With the festive period here, you will notice many tubs of stacked cheeselets “treeselets” on the shelves, even though you can enjoy them all year round. It’s Christmas where we eat the most and may give in to those puppy dog eyes. The below will explain to you why you should not be tempted to share your cheeselets.
Dog’s should not eat cheeselets; they do not provide any health benefits to a dog. If consumed in large amounts, cheeselet ingredients, like paprika extract, salt and powdered garlic, can make your dog sick. If by accident your dog has eaten one or two of them, it won’t hurt them. But if they eat many in one sitting, it will be bad for their health, and you may need to seek veterinarian help.
In this case, sharing is not caring!
Main Cheeselets Ingredients That’s Bad For Dogs Explained
- Paprika Extract
- Powdered Garlic
- Salt
Paprika Extract
Paprika isn’t toxic to dogs; however, it can cause gastrointestinal irritation and diarrhoea for your dog, which can then lead to more severe issues such as dehydration. Paprika just isn’t meant to be eaten by dogs and has no health benefits to a dog. So, in this case, it’s best to avoid giving your dog any food with it in like Cheeselets.
Powdered Garlic
Garlic is of the allium family and is considered toxic to dogs. Powdered garlic has much less thiosulphate, which is the poisonous substance found in garlic. However, even with the lesser amount, it would be best to avoid giving your dog any foods that have powered garlic, such as cheeselets.
Allium Family Food List
- Chives
- Garlic
- Leeks
- Onions
- Scallions
- Shallots
Salt
High salt levels can dehydrate your dog, especially in puppies, older dogs and dogs with underlining health issues. Salt can also raise a dogs blood pressure to an unbalanced level causing rapid heartbeat and seizures. While dogs do need some sodium in their diet as part of their electrolyte balance, the amounts are already at the required levels in their box standard good quality dog food. Adding to their daily intake of salt will only do them damage.
Help my dog just at some cheeselets. What shall I do?
Firstly dont panic! Offer your dog some water! Depending on the size of your dog and the amount they have eaten will rely on the next course of action you take.
- Small dog and just a few cheeselets: Your dog will be okay
- Small dog and a big handful: be prepared for sickness and diarrhoea, and if symptoms persist, then your dog will need veterinary help.
- Small dog and way more than a handful: call your vet as soon as possible
- Large dog and just a few cheeselets: your dog will be okay
- Large dog and just a handful of cheeselets: your dog will be okay
- Large dog and way more than a handful: be prepared for sickness and diarrhoea, and if symptoms persist, then your dog will need veterinary help.
The above will put into perspective that larger breeds can handle bigger portions and smaller breeds can’t. You should judge your dog and use common sense as much as you can since you know your dog’s behaviours, and if they dont seem right, then always take them to the vets and don’t delay.
Symptoms Of Dog Poorliness
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Dry mouth
- Dry nose
- Heavy panting
- Increased thirst
- Increased urine
- Lethargic
- Light coloured gums
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of balance
- No urine production
- Pale mouth
- Stillness
- Trouble breathing
- Vomiting
- Weakness
Most At Risk
Generally, older dogs and dogs with underlying health issues are more at risk of illness from eating something they shouldn’t. So if you have a senior dog or a currently sick dog, you should not delay taking them to the vets.
Other Festive Food That’s Dangerous To Dogs
Remember: Dogs Are Different To Us
Remember that most dogs will eat pretty much anything put in front of them, and we as dog owners need to understand that they are built differently from us and require different diets. We must avoid giving them harmful foods that do more damage than good.
If you want, you to treat your dog with human food. Here is a list of safe and unsafe foods that I have put together to help you make the right choices. Try just giving them fresh chicken. I do with my dogs, and they love it. See my article on how to cook and serve chicken safely.
