Is it Dangerous for Dogs to Eat Sweets?

4 minutes

A dog's diet needs to be balanced and contain the right amount of nutrients that are necessary for proper development. With this in mind, many owners ask themselves if it's dangerous for dogs to eat sweets.

Last update: 23 September, 2020

Many foods can be unsafe for dogs to eat. On occasion, people make the mistake of thinking that dogs can digest the same foods as humans, but that’s not true. With that in mind, we want to talk about why it can be dangerous for dogs to eat sweets.

As with any other food, an excess of sweets is damaging for the health of both dogs and humans. Below, we’ll talk about the influence that these kids of food have on canines. We’ll also tell you which foods are safe for them to eat.

Sweets in a dog’s diet

In their composition, sweets include sugars, also known as carbohydrates. The idea we have regarding sugars tends to be negative, although a certain amount of carbohydrates is necessary for the body.

However, it’s important to differentiate between refined sugars and carbohydrates. The sugars that you can safely add to your dog’s diet should be carbohydrates and no more than 5% of the daily recommended amount.

Carbohydrates are a necessary part of nutrition because they provide energy. At the same time, they influence gastrointestinal function. However, what’s most important is maintaining a balanced diet.

What carbohydrates are safe to include in a dog’s diet?

When it comes to where we can find carbohydrates, the most common answers are cereals or pasta, among others. However, there are different types of carbohydrates:

Digestible. The most well-known are glucose, fructose, lactose, and galactose.
Indigestible. The objective is to favor intestinal transit and reduce caloric intake. The most noteworthy is fiber.

These different carbohydrates can be found in foods like milk and it’s derivatives. Other options include legumes, vegetables, fruits, and root crops, along with cereals (rice, corn, barley, and oats).

Is it dangerous for dogs to eat sweets?

Popular beliefs have a lot to say about health, mostly in the form of advice. Today, we’ll expose some of the most common preconceptions on the subject.

Sweets make dogs go blind

This belief is very widespread, but it’s important to clarify that it’s not altogether true. However, an excessive intake of sugar can lead to the development of different illnesses.

One of the most well-known cases is that of diabetes, which can create a series of complications. These include cataracts and, in the most serious cases, blindness.

Therefore, you could say that eating an uncontrolled amount of sweets could end up leading to blindness in dogs. To avoid this, you should control how many sweet things your dog eats, which should be no more than the recommended 5%.

That being said, if your dog somehow manages to eat a piece of cake, pie, or pastry, there’s no reason to worry. However, you should make a point of avoiding this situation and only give your pet treats and snacks that are safe for dogs.

Another condition that can result from eating too many sweets is excess weight gain. In these pathologies, it’s crucial to watch what your dog eats and make sure your pet exercises on a regular basis.

Excess sweets and energy

The main function of carbohydrates in the body is to provide energy and allow dogs to remain active during the day. However, a poor administration of these nutrients can lead to a series of typical problems:

Excess weight gain and obesity
Cardiovascular problems
Deterioration of the joints and bones
A significant decrease in defenses

What sweets can you give to dogs?

At this point, you may be wondering what foods or sweets are good to give dogs? Keep in mind that you should avoid giving your dog cheap dog food, as it can lead to health problems over time.

That’s because these foods have high sugar content. So, giving them to your dog for a prolonged periods of time can lead to diabetes and other health problems. Therefore, experts recommend the BARF diet or including foods that are rich in hydrates.

If you don’t have the time to carry out this type of diet, there are always other options. The market offers a wide variety of quality dog foods that offer the necessary amounts of the nutrients your dog needs.

What’s more, you can also find sweets made especially for dogs. These meet nutritional requirements and are a great reward for good behavior, for example.

All in good measure

So, as you can see, it’s not dangerous for dogs to eat sweets as long as you control their administration. You also need to make sure that you incorporate sugars into your dog’s diet in a healthy way.

That way, your animal will have plenty of energy to burn through play and exercise, like running and jumping. You’ll keep your pet healthy and reduce the risk of different nutrition-related illnesses.