Eating sweets is one of the best ways to get rid of stress. It makes us feel happier and, at the same time, makes us feel full and bustling with energy.
But what if your dog also wants to have their share of your sweet delight?
In this case, Flan.
Will you give in to their drooling, adorable puppy eyes? Or won’t you?
But before answering these questions, it’s essential first to know…
Can dogs eat Flan?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat Flan because it contains too much sugar. Although its main ingredient is egg, it still has a very high sugar content which is harmful to dogs.
This can cause obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and pancreatitis. Short-term effects also include vomiting, indigestion, and diarrhea.
In this article, we’ll discuss what Flan is, its ingredients, and its effects on dogs. We’ll also show you the best Flan alternatives to give to your dog so that you can ensure their health and safety.
What Is Flan?
Flan is a creamy dessert made from eggs, sugar, milk, and vanilla extracts. It’s also known as creme caramel or caramel custard. This sweet treat features a hard caramel coating topped with caramel sauce and a melted mixture of butter, cream, and sugar.
Flan is a high-calorie diet because a single serving contains 450 calories. It’s also a fatty meal as it contains 13 grams of fat which can lead to obesity in dogs if consumed regularly.
Aside from these, Flan also has very high sugar levels because a single serving contains 73 grams of sugar. Although one serving has 14 grams of protein, it’s still not enough to make up for the unhealthy attributes of its high fat and sugar levels.
Is Flan Safe For Dogs?
No, Flan isn‘t safe for dogs because it has too many sweet and fatty components. The main ingredients of Flan are sugar and milk, which are both harmful to dogs.
The digestive system of dogs is sensitive to sugar. Many dogs are also lactose intolerant – meaning that their bodies cannot digest milk properly, which leads to indigestion problems, stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Make sure that your dog isn’t lactose tolerant before you let them eat a small amount of Flan.
But we recommend not giving them even a small piece so they won’t get addicted to Flan’s sweet taste and soft texture.
Can Flan Poison Dogs?
No, Flan can’t poison dogs. However, it is unsafe and unhealthy for dogs because of its high sugar levels. Dogs and sugar don’t go well together because these aren’t a part of a dog’s natural diet.
Their digestive system isn’t very good at digesting sugar from sweets and turning them into energy, unlike people where sugar is immediately converted to stored energy.
It’s a different story with dogs because their bodies just store the sugar until it disrupts their body’s normal processes.
Why Shouldn’t Dogs Eat Flan?
Too Much Sugar
Flan contains too much sugar, which can mess up your dog’s digestive system and entire body process, especially if they overeat sweet foods regularly. A serving of Flan contains 73 grams of sugar. This is above the recommended daily dog sugar consumption.
Added sugars and natural sugars are the two types of sugars. Unfortunately, Flan has added sugars which are the unhealthy kind. These don’t have any nutritional benefits and can only cause obesity and diabetes in dogs.
Overconsumption of sugar can also lead to other complications like hip dysplasia because excess weight puts more strain on joints and tendons.
High Risk Of Obesity
One serving of Flan contains 13 grams of fats which is too much for dogs.
This increases their chance of suffering from obesity and hypertension, especially if they regularly overeat fatty foods like Flan. There are also some cases where overconsumption of fatty foods leads to pancreatitis.
High-Calorie Diet
A single serving of Flan contains 450 calories. This is again very high considering that dogs’ recommended daily calorie intake is only around 400 calories.
Eating one serving of Flan is already equivalent to three regular meals. Your dog will become fat if they eat other foods throughout the day, aside from the one Flan serving you give them.
Tooth Decay
Flan can cause tooth decay because sugar particles can get stuck in your dog’s mouth. This can cause the buildup of plaque and cavities, which can lead to many dental problems like gingivitis, abscessed root, and tartar buildup.
What To Do If Dogs Eat Flan?
The first thing to do if your dog ate Flan is to assess the amount they consumed. If they only ate a small piece, there’s no need to worry because it won’t have significant effects.
They can also experience minor stomach pains and loss of appetite because of Flan’s high sugar levels and your dog’s possible lactose intolerance.
Let them drink water if this is the case. However, you should immediately bring them to the nearest veterinarian if they eat a lot of Flan because this can lead to serious health conditions like seizures.
What Are The Best Alternatives To Flan?
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is one of the best alternatives to Flan. This is rich in calcium, a necessary nutrient to strengthen your dog’s bones. Greek yogurt also has probiotics which can improve your dog’s digestive system. It can even stabilize blood pressure and lower the risks of diabetes.
Chicken Breast
Chicken breast is a highly recommended treat for dogs because it’s rich in protein. Protein is essential for a dog’s health because this helps build muscle mass and keeps them stronger and more energetic.
Aside from protein, chicken breast is also rich in Vitamins A, B, C, and D, strengthening their immune system and improving digestion. Chicken breast also has lots of iron, calcium, and zinc, which helps improve your dog’s skeletal and cardiovascular systems.
You can cut small pieces of chicken breast to give them as treats to your dog. This also makes it an effective training material if you teach your dog new commands and tricks.
Frozen Fruits
Fruits are a must-have in your dog’s diet because these are a rich source of vitamins and minerals that will make them stronger and healthier.
Fruits like apples, bananas, mangos, and pineapples are great sources of antioxidants that lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The fibers found in fruits can also improve your dog’s digestive system and make it easier for them to poop.
Is Flan Healthy For Dogs?
No, Flan isn’t healthy for dogs because it contains too much sugar. 14 grams of sugar in one serving is too much for dogs. They can experience vomiting, stomach pains, and diarrhea a few minutes after eating lots of Flan.
Meanwhile, long-term effects of overeating Flan can lead to obesity and hypertension. These illnesses can complicate to more severe conditions like pancreatitis, hip dysplasia, and diabetes.
Although Flan has a few nutrients like calcium, iron, and Vitamin D, the amount is still very small compared to the high sugar levels and fat content. It’s better to avoid giving Flan to your dog if you want to ensure they stay safe and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Caramel Flan?
No. Dogs shouldn’t eat caramel flan because this is harmful to them because of its high sugar levels. This can cause many illnesses like obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, and dental issues. Dogs also have low tolerance levels to sweet foods.
Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?
Yes, dogs can eat ice cream as long as it doesn’t have sugar or artificial sweeteners like xylitol. The ice cream shouldn’t also have any flavor because this can disrupt their sensitive stomach. There are many ice cream products sold in the market made specifically for dogs.
One of the most popular dog ice creams is Ben & Jerry’s Doggie Dessert. You can also make your own homemade dog ice cream by mixing fruits and plain yogurt and freezing them after.
Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
Yes, dogs can eat eggs. Eggs are perfectly safe and healthy for dogs because they are rich in Vitamins A, B, and protein. These nutrients strengthen your dog’s immune system and help build more muscle mass. Eggs can also make your dog’s coat shinier.
So, Can Dogs Eat Flan?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat Flan because it contains too much sugar. This can cause obesity and hypertension in the long run.
These illnesses can then complicate to more severe medical conditions like diabetes and pancreatitis if your dog overeats sweet food regularly. One of Flan’s main ingredients is milk, which can cause vomiting, indigestion problems, and diarrhea in lactose-intolerant dogs.