Most people have chocolate in their DNA, but is it okay to share a piece of fudge with your furry friend? Or did some cunning person come up with a theory that dogs should not have it so that humans don’t have to share? In real sense, fudge contains many toxic ingredients to dogs that can result in certain health complications and in some cases, can even be fatal.
Dogs can not eat fudge that has been made for human consumption, as most fudge contains ingredients such as chocolate that is toxic for our pets. Fudge is also full of sugar and fat, which can be too rich for a dog’s digestive system and can lead to them becoming obese.
This article explains the correlation between fudge and dogs, what happens when they ingest a piece, how much chocolate is too much, and the best type of fudge to feed your dog. So why not dive deeper and explore more about what fudge contains and how it can affect your dog.
If you are worried that your furry friend is missing out on eating fudge, then you can always make your own dog safe candy. We recommend trying this tuna fudge recipe for dogs.
What happens when a dog eats fudge?
Although dogs love eating sweet, sticky foods, you should not allow your dog to ingest fudge especially chocolate fudge. The clinical complications for your dog if they consume fudge will vary depending on the size.
For instance, the outcome of 10 ounces of chocolate fudge on small dogs such as a Cavapoo or Cockapoo can be fatal, while a Bull Mastiff will only experience minor stomach problems.
Generally, the darker the chocolate the greater the threat for your dog. And whilst white chocolate and milk chocolate contain less theobromine in comparison to dark chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder are particularly dangerous for our dogs.
Find out more about what happens when dogs eat chocolate here.
As humans, we find fudge delicious, but we should be aware of how it can affect our dogs health. After ingesting chocolate, your dog will likely begin to show signs of poisoning normally in the form of stomach pain and restlessness symptoms.
The impact of chocolate poisoning will vary depending on the size of the dog and symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and even seizures might appear after several minutes or hours and last for several days.
If you suspect your dog has eaten fudge or you find evidence that could lead to chocolate toxicity, then you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
For most dogs it is a simple case of what went in, must come out, so the first form of treatment that your vet will want to explore for your dog, is to induce vomiting.
What does fudge contain?
Dogs should not consume high amounts of fats, sugars, and harmful compounds. Fudge contains condensed milk, chocolate, butter, cooking sugar, vanilla extract, and methylxanthines such as theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to any dog breed.
Chocolate poisoning can cause severe symptoms and may even lead to death if consumed in a lethal dose.
Is fudge considered chocolate?
Fudge can be categorized as a type of chocolate, but really it is a stand alone form of candy. Depending on what ingredients the fudge contains, be it maple sugar fudge, peanut butter fudge or chocolate fudge, will determine how it is categorized.
What does theobromine do to dogs?
Cocoa is the main ingredient of chocolate fudge. It contains caffeine and theobromine. Since it’s in smaller concentrations, caffeine is not that toxic. However, theobromine takes longer to metabolize in dogs, leading to chocolate toxicity.
Theobromine from the chocolate content affects a dogs respiratory system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system and has a diuretic effect. Early signs of chocolate poisoning include polydipsia, hematemesis, and vomiting.
Can dogs have white fudge?
White fudge is less harmful for dogs. It contains vanilla, cream cheese, milk chocolate, cocoa butter, and small amounts of theobromine. On average there is about 0.25mg of theobromine per ounce.
You should avoid feeding your dog any chocolate candy and other sugary things for several reasons:
• It is rich in fat, which may cause signs of chocolate toxicity such as diarrhoea and vomiting. If you feed your pup with white chocolate for extended periods, it may be prone to contracting pancreatitis.
• It is rich in sugars, which can cause clinical issues such as urinary tract infections, weight gain, and diabetes.
Can dogs eat peanut butter fudge?
Caramel or peanut butter is not healthy for your dog. It is rich in protein, natural fats and also contains small traces of theobromine.
You may see mild to moderate symptoms of poisoning depending on the concentration of cocoa and the amount ingested. Mostly, you will see signs such as vomiting, hyperactivity, restlessness, diarrhea, and hypertension.
FAQs
What type of confectionery is fudge?
Fudge is a sugar candy made by mixing milk, chocolate, butter, and sugar. In texture, crystalline fudge falls between hard caramels and fondant icing. The delicious chocolate chip contains chips of sweetened chocolate throughout it to add flavor.
Unlike candy, fudges are usually not crunchy on the outside but still chewy on the inside.
How much fudge is too much for dogs?
Chocolate fudge is not suitable for your dog, regardless of the quantity. However, some levels might be too harmful to your pet. On average, 20mg of theobromine for every two pounds can have a significant impact. Around 400mg of theobromine can be considered too much for a 20-pound dog.
Beyond that, the effect can be fatal. This means serious complications will appear when a dog takes a 50g bar.
What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs?
Chocolate poisoning for dogs is a serious issue that can have many effects. The severity and the length of time your dog will be affected by it can vary by type and amount of chocolate ingested.
Some common symptoms of chocolate poisoning include:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Increased heart rate
• Restlessness
• Excessive panting
• Excessive thirst and coughing
In severe cases, serious symptoms might arise, which include:
• Heart failure
• Seizures
• Muscle tremors
In extreme cases, chocolate poisoning can also increase the risk of your dog developing hypothermia and hyperthermia.
To find out more about how to recognise the clinical signs and symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs and the quantities that are considered dangerous for your pet, check out our blog ‘Can my Cavapoo eat chocolate?‘.
Are fudge brownies toxic to dogs?
Most pet owners are responsible and do their best to keep their pets safe from toxins. However, there will always be the case that a dog becomes poisoned by something they have eaten or pawed.
Brownies are also toxic to dogs under certain circumstances. If your dog eats a brownie, they could experience weakness, tremors, excessive thirst or urination, vomiting, muscle twitching.
Ingesting large amounts of brownies can cause severe symptoms such as arrhythmia and seizures. On most occasions, symptoms may take up to 6 hours to appear on your pup. It is essential not to leave baked goods unattended especially around pets with sensitive noses!
Can dogs eat ice cream?
Like chocolate, ice cream is not a healthy treat for your dog. It contains high lactose levels, which might be hard for dogs to handle. Although small amounts of ice cream treats will not land you at the vet, you should not make it a regular treat.
Even breeds that can digest dairy products faster, should not be given vanilla ice cream. Most brands contain artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, which may be toxic to your furry companion.
Therefore we suggest that on a hot day you stick to treats made specifically for your furry friend such as dog ice cream.
Conclusion
As a dog owner, you should know how to treat your canine friend after they consume some chocolate. This will help eliminate any ill effects.
Although it’s not ideal to give pooches chocolate fudge, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find alternative doggy treats. You can consider using dog-friendly chocolate made from carob or even try making your own tuna fudge for dogs.
If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate fudge, then you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
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