Can Dogs Eat Carob?

Carob looks like chocolate but it's not, so it's a wonderful ingredient that we use when we bake for dogs. People always assume it's chocolate but of course we wouldn't use chocolate. We've been doing this for over 15 years.

What is Carob?

Carob is a Mediterranean bean that is often ground into flour or paste for use as a chocolate substitute. Found in pods, these little beans pack a lot of sweet, yummy flavor. It has no caffeine and does not contain the same chemicals as chocolate. If that’s not enough, it’s also gluten-free!

Why Can Dogs Eat Carob and Not Chocolate?

The Dog Bakery's Mutter Butter Bars are covered with carob.

Everyone knows that dogs can't eat chocolate, but why can they eat carob beans? The answer is chemistry. As with all things, both chocolate and carob contain a mix of chemicals. Unfortunately for pooches, chocolate just happens to be packed with chemicals that they can’t digest. Of these components, the most dangerous are theobromine and caffeine.

When a dog eats chocolate, even if it’s just a tiny amount, these chemicals will build up in their body. Theobromine, in particular, takes a very long time to digest. This means that, when too much chocolate is eaten at once, your pooch’s body struggles to digest and rid itself of these toxins.

 Following ingestion, dogs will exhibit a variety of symptoms. These signs of chocolate toxicity include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of consciousness

Fortunately, carob beans have a different chemical composition. These peas in the pod are devoid of theobromine and caffeine, which makes them the perfect way to give our dogs a taste of safe chocolate.

Can Dogs Eat Carob?

Yes! Dogs can safely enjoy some carobs.

Our "Woof Creme Pie" has a carob topping.

As a chocolate substitute, this little bean is perfect for pooches. It lacks theobromine and caffeine, which are the major components of chocolate that make dogs sick. Carob beans also happen to be naturally sweet, which means that carob-based chocolates and goods don’t require the same amount of sugar as true chocolate.

In its raw form, carob also contains vitamins A, B, and D. Calcium, magnesium, iron, fiber, and protein are also part of carob’s natural makeup.

If you’re planning on feeding carob-based goods to your dog, do your homework! Avoid any toxic ingredients and try your best to purchase low or, better yet, no sugar versions of the treat.

Photo Credit @leo.mainecoon This dog is going to eat a cake from The Dog Bakery, that has carob siding

Can Dogs Eat Carob Bean Gum?

Dogs can safely eat carob bean gum! However, this is best used as an ingredient. Your dog will likely prefer a delicious homemade treat, which contains some carob bean gum, as opposed to eating it plain.

Can Dogs Eat Carob Powder?

By itself, dogs can safely eat carob powder. Like carob bean gum, carob powder is best used as an ingredient rather than a snack. Trying to provide pure powder to your pooch will be a messy experience, and it’s much wiser to bake the powder into a treat. As with most things, you’ll want to make sure there’s nothing else in the powder that may hurt your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Carob Chips?

This cute pup is enjoying our carob chip cookies!

As with any product, be sure to read the label before you feed any treat to your dog. If ingredients such as macadamia nuts or xylitol are listed as ingredients, save the chips for yourself. However, if your carob chips are nothing but carob, then you can safely share a few with your canine companion.

If sugar is listed as the first ingredient, steer clear! Dogs aren’t as tolerant of the sweet stuff as we are, and it’s best to limit their intake. Ingredients are listed by weight, so a product that lists sugar at the beginning of the label will likely be bad for your dog. Unfortunately, this warning must also be heeded when dealing with dog-specific carob chips, as some manufacturers produce treats that are far too sweet for dogs.

What Kind of Carob Treats Can My Dog Eat?

In addition to being delicious as a plain bean, carob beans can be mixed into delicious baked goods! Many bakeries produce dog-friendly “chocolate” treats by using carob.

In fact, at The Dog Bakery, we offer our own amazing doggy chocolate-like dessert! Our Barkin’ Brownie is made with dog-safe carob beans, contains no grains, and is topped with a drizzle of delicious yogurt.

This delightful treat can be shipped to you and delivered directly to your doorstep, so you don’t have to worry about packaging or refrigeration.

If you want to do a bit of home baking, then find yourself some carob powder and get to work! Find some of your favorite dog-safe baking recipes and substitute the cocoa powder with carob bean powder. Your dog will go bananas for it!

Rocky Kanaka

Rocky Kanaka is an entrepreneur, pet rescue advocate and dog dad to a rescue boxer named Flip, a blind Cane Corso called Kobe, and a terrier mix named Zoey. He's also a pet chef and owner of The Dog Bakery, which specializes in dog birthday cakes and fresh baked dog treats. His three dogs can't get enough of the dog cakes and treats!

Lorna Ladd

Lorna Paxton Ladd is a passionate dog lover and enthusiast of The Dog Bakery. She loves spoiling her 3 rescue dogs with dog cakes and jerky. A 15 year veteran in the pet industry, her aim is to educate pet parents on the best recipes, products, tips and tricks to optimize the human/canine bond. Her favorite product at The Dog Bakery are the customizable dog birthday cakes.