Can dogs eat zebra cakes?
In this article, we will answer the question, “Can dogs eat zebra cakes?” along with some other questions like are zebra cakes safe for your dog? What is zebra cake? And what can you do if your dog ate zebra cake?
Can dogs eat zebra cake?
No, dogs cannot eat zebra cakes. It is not safe for your dog to consume zebra cake because it has vanilla and chocolate which is not healthy for your dog. Chocolate is toxic for your dog and vanilla has high sugar content which is also unhealthy for your dog.
Are zebra cakes safe for your dog?
No, zebra cakes are not safe for your dog. Following are the health hazards of consuming zebra cakes for your dog:
Chocolate
Chocolate is toxic for your dog to consume. Chocolate has theobromine which is a compound found in coffee. This compound is a muscle relaxant, heart stimulant, and diuretic in humans.
Dogs are unable to metabolize this compound. This results in the accumulation of theobromine in the body which leads to toxicity in your dog.
Following are the clinical signs of toxicity in your dog:
- Hypersalivation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Extreme thirst
- Hyperactivity
- Pacing
- Panting
- Seizures
- Muscle tremors
If you observe these signs in your dog, you should take your dog to the vet. The sooner you get to the vet the better he can treat your dog and it increases the chance of survival of your dog. Nervous system signs are deadly for your dog.
Vanilla
Vanilla is also not healthy for your dog because it has a high amount of sugar and some products have xylitol in it.
The high amount of sugar is not healthy for your dog to consume. Vanilla can be dangerous if your dog consumes it in large quantities. High amounts of sugar can lead to tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes.
Obesity can lead to joint problems and increases the chance of bone fractures. Bone fractures are due to the increased weight of your dog. The joints are unable to lift the extra weight gain of the body leading to inflammation of joints called arthritis. Arthritis is painful in dogs.
Obesity can lead to heart problems in dogs because the extra amount of sugar is converted into fat and is stored in the body as energy reserves.
Sugar is the favorite food of the bacteria residing in the oral cavity of your dog. When they get an extra amount of sugar, they convert it into acids which can damage the enamel covering the teeth. This leads to tooth decay and your dog is unable to enjoy his favorite food.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to regulate the blood sugar level. There are two types of diabetes. One is called type I diabetes and the other is called type II diabetes. Type II diabetes is more dangerous than type I diabetes.
Stomach upset
The last problem associated with eating zebra cake is stomach upset. Dogs are unable to digest the chocolate and vanilla cake which leads to indigestion and gastrointestinal problems. Following are the clinical signs of stomach upset in your dog:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
So far we have discussed the harmful effects of zebra cakes on your dog. Now let’s dive into the details of what is zebra cake?
What is zebra cake?
Zebra cake is a homemade cake that is prepared by stacking alternate chocolate and vanilla layers. It looks like zebra stripes when it is cut. Most people love the chocolate frosting on it but few enjoy vanilla frosting.
What types of snacks are dangerous for your dog?
Following are the types of snacks that are not safe for your dog:
- Raisins
- Mixed nuts
- Ice cream
- Snack mix
- Beer
- Alcohol
- Gum
- Candy
- French fries
These snacks are easily available in our homes which makes your dog more vulnerable because dogs do not know what is healthy for themselves. They will eat what they like.
What can you do if your dog ate zebra cakes?
First, you do not need to panic. Secondly, you should observe your dog for 24 hours to see if your dog shows any signs of distress and discomfort. There are two possibilities:
- First, your dog will not show any signs of distress and discomfort, it means your dog has not eaten enough zebra cake to cause toxicity in your dog.
- The second thing is if your dog shows some signs of distress, you should take your dog to the vet in this case. Chocolate toxicity can be fatal for your dog.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the query, “Can dogs eat zebra cakes?” We also discussed other questions like are zebra cakes safe for your dog? What is zebra cake? And what can you do if your dog ate zebra cake?
References
https://www.rover.com/blog/surprisingly-dangerous-snacks-for-dogs-in/
