Can dogs drink sparkling water

After taking a sip of a cool fizzy drink, the owner might consider sharing a sweet treat with their four-legged friend. Can it be done?

The short answer is no. Giving your pet a drink to help cool him down should be limited to fresh water. Of course, nothing bad will happen to a dog if he licks some spilled soda, but such drinks are not at all healthy for pets and here’s why.

1. Dogs should not drink carbonated drinks due to their caffeine content.

The owner wants to share everything with his four-legged friend, but this is not always a good idea. And if for a person a small dose of caffeine in the middle of the day helps to maintain vigor until the evening, then for a dog it creates serious problems. As the Pet Poison Helpline explains, dogs are more sensitive to caffeine found in sodas, coffee, tea and other foods than humans. In them, the use of caffeine can even lead to poisoning.

Warning signs of poisoning include the following:

• Hyperactivity.
• Overexcitation.
• Vomiting or other indigestion.
• Rapid pulse.

Excessive exposure to caffeine often leads to quite serious symptoms, such as seizures. Because of them, the pet may need to be hospitalized for maintenance therapy until the caffeine is eliminated from the body. If your dog drank a whole glass of sugary soda left unattended, call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

2. Your dog’s body can’t properly digest artificial sweeteners.

The sweet taste of cola attracts pets, but added sugar or artificial sweeteners are harmful to their bodies. Animal lovers at Prime Vet Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., point out that xylitol, a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free and diet foods, is toxic to dogs. It can cause problems with blood sugar regulation. Such problems may include hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar.

Swallowing xylitol can lead to seizures or even liver failure. Therefore, it is best not to give your dog sweetened foods or drinks for humans.

3. Dogs don’t need sugar or extra calories.

Natural carbonated drinks made with real sugar are delicious and free from artificial sweeteners. However, just like humans, dogs can become diabetic and gain weight from too much sugar. The American Kennel Club (AKC) claims that high blood sugar levels in diabetic dogs can lead to organ damage, including blood vessels, eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves.

It is treats with added sugar, and therefore high in calories, that are often the cause of excess weight in obese dogs, according to the AKC. An overweight pet is at additional risk of diabetes, as well as problems with skin, joints, internal organs, mobility, breathing and pressure.

Giving sugary sodas to dogs is not a good idea. To protect them, you should keep such drinks higher and further away. If a small amount of soda spills on the floor, it’s a good idea to wipe up the stain before your dog can lick it off. In emergency cases, you must consult a doctor.

When caring for a pet, it is best to stick to the simplest basics. For example, offer your dog a bowl of fresh, cool water. She will definitely lick in response in gratitude.