Can Dogs Drink Eggnog? Homemade Guide
The only thing better than enjoying an eggnog Christmas morning, is enjoying a festive drink with your pooch! So we thought we’d look at if dogs can drink eggnog and how you can give your dog a delicious eggnog breakfast!
So you want to know if dogs can drink eggnog?
I’m a dog person, but I know that not all of my dog-loving friends are. And I’ve seen plenty of posts online and on TV talking about how it is completely safe to feed your dog eggnog. What are the pros andhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukB6v94vyKc&ab_channel=JoshuaWeissman cons of giving your dog eggnog? Should you be careful when you’re adding eggnog to their diet? Or, is there a reason you should give it to them? Let’s find out together!
Can Dogs Drink Eggnog?
Eggnog is not something dogs should ingest.
Because of this, you should not offer your dog eggnog for the holidays. Eggnog is a terrible option for your dog because of the sugar, fat, dairy (which can be harmful to some breeds), nutmeg, and alcohol it contains.
Many dogs can consume dairy products without any problems, however this isn’t true for all dogs.
Lactose intolerance is more common in some breeds and species than in others (i.e.: Bulldogs).
Your vet should be consulted before giving your dog any form of food or drink that contains dairy products.
A little amount of alcohol during a party may be safe for some dogs, but only if they don’t overindulge, which isn’t suggested without seeing your veterinarian beforehand.
In addition, some dog breeds are more sensitive or even allergic to specific components.
Eggs, milk, sugar, and a strong liquor are the main ingredients of eggnog (typically rum). So, if your dog drinks eggnog, his stomach and intestines will be irritated by the fat and dairy in it.
Sugar in excess is harmful to dogs and can lead to a variety of health issues (most commonly obesity and diabetes).
Some, but not all, eggnogs are spiked with alcohol
The use of rum, bourbon or brandy in some eggnog recipes is optional, while others do not. Do you know how much alcohol was added to the cocktail, and did it follow a specific formula or was it blended to suit the preferences of the individual drinkers? Light or black rum, bourbon, or brandy has an average alcohol level of 40% by volume, however it can vary from 36% to 50%. Overproof rums (rums with an alcohol content more than 57.5%) are available, so be careful to acquire the name of the brand, the proof, and the total amount of liquor drunk.
Dogs, like humans, may become inebriated from consuming alcoholic drinks. Ethanol, or alcohol, is quickly absorbed into the system and can have an effect on dogs within 30 minutes, but this varies depending on the quantity. Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, and depression of the central nervous system are all possible symptoms in dogs that are under the influence of alcohol. Breathing difficulties, tremors, an irregular blood acidity, a coma, and seizures are all possible side effects.
You can breathe a sigh of relief if the eggnog was not alcoholic.
Other eggnog ingredients can upset a dog’s digestive system
Eggnog may contain milk, cream, eggs, and nutmeg, all of which may cause your dog to become ill, depending on how the eggnog is produced, how much your dog drinks, and how large your dog is. Naturally, a dog’s digestive system might be disrupted by any nutritional mistake, resulting in symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or a lack of appetite.
It is possible to make eggnog with whole milk, light cream, or even a mixture of all three. From 3.25 percent fat in whole milk to more than 36 percent in heavy cream, these items are all high in fat. High-fat diets can induce vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, as well as possibly pancreatitis, a pancreatic inflammation that can be quite painful. Because dogs lack the enzyme necessary to break down lactose (the milk sugar), whole milk can also induce diarrhea in them.
There are two basic methods for making traditional home-made eggnog: either using raw eggs or tempered eggs, which have been properly cooked to destroy any germs present without causing egg “curd.” There is a danger of Salmonella infection and food illness if you eat raw eggs or uncooked whipped egg whites in some eggnogs. Pasteurized eggs and dairy products are used in the production of store-bought eggnog; this is a light heat treatment that destroys any germs that may cause illness.
Salmonella-related illness in healthy adult dogs is extremely rare, according to the CDC. Clinical indications in an adult dog usually indicate the presence of another illness or severe disease. In contrast, a research done by the FDA and 11 diagnostic laboratories revealed that only 55% of Salmonella-infected dogs developed diarrhea, which is the most prevalent symptom of infection. That also indicates that roughly half of the dogs infected with Salmonella germs had no symptoms. Good news: Salmonella infection in cats and dogs is extremely rare; just 1% of cats and 2.5% of dogs get infected.
What’s the point of mentioning the possibility of Salmonella infection? Dogs may not be at risk from some forms of Salmonella, but the same germs can pose a serious threat to human family members. Other animals and humans may get the disease if diseased dogs expel germs into the environment.
Last but not least, nutmeg, the spice used in eggnog and as a garnish, is deadly to dogs. To be sure, the little quantity of nutmeg used in eggnog recipes includes a toxin called myristicin, but it’s highly unlikely that it would have any negative health effects. However, if a tiny quantity of nutmeg is ingested, it may cause moderate stomach trouble, such as lip-smacking, drooling, lack of appetite, and reduced activity. In order for myristicin toxicity to be present in a dog’s system after eating nutmeg, the pet would have to consume an extremely high dose, according to Charlotte Flint, DVM, DABT, a veterinarian with the Pet Poison Helpline.
How concerned should you be if your dog drinks eggnog?
“The dosage creates the poison” is a well-known saying in toxicology that sums up the discipline’s fundamental premise. Toxic substances are only dangerous if they are present in high enough concentrations. Eggnog’s alcohol level, the amount of eggnog and/or alcohol drank, and the dog’s size all play a role in determining the risk of injury for an eggnog-drinking canine. Speak to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about what your dog drank. Call a local emergency pet hospital, the Pet Poison Helpline, or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center in case your regular veterinarian is unavailable.
How to Make Eggnog for Dogs
This time of year, I’m drawn to the familiar flavors of the season. One of these is eggnog. There are two camps: those who adore it and those who despise it. It’s one of my favorite Christmas carols, and there’s no reason it should be restricted to those on two legs.
The question of whether or not a dog should eat raw eggs is still debated among pet owners. Vets are divided on whether or not this is a good idea; some say yes, while others say no. My eggless eggnog is so wonderful that you won’t be able to tell it’s eggless.
There are 458 calories in this serving.
Equipment needed:
the aforementioned tools: food processor or blender; cup; plate; canine taste-tester
Ingredients:
Half of a tiny banana
1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
12 oz. of coconut cream
Medjool dates that have been pitted and cut
a sliver of nutmeg
Directions:
Then, using a food processor or blender, combine all of the ingredients until they’re smooth and creamy. It’s time to eat!
Grated nutmeg is a common ingredient in human eggnog recipes. NEVER, EVER, EVER give your dog nutmeg. High concentrations of nutmeg can be lethal to dogs. So keep your nutmeg-containing spices and meals out of the reach of your pets.
Conclusion
Finally, nutmeg, which is contained in eggnog, is particularly harmful to dogs.
Myristicin, which produces vomiting and tremors in most animals, is found in nutmeg. If your dog eats too much nutmeg, it might cause seizures.
The bottom line is that your dog shouldn’t eat eggnog since it’s dangerous for him. Make pumpkin or banana ice cream for your pet instead of eggnog if you want to share some with them!
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