

And then there are variances within dogs too; age, weight, hydration status, how much they have already eaten, etc.

This is why you need to remain cautious and vigilant.

Remember, a vet is only a phone call away.

Concerned or wondering what other things your dog can/cannot eat. Check out my related guides below: