Can dogs eat gingerbread? If you use this spice, it is poisonous for them

One of the indispensable treats of Christmas is gingerbread. But can you give it to your pet as well?

The sweet program of holiday preparation is gingerbread baking, and the beautiful decorations look stunning on the Christmas tree as well. Not to mention, this treat is also very delicious. As a pet owner, an important question is whether dogs can eat gingerbread. If you omit certain ingredients from the recipe, then yes. Let's see what you need to pay attention to! Some ingredients must be omitted because they are toxic.

Nutmeg is poisonous

The spicing of gingerbread varies from recipe to recipe and household to household. Some people only use cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, while others like to add as many different aromas as possible to make the pastry taste special. However, be cautious with nutmeg found in store-bought spice blends: it is toxic to dogs!

If your pet consumes a lot of nutmeg, the following symptoms may occur:

• disorientation,
• hallucinations,
• increased heart rate and blood pressure,
• dry mouth,
• abdominal pain,
• seizures.

In addition to individual sensitivity, the size, age, and breed of the animal are influencing factors. It's best not to take any risks and omit this ingredient to avoid any harm to your pet.

Never birch sugar!

Just like nutmeg, birch sugar, also known as xylitol, is very toxic to your four-legged friend. So, do not use it if you intend to let your dog taste the pastry! This sweetener is often used in commercially available reform, sugar-reduced, and sugar-free products, so always carefully read their labels.

(Important to note that toothpaste is usually sweetened with xylitol, making them extremely dangerous for dogs. It is also commonly used to flavor baked goods, so caution is needed there as well!)

Chocolate

Although the classic gingerbread recipe doesn't include this ingredient, many people use it for decoration, so we need to address chocolate as well.

We've talked about it so many times that you probably already know that chocolate is toxic to your pet. As we mentioned recently, the white version is no exception to the prohibition because, although in much smaller quantities, it still contains theobromine, which can cause poisoning.

Put it out of reach!

If you still use the aforementioned ingredients, then place the finished gingerbread – or any other pastry – in a location where your pet cannot access it!

Treats for dogs

So that your beloved four-legged friend doesn't miss out on holiday treats, consider buying or making a safe delicacy for them! Many dog-specific products are available in stores, and you can find several dog-friendly recipes online that are not difficult to prepare.

In addition, while gingerbread may be tempting for dogs, consider buying them a special dog food instead.