Nerds are one of the most popular candy brands in the world. They’re sweet, tasty, and can be bought anywhere.
You can munch on these every once in a while to relieve yourself of stress, or maybe if you feel like eating something sweet for dessert. Whichever it is, we all know there’s no harm in eating Nerds for us people.
But what if your dog also wants to taste Nerds?
Will you give them some? Or will you deny them the pleasure of these sweet treats?
Can dogs eat Nerds?
No, dogs can’t eat Nerds because these candies contain too much sugar and artificial ingredients harmful to their health.
Your dog can experience indigestion problems, vomiting, and diarrhea if they overeat Nerds. Dogs can even suffer from obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in the long term if they regularly eat Nerds.
What Are Nerds?
Nerds is an American candy brand created in 1983 by Sunmark Corporation under the Willy Wonka Candy Company. However, ownership has already been transferred to the Ferrara Candy Company since its acquisition in 2018.
The ingredients of Nerds are sugar, dextrose, malic acid, corn syrup, and carnauba wax. Nerds also contain artificial flavors and coloring to make them tastier and more aesthetic.
A single serving of Nerds, which is around one teaspoon, contains 60 calories and 14 grams of carbohydrates.
This is too high for dogs because their ideal daily calorie intake is just around 400 to 500. To make things worse, a serving of Nerds also contains 14 grams of sugar which is too much for dogs.
Are Nerds Safe For Dogs?
Nerds aren’t safe for dogs because of their high sugar levels and many artificial ingredients. Although a few Nerds won’t immediately harm your dog, it’s still better to completely avoid giving these candies to them because they can easily get addicted to their sweet taste.
This can lead to loss of appetite, obesity, and diabetes if dogs eat Nerds regularly. Nerds also have little nutritional value. There’s no point in giving these candies to them, especially if you value their health.
Can Nerds Poison Dogs?
Yes, Nerds can poison dogs if they eat a lot of it. A serving of Nerds contains 14 grams of sugar which is too much for dogs.
A dog’s digestive system is very sensitive to sugar, so overeating Nerds can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and indigestion problems. Regular overconsumption of Nerds can also make your dog suffer from hypertension, obesity, and pancreatitis.
But you don’t have to worry if your dog ate a small amount because this won’t affect them. Just keep a close eye on them and observe any weird behavior. If you see something different, immediately bring them to the vet to avoid further health complications.
Why Shouldn’t Dogs Eat Nerds?
High In Sugar
Sugar is the main ingredient of Nerds, so it’s harmful to your dog’s health. One serving of Nerds contains 14 grams of sugar. This is too much for a dog’s digestive system to handle.
Short-term effects include vomiting, stomach pains, and indigestion. Meanwhile, long-term effects because of regular overeating of Nerds can lead to obesity, hypertension, pancreatitis, and diabetes.
Dental Issues
Dogs eating Nerds regularly can suffer from dental problems like tooth cavities and plaque buildup. Nerds contain high sugar levels, and these sugar particles can get stuck on your dog’s teeth.
Their mouth will then naturally produce acid to break down the stuck sugar components on the teeth. Unfortunately, it’s not just the sugar that’s broken down but also your dog’s teeth coating and enamel.
Artificial Ingredients
Nerds contain artificial ingredients like carnauba wax, artificial flavoring, and artificial coloring. These are harmful to your dog’s health because they are considered allergens and carcinogens.
There are even cases when overconsumption of food coloring results in tumors, kidney failure, and respiratory diseases.
What To Do If Dogs Eat Nerds?
You don’t need to panic if your dog ate Nerds. Give them water and observe them closely for weird behaviors if they just ate a few Nerds.
However, you should immediately bring your dog to the nearest veterinarian if they ate a lot, like a whole box. It’s best to avoid health problems and complications before they happen.
What Are The Best Alternatives To Nerds?
Candies are unsafe and unhealthy for dogs because they’re high in sugar and contain many artificial additives like flavors and coloring. Instead of giving candies to dogs, it’s better to feed them with frozen fruits like apples, mangoes, oranges, and pineapples.
These fruits are rich in Vitamins A and C, which helps strengthen their immune system. They’re also tasty, so your dog won’t have any problem eating them.
You can also give your dog Greek yogurt because it is good for their digestive system because it acts as a probiotic. Greek yogurt is also rich in calcium and protein, which helps strengthen your dog’s bones and muscles.
So, Can Dogs Eat Nerds?
Dogs shouldn’t eat Nerds because these candies don’t have any nutrition. Nerds contain too much sugar, which will harm your dog and put them at risk of digestive problems.
Overeating Nerds can even lead to more debilitating diseases like obesity, hypertension, kidney failure, pancreatitis, and dysplasia. Instead of giving Nerds to your dog, it’s better to feed them with safer and healthier food treats like fresh or frozen fruits, chicken breast, or Greek yogurt.