You’ve returned home from the gym, exhausted after a tough, no-nonsense exercise only to find your dog is a step over you during the process of recovering.
It slowly raises its head from the container that has been opened with protein powder to ask, “Do you even lift? I’m mine now ”bruh!”.
In shock at the sudden change into a mindless, sluggish meathead you’re left to wonder at yourself.
“Is protein powder bad for dogs?”
ONLY IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT IT BECOMING TOO SWOLE.
In all honesty Protein powder isn’t poisonous or in general dangerous to dogs – so in the case that it is pure and not flavored.
As it’s dairy product, certain can suffer from stomach issues like diarrhea, if they consume too much unflavored powder. But, this is typically the most severe problem which will disappear on its own within the course of a few days or.
It could be dangerous when the protein powder is contaminated with additional additives, like cocoa powder, or artificial sweeteners such as xylitol. Both have a harmful impact on dogs if enough is consumed.
Xylitol has the potential to be extremely dangerous and may cause low blood glucose levels as well as liver damage.
Suppose the protein powder your dog has consumed has xylitol, and is suffering from symptoms such as stumbling or vomiting, incoordination or lethargy. In that case, you should bring it to the veterinarian right away to receive treatment.
Is Whey Protein OK For Dogs?
Although there are a variety of types of protein supplements like egg, soy, pea white and meat protein powders. The most well-known and well-known ingredient is protein. It’s made up of something known as whey.
Whey is a protein from dairy that is created as a byproduct from the cheese-making process. It is a rich source of essential amino acids that help in carrying out many functions in our bodies.
It is commonly used as a nutritional supplement by bodybuilders, athletes and people with an imbalance in nutrition or a deficiency. It’s extremely versatile as it is able to be added in juices and smoothies. It’s effectively absorbed into the digestive tract due to its bioavailability.
Whey protein is a great source of protein to increase muscle mass, strengthen immunity, boost levels of energy, and aid in quicker healing of wounds. It’s a common supplement that has many advantages, but it poses a low danger to human health and dogs alike.
Many people do not enjoy the taste of plain dairy products which is why there are hundreds of flavors available on the market to select from. This leads to more options for humans however, it also means that some powders might be not suitable for pets.
Lactose intolerant people could also experience issues in the event that they consume the whey. Because it’s extracted from milk, it will contain lactose, which the majority of humans and dogs aren’t able to handle.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Whey Protein?
A good thing is that the protein in itself won’t cause any problems for dogs. It may even be beneficial since it can aid your dog get the protein it needs daily!
Since whey protein powder comes from milk, canines may have some symptoms of GI discomfort if a large amount is consumed because of lactose intolerance. These symptoms may include symptoms of nausea (excessive drinking, licking or swallowing) as well as vomiting and diarrhea.
Protein powders are also enriched with amino acids branched chain (BCAA’s) These can be found naturally or specifically added to aid in the recovery of muscles. BCAA’s are not likely to cause problems with toxicity, however because of their nature, it’s possible for an upset stomach to develop when a large amount of food is consumed.
There’s a problem: It can be mixed with protein that could cause health problems if significant amount from the powder gets consumed.
For example, some flavor protein powders make use of sucralose as a sweetener and others might utilize xylitol. Dog owners should be aware that every mention of the ingredient xylitol is likely to sound alarms that go off in their heads because it is extremely harmful to dogs and may cause serious adverse reactions.
It is possible that Xylitol can be found in shakes and protein powders because it can be used as an alternative to sugar that is less calorie and healthier to sugar. However, when consumed by dogs, it triggers significant reductions of blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) and may cause liver damage.
Hypoglycemia caused by Xylitol can occur when a dog weighs greater than 0.1 grams for 2.2 pounds (1kg) of body weight.
The dosage that exceed 0.5 grams/2.2 kilograms of weight can result in liver failure.
The symptoms of xylitol poisoning may be present from 10 to 24 hours after the consumption and include:
- Vomiting
- Reduced activity
- Staggering
- Incoordination
- Weakness
- Balance loss
- Collapse
- Seizures.
Xylitol is among the main dangers in dog food and protein powders however, there are less-hazardous dangers that lurk.
You’ll learn that chocolate -which is used in a lot of chocolate-flavored protein powderscan also be a hazard ingredient.
My Dog Ate Chocolate Protein Powder… Should I Be Worried?
If your dog consumed Chocolate protein powder it creates a new (potentially difficult) problem in the mix.
Chocolate protein powder might (or might not) include cocoa powder which has a toxic impact on dogs even in tiny amounts. How toxic it could be is dependent on two things:
Pure cocoa how pure; and. How much cocoa can be found in the protein powder.
Chocolate and cocoa can be toxic to dogs due to the fact that they aren’t able to process the natural caffeine and theobromine that are present in them in the same way humans do.
Different kinds of chocolate contain different levels of theobromine as well as caffeine. In general, the darker more pure and clean the chocolate more pure, the greater the levels of the natural compounds- and the more harmful it is to dogs.
For instance, it is only 0.1 pounds of weight unsweetened, pure baking chocolate to cause dogs sick. In contrast dogs would have to consume 2.75 ounces per lb. or body weight in white chocolate, until any signs of toxicity are manifested.
It is also unlikely that there is much chocolate powder present in your protein as well as it’s mostly used to coloring and flavoring. Therefore, unless your dog is a pet and has eaten a large container or two of it, you likely won’t experience any negative results from the chocolate portion of things.
However, it’s important to be aware of what the symptoms of chocolate poisoning are to ensure you know what to look out for. The symptoms could include:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Excessive panting
Frequent urination
Drooling
Heart rate increases
Restlessness
Hyperactivity.
In extremely serious instances eating too much chocolate could result in seizures, cardiac dysfunction and even death. So, if you believe that your dog may be suffering from toxicity to chocolate go to the veterinarian ASAP to receive symptomatic treatment.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Protein Powder?
The first thing you must always do when your dog gets their hands on something not supposed to be pawing is to be able to determine exactly what the item is and the amount of it was consumed.
In this instance it should be easy to locate large containers or boxes which protein powders are typically kept in (unless you’re lucky enough it’s the case that your dog consumed it also! ).
The ingredients must be listed clearly on the backof the package, so it is easy for you to determine whether there’s anything dangerous within. Take note of the brand name, the ingredients as well as the amount of food that’s not being eaten by your famished pet.
Unflavored Protein Powders
If the protein powder isn’t flavored or doesn’t contain any ingredients such as cocoa or xylitol your dog is safe.
If your dog is showing any stomach-related symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting the most effective solution is to set it on an overnight fast for the remainder of the day to allow its digestive system the chance to recover.
If stomach discomfort are particularly severe then you may offer your dog Pepcid-AC in the dosage that is 0.25mg per pound body weight per 12 hours. This can help your stomach relax and help your dog be more comfortable.
The next day, gradually move back to the solid food, feeding the dog the bland diet comprising 25% lean boiling chicken and 75 percent plain white rice. This combo is easy to digest and ensures that your pet’s stomach will not overflow once again.
Flavored Protein Powders
If your dog consumed a flavorful protein powder, you must immediately look first for any signs of toxic substances such as cocoa and xylitol. In the event that any of these ingredients are discovered, you should take your dog to a veterinarian immediately for prompt treatment.
This could include the induction of vomiting, or administering activated charcoal in order to trap the harmful particles.
If you can’t find the list of ingredients for any reason, or are not sure, it might be beneficial to call your Pet Poison Helpline a ring to find out if the product consumed has some ingredients that are harmful to dogs.
Although it’s a paid service, they maintain an enormous database of products which they can look up quickly in the event of an emergency.
This will enable you determine quickly whether your dog is experiencing any trouble and if it is in need of urgent medical treatment. If you suspect that your dog is suffering from toxicity it is crucial to act fast, so don’t delay in determining whether symptoms begin to appear!
What Is The Best Protein Powder For Dogs?
Yes, it’s true.
Protein powders are there specifically for dogs.
Before you start getting any (admittedly hilarious) images in your head of Arnold ‘Schwarzdogger’ pumping heavy sticks at the local dog park, it is a legitimate option to supplement dogs with protein powders in certain situations.
For instance, it could be beneficial to dogs who do a lot of workouts or physical activities every each day. In these instances supplements with protein powders will ensure that the dogs who are working hard are capable of recovering properly.
Given its capability to repair muscles and strengthen your immune system, it might be a great option for your pet too. In conjunction with training, supplements with protein could help to aiding your pet increase their size and improve their health in the long run.
Always consult an experienced vet before beginning your pet on any nutritional supplementation. In most cases what amount of protein your dog is getting is more than sufficient and no additional supplementation is required.
If you’re looking to give the canine protein powders you have been looking for, Bully Protein by PetExcellent is a good choice that has no sweeteners or artificial flavors. It is safe for all breeds, it has 77% protein and is easy to use. Simply add a scoop over the food your dog is eating!
In Summary:
Does protein powder pose a risk to canines?
Not always. Dogs should be good in the majority of cases following a meal of protein.
Protein powder is an uninvolved food supplement for humans and dogs, provided that it is not incorporated into any powders that are artificially flavored. It could contain ingredients like cocoa and xylitol both of which are poisonous to dogs , even in very small amounts.
The xylitol may be the most hazardous when it comes to the protein content is worried. It’s unlikely to contain enough cocoa in chocolate-flavored supplements to cause harm to the dog, unless it is small or it eats several tubs worth.
On contrary, could cause dog problems if even 0.1g/2.2 pounds. is consumed. It could cause the liver to be damaged, hypoglycemia and eventually death, making it an issue that should not be considered lightly.
In the event that your pet has consumed food that has xylitol in it It is recommended to bring your pet to the veterinarian as quickly as you can to get the check-up and treatment. Otherwise, your pet is likely to be fine and don’t be shocked when it begins to run slightly faster next time you visit the park!