Dog owners who want and like to prepare meals for their dogs will probably want to know the answer to one of the most important questions. Can dogs eat vanilla extract? The topic is a bit complicated and can be a severe mistake if you don’t know all the facts we are going to share with you. In general, this can be very bad or safe, depending on the ingredient you are using.
What is Vanilla Extract?
You all want to know the fastest answer possible to the main question here. Can dogs eat vanilla extract? First, you would have to know what this is. It is a solution. It is made when vanilla pods are macerated and percolated in the ethanol solution. You can find it in many cakes, cookies and so much more. Basically, it is a sweet ingredient that can make any treat much better. It is safe for humans and there are no issues telling otherwise.
It can be similar to almond extract and we can see the same thing referring here. An interesting fact is that when cooking, you can replace vanilla extract with almond extract. Use ratio 1:1.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Extract?
No, odgs must not eat vanilla extract. It contains alcohol or ethanol if you like. As a matter of fact, this extract is 35% pure alcohol. This is toxic to dogs and hence you must avoid all the unbaked or uncooked foods that have traces of vanilla extract in them. You can also see imitation vanilla extracts on the market. These are bad as well. They contain the same amount of alcohol hence they are something you must avoid at all costs.
An interesting fact is that vanilla extract that comes without any alcohol is available. It is alcohol-free vanilla extract and you can get it in most grocery stores. This option has glycerin instead of alcohol and it is safe for dogs. You may know that glycerin is present in dog food and it adds flavors and texture to the food without any risks or issues.
Once again, we can see a problem. Vegetable glycerin is safe for dogs and vanilla extract comes with this version of glycerin there will be no issues. On the other hand, the bio-fuel processing process makes glycerin as well. Some brands can use this type of glycerin in vanilla extract. It is bad and it is something you must avoid at all costs.
Cookies With Vanilla Extract Are Safe
Surprisingly, cookies or cakes that are made using vanilla extract are safe for dogs. The alcohol will evaporate during baking hence your dog can consume these treats in moderation. But, look after other ingredients and additions to your treats. There are a lot of ingredients that are dangerous for dogs and can even be fatal.
There is no need to add that cookies and cakes have a lot of sugar and calories. These two are not ideal for dogs and as such you will want to feed them in very small amounts to your dog. Honestly, it is better to avoid cookies of this kind completely. There are much better options out there. For instance, you can use fruits. Dogs love them and they are safe and even beneficial to the overall health of a pet.
What To Do If Your Dog Consumes A Lot Of Vanilla Extract
If you have a big dog who consumes a small amount of vanilla extract, he will be fine but you still have to take him to a vet. This is mandatory due to the presence of alcohol in the extract. Dogs are unable to tolerate alcohol hence professional help is mandatory. In general, a dog who comes in contact with even a small amount of alcohol will show certain symptoms. In general, he will show signs like:
- High body temperature
- Excessive panting
- Vomiting
- Disorientation
- Restlessness
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
As you can see these are all severe symptoms and a vet will have to start treatment and eliminate alcohol from the blood of your pet. You need to take him to the vet immediately. If the vet clinic is closed you must take him to the emergency pet center. Now you can assume how bad this is!
We know that this doesn’t have to be a deadly issue and most dogs can recover on their own. But, some cannot. This depends on the age, size, and health of a dog alongside the amount of alcohol he consumes. Vanilla extract does contain alcohol hence if a dog consumes it, he will still experience alcohol poisoning. In other words, you still have to take him to a vet.
If your dog consumed alcohol up to 120 minutes ago, a vet will induce vomiting. This is obvious. It will remove all the alcohol from the stomach and it will help your pet recover. But, it is mandatory to provide the dog with a lot of fresh air and help him readjust his body temperature. Most dogs die from alcohol poisoning due to low blood sugar, low body temperature, and respiratory distress.
In some cases, a vet must perform tracheal intubation. This is mandatory in order to allow the dog to breathe. IV fluids are almost always mandatory. These should help the kidneys remove the alcohol, provide fluids to the dog and also return the urine outflow. A vet will probably use medications that will prevent or eliminate seizures. If there are signs of dermal exposure a vet will shampoo his coat.
The Final Word
Can dogs eat vanilla extract? No, they must not consume it. At the end of a day, you will want to provide only 100% healthy and beneficial food to your pet. Vanilla extract is not one of them. It is dangerous and it can be toxic and fatal to a dog. There are a lot of alternatives and better options out there so choose one of them.