The simple answer to “can a dog eat Reese’s Peanut Butter cups?” is “no.” Never give your dog any kind of chocolate. A dog might survive exposure to a very small amount, but the effects would be devastating over time. Because of this, the person’s heart rate increases dramatically, and in extreme cases, heart failure may result.
Like the type and quantity of chocolate, the intensity of the chocolate can have a significant impact. The amount of chocolate that poses a threat depends greatly on the dog’s size. Dogs shouldn’t be given chocolate in any form or quantity, according to the vast majority of veterinarians.
Can dogs eat Reese’s peanut butter cups?
It is possible for dogs to consume peanut butter cups made by Reese’s, and it is likely that they would if given the opportunity. But they shouldn’t eat them, because chocolate is poisonous to dogs.
Milk chocolate, which is what you’ll find in these cups, isn’t quite as bad for you as dark chocolate. If your dog drinks just one cup, she’ll probably just get sick.
Theobromine, a substance present in chocolate, has a mild stimulating effect, similar to that of caffeine. Caffeine is also found in chocolate, and dogs should not consume either. However, it’s best to keep your dog away from theobromine than caffeine, which is still bad for him.
It is generally agreed that humans can benefit from low levels of caffeine, but that high levels can be dangerous. Dogs shouldn’t have any theobromine at all. This substance has a similar effect to caffeine on humans, but it is extremely harmful.
Theobromine and caffeine are much more toxic to dogs than they are to humans because dogs cannot metabolize these substances in the same way that humans can.
The dog can reabsorb theobromine, which means the drug is not toxic to the animal. It circulates in the body for a very long time and, essentially, keeps replicating.
Besides the theobromine, other components of chocolate and peanut butter are also toxic to dogs.
In addition to the physical discomfort, your pet may experience from the chocolate, the fat and sugar are also more difficult to digest. Your dog’s teeth will also suffer from a diet high in sugar or fat. There is absolutely nothing healthy for your dog in a peanut butter and chocolate treat.
Milk chocolate, which is found in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, will make your dog sick but is unlikely to be fatal. Per one ounce, milk chocolate contains roughly 50mg of theobromine.
Extreme overconsumption of even the darkest gourmet dark chocolate (about 400mg per ounce) can be fatal. If a 50-pound dog ate just an ounce of dark chocolate, it could be fatal, while the same amount of milk chocolate would make the dog very sick.
Take the dog’s size into account. When it comes to chocolate, a giant dog of 100 pounds can handle much more than a toy breed of 10 pounds.
What happens if my dog eats Reese’s peanut butter cups?
Sometime after consuming a Reese’s peanut butter cup, your dog may start to feel ill. It could take hours or even days for symptoms to begin. Given that it is milk chocolate and only a single piece was consumed, it’s possible that medical attention is unnecessary.
The most common symptoms of chocolate poisoning:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- an increase in both thirst and urination
- panting
- restlessness
- Accelerating heart rate
In extreme cases, your dog could start to have more serious symptoms:
- vibrations in the muscles,
- seizures,
- cardiogenic shock.
- Chocolate poisoning in dogs can also lead to a bout of excessive coughing, which can put the dog at risk for developing pneumonia.
If your dog eats even a little bit of chocolate, it could cause stomach upset. It’s likely that you’ll have to deal with some nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If they haven’t eaten recently, it’s possible that’s all that will happen to them.
Your dog is very fortunate if that’s the worst that happens to him. Even so, the dog probably still had a dangerously high heart rate. Consequences to your pet’s health over time may reduce its lifespan.
Seizures are one of the more serious side effects of eating too much or too much powerful chocolate. Theobromine can be reabsorbed from the bladder, giving the drinker a second, even more toxic dose of the substance.
As the amount of theobromine, the poison, in their system increases the longer they go without treatment, it is all the more crucial that they receive it as soon as possible. Extreme chocolate consumption can cause symptoms to last for days because of how long the substance stays in the bloodstream.
Confusing carob
Carob is another substance that fools the eye and tastes like chocolate but is actually something else. Carob can be used as a chocolate replacement in artisanal and gourmet dog treats.
It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your dog’s health, so double check that the chocolate he ate wasn’t actually carob. Your vet may suggest keeping an eye on Fido to see if any symptoms emerge if you’re still unsure which it was. If nothing untoward occurs, then it was just carob and you can rest easy.
For the most part, dogs can safely consume treats made with either white chocolate or very small amounts of milk chocolate. However, almost all vets still say that dogs shouldn’t have any kind of chocolate.
What to do if my dog eats Reese’s peanut butter cups?
You should immediately contact your vet or a pet poison hotline if you find out your dog has eaten chocolate, especially if it was something like a Reese’s peanut butter cup. Your vet will be able to tell you whether or not your pet’s condition has worsened due to the chocolate poisoning, and what kind of treatment they will require.
If your dog is medium-sized or larger, and it ate only one cup, it might just get an upset stomach and feel fine without any medical attention. However, if your dog ate a lot of chocolate, the sooner you begin treatment, the better off he or she will be.
It’s possible your vet will tell you to take your pet to an emergency animal hospital. In an effort to dilute the poison, intravenous fluids may be given.
Taking long, brisk walks can help stimulate urination, which in turn helps cleanse the body. The veterinarian may induce vomiting or administer activated charcoal to reduce or halt theobromine absorption.
The first thing you should do is contact your vet to find out if the dog has consumed an unsafe amount of chocolate. The size of the dog, the chocolate’s intensity, and the amount of chocolate all play a role. A veterinarian can use that data to determine if additional care is necessary.
It’s recommended that you observe your dog for at least a few hours to get a sense of its personality and habits. They may have to use the restroom outside more frequently than usual.
They should be taken for walks to encourage urination and system flushing if they are not showing any signs of illness. Once you and your vet have discussed the dog’s symptoms, you should keep an eye on it. You can ask your vet for advice on what to look for and when to bring the dog in for an exam.
If there was a significant amount of chocolate involved, the pet owner should take the pet to the vet as soon as possible. If a dangerous dose was consumed, your dog has a better chance of recovering the sooner treatment begins.
Most dog owners are responsible enough to ignore the numerous warnings about chocolate and its potential dangers to canines. Thus, chocolate-related deaths are extremely uncommon. Sadly, chocolate poisoning is a common occurrence in canines. They will most likely take it if it is left within their reach.
Get in touch with your vet if you suspect that your dog has consumed chocolate. Theobromine is toxic to dogs at a rate of 20 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) or 2.2 milligrams per pound (lb). Severe symptoms appear at a dose of 40-50 mg of theobromine per kilogram of dog weight.
Although seeking veterinary help as soon as you realize your dog has eaten chocolate is important, prevention is always preferable. Keep your dog far away from your chocolate supply. Keep in mind that if it has any trace of a recognizable scent, a dog will eat it.
They might be motivated to work harder just by being near the chocolate. For instance, a dog who can smell chocolate would see through a Christmas present under the tree. Don’t give your dog any chocolate, and do what you can to keep it out of reach.
How many Reese’s peanut butter cups are too many for a dog?
Even a single Reese’s peanut butter cup is probably too much for a dog of any size, according to veterinarians. Almost all veterinarians agree that it’s not a good idea to give a dog chocolate or peanut butter, let alone a treat like a Reese’s peanut butter cup.
If it’s a big enough dog, it might be able to eat one and just get sick. If done frequently, even that is bad for the dog and may lead to health issues.
While consuming a whole one may make a small dog sick, it is unlikely to be fatal. There is usually not enough caffeine or other stimulants in milk chocolate to cause serious health problems. However, even one peanut butter cup is probably too much for a small dog.
Every single one of us wishes the best for our canine companions. As a corollary, we hope they find success and fulfillment. If you are eating a Reese’s peanut butter cup, your dog may be tempted to get a taste. Sometimes people will look at you pitifully in the hopes that you’ll give in to their demands.
It’s important to remember that feeding your dog any kind of chocolate is not good for them. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, so you shouldn’t feed it to yours. You should consider yourself lucky if they just get sick to their stomach and throw up what they ate. It is the owner’s responsibility to make the best decision for their dog. You should never make the mistake of giving them chocolate.
Your dog might enjoy a Reese’s peanut butter cup as much as the rest of us. But the dog has no clue that they are poisonous. Humans have the responsibility of preventing their dogs from consuming harmful substances.
Some snacks aren’t ideal for your dog, but they won’t do any real damage either. Examples include baked goods like bread and cookies. Nonetheless, chocolate is unquestionably harmful to your dog and will have negative consequences.
How sick your dog gets from eating chocolate depends on its size and how much it ate. Scientific research indicates that your dog’s heart muscle deteriorates with prolonged exposure to theobromine, even at levels too low to cause any noticeable symptoms.
You risk your pet developing heart failure as a result, which will cut its life short. This is why even a large dog shouldn’t get any chocolate at all. It can be toxic in small doses and lead to heart problems in larger amounts.