Many of us shower our dogs with love by giving it with tasty treats. There are some dog owners who even go great lengths of finding and buying dog treats and foods from top brands. They are not bothered by the price, so long as they know their Border Collie is fed well.
Then again, there are others who thought that giving foods or treats of any kind will do. In this case, it can actually be detrimental to your dog’s health. Some foods and treats are just not meant for dogs – among which is pop tarts. If you’ve been feeding your dog with such treat for quite some time, you might think that this is incorrect information. A friendly reminder though, you would not want to wait for something bad to happen before learning a hard lesson.
What are Pop Tarts?
Pop tarts are sweet, flaky pastries that are made with a unique mixture of ingredients. They are commonly eaten as a breakfast pastry. However, there are some who use it as a snack or dessert. Pop tarts come in many different flavors, such as blueberry and strawberry
If you love the taste of strawberries, you will probably enjoy the strawberry pop tart flavor. Though they have different flavors, they all have one thing in common: They are made with a sweetened dough and filled with a creamy filling. There is no standard recipe for pop tarts. Some variations include:
- Using a pie dough instead of a bread dough to make the pastry
- Adding chocolate chips or other toppings to the filling
- Making the pastry into shaped pastries.
Pop tarts may also be filled with savory fillings like sausage. Pop tarts were invented in England in the late 19th century and quickly became popular throughout the world.
The Ingredients that Pop Tarts are made of
The ingredients for a pop tart are simple. It typically consists of flour, baking powder, salt, and butter. The addition of baking soda is optional. By doing so, it will help create a fluffier pastry. The buttery taste comes from butter that has been melted in a pan. Then the batter is poured into an oiled pan and baked until golden brown. To add flavor, various spices are added such as cinnamon, strawberry or vanilla.
Of course, different companies may have other ingredients added onto their products. But if you want something that creates a unique taste, you can always make your own.
Can Dogs Eat Pop Tarts?
Sure, there are numerous varieties of pop tarts in the market. As a safety precaution though, it is smart to keep this treat away. First, your beloved pets will get no benefit from it. Second, it has high sugar content that can be toxic to your dog.
The truth about pop tarts is, they can and can’t be eaten by your dog. The same is applied if you have a Border Collie. As long as they are well-fed, most dogs will be able to handle the treats.
On the other hand, you may be doing crate training to your dog. And you decided to give pop tarts as a treat. One thing you must know is that, these foods are not meant to be given as treats or snacks. This is because they are made with flour and sugar as the main ingredients. In addition to that, there is high calorie content each pop tart has. Feeding them to your pet could cause serious health problems. It’s because some brands contain artificial colors and flavors, which can be detrimental to your dog’s health.
Common Pop Tart Flavors
There are a lot of different pop tart flavors to choose from. Pop tarts can be found with a wide variety of flavors including the ones mentioned earlier. Other flavors people love are:
- Lemon
- Chocolate
- Banana
- Apple
Would you like your dog to love pop tarts even more? If yes, then you may want to give them different flavors. Consider it like a mini experiment. You might find that they like a certain flavor from one pop tart and another flavor from a different pop tart. You might also notice that your pet enjoys eating the same food at different times of day or seasonally.
When introducing new treats to your dog, it is always important to give it to them in moderation. Of course, see to it that they’re not overconsuming sugar. You probably want to ensure that their weight is under control. Above everything else, you don’t want them to experience health problems such as diabetes or heart disease.
Should You Keep Your Dogs Away from Eating Pop Tarts?
Can dogs eat pop tarts? Pop tarts are a popular treat for dogs. They are made with a whole host of different ingredients including
- Flour
- Sugar
- Canola oil
Dogs can eat pop tarts. This is possible only if they are cut in half. Don’t forget as well to make sure that it’s small enough that they cannot bite through the crust. The treats should be kept in an area that is out of reach to your Border Collie or other dogs.
One thing to be aware of is that pop tarts have been found to contain traces of wheat, which is gluten-free. However, it’s not recommended for dogs with celiac disease. Eating gluten can cause damage to the intestines.
Can a Sugar-Free Pop Tart Do the Trick?
Pop tarts are a beloved childhood treat. Even as an adult, many are guilty to still enjoying this treat. As for your dog, they can be a great source of fiber. The thing is, they should be avoided if your dog has any digestive issues or is on any medications.
The reason behind is that some of the sugar-free pop tarts may contain erythritol. This is an ingredient that may trigger gastrointestinal problems in dogs. Perhaps you may be thinking that a sugar-free pop tart would be a nice alternative. Well it is. But see to it that you keep the serving size small. At the same time, watch out for signs of excessive consumption.
Like all foods, sugar-free pop tarts should be enjoyed in moderation by all dogs. If your Border Collie consumes too much, it can lead to bloat and other health issues.
Pop Tart Ingredients that are most Harmful to Your Dog
Technically speaking, it’s not the ingredients that are used to make the pop tarts that could harm your dogs. Rather, it is the additive contents and high amount of sugar used to manufacture one. This is what experts are most concerned of. Not to mention, it is very starchy. Plus the fact that pop tarts virtually have no nutritional value for your pet.
In the event that you frequently give your Border Collie such treat, there’s a big chance that they would eventually develop certain health problems. These typically include:
- Extreme weight gain
- Diabetes
If you truly care about your dog, stand for what is right. Be the disciplinarian.
My Border Collie Accidentally ate a Pop Tart
You may be the most responsible dog owner in the world. Even so, there may still be a chance that your Border Collie may have accidentally eaten a pop tart or similar type of treat. In such situations, there are a couple of things you can do:
Number 1. Prescription Medication – first and foremost, you must quickly get the medication prescribed by your vet. Do this ASAP to prevent any harm to your dog.
Number 2. Fiber does the Trick – if your dog is showing signs of diarrhea, try giving them foods that are high in fiber.
Last precaution, always make it a point to never leave any treats on the counter. This is a foolproof way that your Border Collie will not accidentally get them.
Consequences of Dogs Eating Pop Tarts
Pop tarts are delicious and convenient. However, it doesn’t mean you can leave them out for your dog. The thing is, they can be deadly for dogs. Most particularly when it is consumed in large quantities.
If your dog consumes a large enough amount of pop tarts, the chemical sodium benzoate could cause life-threatening toxicity. Sodium benzoate is found in many foods, including:
- Canned goods
- Candy
- Household cleaners
Dogs can also ingest it by chewing on items such as glue or toys with magnets in them that contain the chemical. Symptoms of sodium benzoate toxicity include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Disorientation
- Tremors
- Seizures
If you suspect your dog has ingested pop tarts or any other food item with sodium benzoate, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Is a Vet Visit Necessary?
As a dog owner, it’s important to know if your pet has ever had an episode of eating pop tarts. Believe it or not, this can turn out to be among the most serious health issues your dog could ever had.
It doesn’t matter how much or how little your dog ate. Because even in small amounts, pop tarts can be dangerous for dogs. This is because it’s very sweet and can cause a severe sugar rush. As such, it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity if your dog eats enough.
Thus, we can safely say that it is not a question of whether you should bring your dog to a vet or not. At the very least, make sure to check with your vet if you think that your dog has eaten pop tarts. This can help you determine if there is any immediate danger or if you should take further action. Plus, your vet can guide you on the best dog foods or treats to give, instead of a pop tart.
What Other Options Do I have?
Unfortunately, there are plenty of challenges when dealing with a dog that has eaten pop tarts. One of the biggest challenges faced by dog owners is figuring out what kind of treatment options are available.
A lot of times, many people will recommend inducing vomiting and giving activated charcoal. But you must know that there are some things that you can do at home. Knowing what to do may be able to help ease the pain and discomfort for your pet.
- Rehydrate – the first thing to do is to make sure that your pet has access to plenty of water and that they are not too hot or too cold.
- Check for cuts or wounds – next course of action to be taken is to check that your Border Collie isn’t suffering from any cuts or wounds. This is important because untreated wounds could become infected as a result of their ingestion of pop tarts.
- Use ice packs – if possible try applying ice packs to the areas where your dog ate pop tarts in order to help relieve any pain and discomfort.
Remember, if your dog has eaten pop tart, the last thing you want to do is panic. It would do no good to you, especially to your dog. Instead, remember these alternatives and always, don’t think twice to pay your vet a visit.
Verdict
Keeping your dogs happy and healthy is something that you should never take for granted. That being said, one of the best ways to ensure that they stay that way is by giving them quality foods.
The lesson here is, dogs are not meant to be fed pop tarts. Instead, opt for the healthier alternatives that are available in the market. These include canned or prescription diets. It’s also worth noting that there are varying factors on finding the best foods for your dog. This will include the age of your dog, their medical condition, and weight. That’s why it’s important to do a little research on these before deciding to feed them anything new.
