Can dogs eat Altoids?
In this brief discussion, we will answer the question “ can dogs eat Altoids? “ We will also talk about the ingredients used in making Altoids, the symptoms of min poisoning and what to do if your dog eats a lot of Altoids.
Can dogs eat Altoids?
No, dogs cannot consume Altoids. The unnatural chemicals in Altoids make them inappropriate for canine eating. Even ingredients that people may consider safe can be harmful to our dogs.
In addition, while Altoids can freshen our breath, dogs are not affected by them. Therefore, there is really no justification for giving your dog these minty candies.
What are Altoids?
Altoids are a popular brand of minty candies that are used to refresh breath. Strong peppermint flavour and distinctive tin packaging make them famous.
The 20th century saw the introduction of Altoids to America from England. Altoids are now produced domestically by Mars and distributed in America.
What ingredients are used to make Altoids?
Altoids are breath mints made of many artificial ingredients, some of which can be harmful to dog health. Sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, gum Arabic, artificial colouring, and a number of other synthetic and natural tastes, including peppermint and spearmint oil, are all ingredients in Altoids.
In place of sorbitol and sucralose, sugar and corn syrup are used in sugar-free Altoids. Feeding Altoids to dogs is not a good idea as they are made of artificial ingredients that can potentially damage your dog’s health in many ways.
Is sugar in Altoids good for dogs?
No, sugar in Altoids is not good for dogs. Dogs do not need to consume sugar. It has very little nutritional value and is known to be the cause of many health problems in our canine friends.
Sugar is also very addictive, so if your dog gets hooked on it, they’ll always want sweet goodies. The regular Altoids are really sweet. Giving your dog sugary treats frequently can result in:
- Stomach discomfort
- Intestinal inflammation
- Decrease in appetite.
- Dental decay
- Obesity.
- Imbalance in hormones.
- Diabetes.
Can corn syrup used in making Altoids harm my dog?
Yes, corn syrup can arm your dog’s health in some ways. Corn syrup is an artificial sweetener that is more addictive than sugar. It can be found in wintergreen Altoids.
Excessive consumption of corn syrup might result in:
- Abdominal discomfort or stomachaches.
- Unbalanced blood sugar.
- Dehydration.
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
What is mint poisoning?
Mint poisoning occurs when your dog comes in contact with any kind of mint oil whether it is peppermint or spearmint. These mint oils can irritate your dog’s skin and coat and also cause adverse effects when ingested.
Whether it’s peppermint, spearmint, or perilla mint, the plant’s oil is what upsets the intestines. Regardless of whether your dog consumes mint leaves or inhales them as an essential oil, you might also experience irritation of their nose, mouth, or skin.
You may have noticed that mint is a common ingredient in dog treats, particularly those meant to refresh their breath. These treats won’t include enough of the herb to make a dog’s stomach upset.
However, Altoids are meant for humans and contain enough mint oil to cause mint poisoning in dogs. Therefore, you should keep Altoids away from dogs.
What are the symptoms of mint poisoning?
The oils and extracts of peppermint, spearmint, and mint give Altoids their potent mint flavour. Dogs are sensitive to mint. When canines consume peppermint or spearmint oil, they could experience:
- Diarrhoea.
- Lethargy.
- Vomiting.
- Irritated skin.
- Discomfort in the mouth.
- Lack of coordination.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Drooling.
- Burns or irritation on the skin, mouth, or paws.
- Muscle tremors.
Can diabetic dogs eat Altoids?
Older, overweight, or diabetic dogs shouldn’t consume anything too sweet. Given that Altoids are high in processed and artificial sugars, they may result in a sugar imbalance in your dog. Therefore, it is best to keep them away from diabetic dogs.
What to do if my dog eats a lot of Altoids?
Some brands of Altoids don’t include Xylitol, a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs. It’s not a problem if your dog consumes a few non-xylitol Altoids. But if they’ve eaten a lot, you need to be quite cautious.
The most important thing to watch out for is mint toxicity if your dog has had too many Altoids. Dogs cannot consume the peppermint and spearmint oils that give Altoids their distinctively potent scent. If your dog has consumed too many Altoids, take them to the veterinarian right away.
Expect diarrhoea and vomiting as the dog’s natural defence mechanism attempts to rid the body of the poisons. Additionally, your dog can feel itchy in and around the mouth.
Conclusion:
We answered the question “ can dogs eat Altoids? “ We also talked about the ingredients used in making Altoids, the symptoms of min poisoning and what to do if your dog eats a lot of Altoids.