Have you ever found your dog drooling at the corner while you are enjoying your melting hot chocolate? Well, it can be pretty heartbreaking because dogs cannot eat chocolate, but wait – can dogs eat carob?
Now, if you are wondering what carob is, then you will be surprised to know that it is THE perfect alternative to chocolate! Carob is actually a plant that tastes very similar to chocolate, and YES! It is safe for dogs.
However, if you are new to this treat, this article is for you!
Is Carob Safe For Dogs?
Carob is a less bitter version of chocolate that is absolutely safe for dogs, unlike your regular chocolate! But what makes it any better for dogs when it comes to health? Is it just for taste, or is there anything more substantial? Let’s figure that out:
1. Theobromine
Remember the villain of chocolate and Dog’s story? Spoiler alert– it was theobromine! Even small amounts of cocoa have enough theobromine to kill a day, so forget about what a whole chocolate bar can do to a dog (1, 2)! However, the good news is that carob contains theobromine in very few quantities, making it a great alternative ONLY IF you feed in moderation.
2. Low in fat
Another reason why carob is good for dogs is because it is low in fat! Those extra pounds on your dog may make them look chubby and cute, but it can slowly turn into obesity if you keep feeding your dog wrong, fried treats. Hence, carob will be an excellent choice for dog treats, as the low fat will also prevent pancreatitis, which is a common health concern in dogs (study).
3. Nutritious
Last but not least, carob is not just delicious but is also packed with nutrients for your dog’s health. The nutritional value is high enough that you can add this chocolate alternative to your dog’s cookies and treats. It includes:
- A lot of fiber
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
How to Give Your Dog Carob?
Here are some things that you should keep in mind when feeding your dog carob:
- One of the MOST crucial things is only to give your dog plain and unsweetened carol treats. You will find many in the market, which include xylitol, a deadly toxin to dogs that makes candies and marshmallows unsafe (study). So, only purchase carob that is plain and has no additives or sugar.
- The best way to feed your dog carob is to make homemade treats for them! This way, you can trust the ingredients, there will be no preservatives, and well, extra love for the pooch will only give you more furry cuddles and slobbery kisses.
- Another thing to keep in mind is that moderation is the key to feeding your dog any human food! Even if carob is good for dogs, giving it to your dog in excess will eventually lead to digestive problems.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, we can say that dogs can eat carob as this alternative to chocolate is not just tasty and safe but also holds nutritional value for your dog’s dietary needs. However, do not just go out and get your pooch the very first carob bar you see on the rack! Why? Because most of this stuff contains xylitol as an artificial sweetener which, well, as you know, is deadly to dogs. Hence, be a responsible pet owner, do your research, and then only get your dog plain carob!
Also, do you know what is better than carob treats? Homemade carob treats! You can add all your dog’s favorite treats, like blueberries, applesauce, avocado, or crunchy dog bites. We promise your doggo will love you for this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can feed your dog unsweetened carob chips in moderation. The only catch when feeding your dog carob is to make sure that there are no additives or sugar that can make this healthy treat a toxic one.
Nope! Feeding carob bean gum is not at all safe or good for dogs. There are several reasons why we would love for you to add carob to your dog’s diet, but when it comes to bean gums, it contains additives that are harmful to your dog.
The major and primary reason why dogs can eat carob and not chocolate is because of the compound named theobromine, a toxin for dogs. Although both carob and chocolate have this compound, carob contains it in tiny amounts that are safe for dogs to eat in moderation.
Even though carob is good for dogs in many ways, overfeeding anything can lead to a digestive upset. Especially if you have a small-sized dog, you should monitor how much carob treats they are eating and observe any signs of allergic reactions.
