Does your dog seem a little “off” after eating a Whimzee dental treat (or two)? Perhaps they vomited, had diarrhea, or just lacked their usual pep and appetite.
It’s a troubling thought when a treat you thought was safe causes distress.
While Whimzees are marketed as natural and wholesome, the truth is that some dogs just don’t get on with them.
So, if you suspect Whimzees may have caused your dog to feel unwell, don’t fret.
Here, you’ll discover the reasons why your dog could have reacted poorly, what to do about it, which alternative dental chews are gentler on sensitive tummies and how to properly transition over.
First, let’s dive into the potential causes for those adverse reactions to Whimzees and how to pinpoint if your dog has a sensitivity.
Getting to the root of the issue is step one!
Why Some Dogs May React Adversely to Whimzees
Dogs might experience adverse reactions to Whimzees due to individual sensitivities, such as allergies to specific ingredients or overconsumption of the treat.
Whimzees are primarily composed of ingredients like potato starch, glycerin, and dried yeast, among others.
Each ingredient, while generally safe for canine consumption, could pose potential challenges:
Ingredient Sensitivity
Like humans, dogs can develop sensitivities or allergies to any ingredient.
Common triggers include proteins like beef, dairy, chicken, or grains like wheat or corn.
With Whimzees, the main ingredients to watch out for are:
- Yeast – Dogs with yeast allergies may experience itchy skin, ear infections, or gastrointestinal issues when consuming yeast-containing foods. The yeast in Whimzees could cause these symptoms.
- Malt extract – Derived from barley, malt extract contains gluten. Dogs with gluten sensitivities may experience diarrhea, vomiting, or skin irritation after consuming treats with malt extract.
- Lupine – While less common, lupine allergies in dogs can cause gastrointestinal distress. Lupine is sometimes used as a wheat substitute in dog foods, but an allergic reaction is possible.
Overconsumption
Overindulging in any treat, regardless of its makeup, can result in tummy troubles for dogs.
Whimzees contain a significant amount of dietary fiber from powdered cellulose.
Too much fiber at once can lead to digestive upset like diarrhea or vomiting.
An overload of calories and nutrients from too many treats is also difficult for some dogs to digest efficiently.
Limiting Whimzees based on your individual dog’s nutritional needs is wise.
Natural Colorants
While the colorants used in Whimzees are natural, derived from alfalfa and paprika extracts, there’s always a chance that a dog might react to them.
Steps To Take If You Believe Whimzees Made Your Dog Sick
If you suspect that Whimzees might be causing distress or sickness in your dog, it’s vital to respond quickly and appropriately. Here’s a step-by-step checklist to guide you through such a situation:
- Stop Feeding Whimzees Immediately: If you notice any signs of distress or sickness after your dog consumes a Whimzee, refrain from giving them any more.
- Monitor Your Dog’s Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your dog for any symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive itching, or lethargy. Documenting these signs can be helpful for future reference.
- Provide Plenty of Fresh Water: Ensure your dog has access to plenty of clean water to stay hydrated, especially if they’re showing symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.
- Withhold Food for 12-24 Hours: If your dog is experiencing gastrointestinal distress, consider withholding food for a short period to give their stomach a rest. However, ensure they still have access to water.
- Introduce a Bland Diet: After the fasting period, reintroduce food slowly with a bland diet. Boiled chicken and rice are usually good choices.
- Avoid Giving Other Treats or New Foods (At First): Stick to the bland diet and avoid introducing any new foods or treats until your dog’s symptoms have completely resolved.
When To See A Vet
If your dog’s symptoms persist beyond 24 hours or seem concerningly severe, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian promptly. Don’t wait it out.
Your vet can help determine whether your dog is likely having an allergic reaction, struggling with an ingredient sensitivity, or dealing with an unrelated health issue that simply coincided with eating the treat.
Signs that warrant a vet visit include:
- Vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
- Lethargy, weakness, or loss of appetite
- Swollen face or hives
- Itchy skin, obsessive licking
- Wheezing or other respiratory signs
- Not drinking enough water
Your vet will want to rule out potential underlying conditions like pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other issues that require specific treatment.
Allergy testing may be recommended to pinpoint if an ingredient like yeast, potato, or lupine triggers an adverse response. This can help you avoid problematic foods in the future.
Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your dog’s health.
Don’t hesitate to call your vet, even if you aren’t sure Whimzees are to blame.
Your vet can provide guidance on how to move forward and ensure your dog feels their best again soon.
Alternative Dental Treat Recommendations
Going forward, now you know your dog has reacted poorly to Whimzees, I would recommend that you look at some other crunchy dental treats.
Here are the ones I recommend instead.
Beef Liver Bark
Beef Liver Bark treats from Just Food For Dogs offer a crunchy, naturally cleansing option.
These single-ingredient treats are made only with beef liver, with no preservatives or additives meaning your dog is unlikely to react poorly too them.
The hard texture helps scrape away tartar and plaque. And they go down so well too; beef liver is highly palatable for most dogs meaning there is no waste!
Salmon Bark Treats
For dogs with more sensitive stomachs, Salmon Bark treats contain just two ingredients: wild-caught salmon and tapioca starch.
The limited ingredients make these a good choice for dogs with food allergies or intolerances.
This way you can offer these treats with confidence, knowing they are extremely unlikely to react.
Salmon provides omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health, so there are other health benefits on offer too
Ultimately, single-ingredient and limited-ingredient treats are the way to go for any dog who suffers from food intolerances.
Tips For Introducing New Treats
If your dog had an adverse reaction to Whimzees, here are some tips for transitioning to new treats:
- When switching, only offer a small amount of the new treat at first to test for any reactions. Give 1-2 treats per day to start.
- Choose an alternative dental treat that has limited ingredients, like single-ingredient beef liver bark. This can help identify intolerances.
- If stools stay firm and no adverse reactions occur after a few days, you can continue increasing number of the new treat, or amount per serving, you offer.
- Keep an eye out for any reactions as you switch treats. Consult your vet if concerns arise.
Taking it slowly when transitioning foods allows your dog’s system to readjust without further stomach upset.
Patience is key!
Finally
If your dog has had an adverse reaction to Whimzees dental treats, then it’s generally best to avoid them going forward and look for alternative treats instead.
While you could try slowly reintroducing Whimzees later on, since you now know your dog is sensitive, it doesn’t make sense to continue offering them when there are other options out there your dog can better tolerate.
The good news is there are plenty of other tasty dental chews out there that can support your dog’s dental health without the ingredients that seemed to disagree with them.
Single-ingredient options like beef liver bark or limited-ingredient treats like salmon bark can reduce the chances of another reaction.
Brands like Just Food For Dogs offer treats made with thoughtfully sourced, high-quality ingredients tailored for dogs with sensitivities.
They check all the boxes: human-grade ingredients, limited formulas focused on nutrition, and veterinarian approval.
And their delicious crunchy texture to clean teeth and gums.
You can even set up an auto-ship subscription so their treats are conveniently delivered right to your door at the frequency you choose.
While it can be frustrating when your dog doesn’t tolerate an easily accessible and largely affordable treat, it’s just one of those things.
Related Questions
Can Whimzees cause vomiting?
Whimzees can cause vomiting in some dogs due to ingredient sensitivity, overconsumption, or individual allergies.
Are Whimzees good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Whimzees are generally not the best treat for dogs with sensitive stomachs, due to several potential allergens being present. That being said, some dogs with sensitive stomachs are able to consume them without issue.
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.