All of us want to make our dogs happy by giving them everything that’ll make them smile with delight.
There are many ways to do this.
You can walk them around your neighborhood daily, give them regular grooming so they always feel fresh, or maybe feed them with whatever they want, just like candies.
But can dogs eat Candies?
Unfortunately, not. Candies are very sweet and contain too much sugar which is harmful to dogs.
A dog’s digestive system isn’t designed to process sweet foods or anything that has flavor. This causes indigestion problems. Consuming too many sweets can also lead to obesity which can lead to more severe diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
In this article, we’ll talk all about the effects candies have on dogs including the diseases your canine can suffer if they always eat these sweets.
We’ll also answer some of the most commonly asked questions so you’ll have a better understanding of why dogs shouldn’t eat Candies.
Are Candies Safe For Dogs?
No, Candies aren’t safe for dogs because they contain too much sugar. A moderate amount of sugar is good for dogs because this gives them the energy needed to go about their everyday lives.
However, the kind of sugar dogs need are those that naturally come from fruits and vegetables. Not the granulated sugars from sweet treats! Artificial sugar can cause obesity and diabetes in the long run, which is why dogs should avoid eating them.
What Candies Can Poison Dogs?
Chocolate
Chocolate candies are one of the most toxic Candies for dogs. Chocolate is poisonous for dogs because it contains theobromine.
This compound is hard to digest and metabolize for canines, which is why this can lead to serious health problems or even death in worse cases. Never give dogs food containing chocolate no matter how little it is.
Some of the most common symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs are diarrhea and vomiting. This can then worsen into restlessness, faster heart rate, and seizures.
Make sure your dog has no access to your cabinets or food storage containing chocolate candies because they can easily gobble up a whole bunch if left unattended.
Chocolate candies are also very tasty which is why it’s very addictive for dogs. Canines can easily lose appetite for their main meals once they tasted those fine chocolates!
Xylitol
Many people are already health conscious these days which is why they prefer to avoid desserts or sweets that contain sugar.
This led food companies to formulate artificial sweeteners to replace granulated sugar found in their products. They say that these are healthier substitutes. Well, it is, but only for people.
Artificial sweeteners like xylitol are very toxic for dogs because they force their pancreas to release lots of insulin. This causes your dog’s glucose blood levels to decrease dramatically which leads to hypoglycemia. In extreme cases, overconsumption of xylitol can lead to death.
Some common symptoms of xylitol poisoning are vomiting, lethargy, weakness, and seizures. Bring your dog immediately to the nearest vet if you see them eating candies with xylitol.
Xylitol poisoning is a very serious threat to your dog’s life because this can lead to death within 10 to 60 minutes after consumption.
Raisins
Candies containing raisins are harmful to dogs because they contain tartaric acid which causes vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs can also suffer from excessive thirst and kidney failure if they regularly eat Candies with raisins.
Raisins are dried grapes, which are fruits that are also harmful to dogs, along with avocado, cherries, and tomato.
Nuts
Candies with nuts are harmful because they are a choking hazard to dogs. Dogs can easily be attracted to the sweet taste of Candies and they’ll immediately gobble up a whole bunch. When this happens, it’s likely that they’ll be choked from the hard texture of the nuts inside the Candy.
Aside from the choking hazard nuts pose on dogs, these can also cause indigestion problems like diarrhea, vomiting, fever, muscle weakness, and seizures. Immediately bring your dog to the nearest vet if they ate a substantial amount of Candies with nuts or any Candy.
Why Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Candies?
Toxic Ingredients
Candies contain many toxic ingredients like chocolate, raisins, xylitol, and nuts. Chocolate is harmful to dogs because it contains theobromine which their digestive system finds hard to digest and metabolize.
Raisins contain tartaric acid that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, excessive thirst, and kidney failure.
Meanwhile, artificial sweeteners like xylitol can mess up your dog’s glucose levels and cause hypoglycemia and lead to death. Nuts can choke dogs and cause pancreatitis because of their high oil and fat content.
High In Sugar
Candies contain too much sugar and anything sweet is bad for dogs. Overconsumption of granulated sugar can cause obesity.
This can worsen to more serious illnesses like hypertension and diabetes in the long run. Obesity can also cause hip dysplasia because immense pressure will be placed on your dog’s hip bones and cause them to dislodge from their original place.
Choking Hazards
Candies pose choking hazards for dogs because they have a hard texture. Dogs also find Candies attractive which is why there’s a high chance they’ll immediately gobble up a whole piece without chewing. This can block their throat and digestive tract.
Dental Issues
The high sugar content of Candies can damage your dog’s teeth because it can promote the buildup of plaque and cavities. Small bits and pieces of Candies can get stuck on your dog’s teeth and promote cavity growth. Candies are also hard and can crack your dog’s teeth.
What Are The Diseases Dogs Can Suffer If They Eat Candies Regularly?
Obesity
Obesity is one of the most common problems dogs can suffer if they regularly eat Candies. Candies contain very high sugar levels that aren’t converted into energy because granulated sugar is hard to metabolize.
These are instead stored as fats which lead to excessive weight gain and obesity in the long run. Never give your dogs Candies if you want them to stay fit and healthy.
Pancreatitis
Candies have different flavors that make them sweet. And most of the time, their different flavors are made possible by adding an artificial sweetener called xylitol into the Candy.
Xylitol is poisonous for dogs because it disrupts the normal performance of their bloodstream. This leads to loss of appetite, lethargy, and seizures. Consuming xylitol can also lead to pancreatitis if left unattended.
Aside from xylitol, the nuts present in some Candies can also cause pancreatitis because of their high oil and fat content. These can even pose choking hazards to your dog.
Diabetes
Consuming too much sugar can lead to diabetes for dogs, just like with people. Natural sugar from fruits and vegetables is healthy for dogs because it can be easily metabolized and converted into energy needed to fuel their daily function.
However, granulated artificial sugars are harmful to dogs because they aren’t metabolized properly.
Instead, some of the sugars are stored in their bodies and turned into fat, while some disrupt their normal blood sugar levels and cause diabetes. This is why dogs that always eat Candies suffer from obesity and diabetes.
Some people think that dark chocolate is safe for dogs. Unfortunately, even these kinds of chocolates are harmful to canines. Dark chocolate contains theobromine which is very hard for a dog’s digestive system to digest and metabolize.
What To Do If Your Dog Ate Candies?
The first thing you need to do if your dog ate Candies is to know what they consumed and how much they ate.
You should immediately bring your dog to the nearest veterinarian if they ate Candies containing chocolate or xylitol because these are extremely poisonous for dogs. Consuming these can lead to death within 30 minutes to one hour after eating.
However, you can just observe your dog closely if they ate just a few Candies containing nuts or sugar. Let them drink lots of water to flush out the particles from their mouth and upper digestive tract.
Immediately bring your dog to the vet if they ate a lot. Your dog might have also eaten the Candy wrappers which can obstruct their digestive tract. If you can’t find the wrappers, then your dog might have swallowed them too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sugar Harmful To Dogs?
Dogs aren’t designed to eat sweet foods or any meal that has flavors. Sugar consumption in dogs can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and indigestion problems. Long-term effects of regular sugar consumption can lead to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Candy?
Dogs can get ill if they eat Candies because of their high sugar levels.
Candies can also contain harmful ingredients like xylitol, raisins, and nuts, which pose health risks for dogs. In worse cases, dogs can die when they eat too many Candies.
Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?
Dogs can eat ice cream that doesn’t contain any sugar or flavors. Homemade ice cream made from Greek yogurt or fruits is safe and healthy for dogs.
So, Can Dogs Eat Candies?
No. Dogs shouldn’t eat Candies because these contain too much sugar which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
Candies also contain harmful ingredients like xylitol, nuts, chocolate, and raisins, which are all toxic to dogs. Don’t give in to your canine’s puppy eyes when asking for Candies because these will just harm them. A disappointed dog is better than a sick dog.