Pets and desserts: is it possible to feed a dog sweet

During the New Year holidays, the house is filled with all kinds of confectionery. For those with a sweet tooth, this is usually their favorite time of the year, but for curious dog owners who are eager to get in on the fun, it can be stressful. 

On holidays, many people ask themselves whether it is possible to feed a dog with sweets and what to do if the dog has eaten sweets?

The Dangers of Holiday Candy for Dogs

As a general rule, sweets should always be kept out of the dog’s reach. According to the ASPCA, high-sugar candy can make her vomit and have diarrhea. 

In addition, sugar contains empty, meaning no nutritional value, calories. This can lead to exceeding the daily caloric intake of the diet and the development of diseases associated with excess weight, such as obesity. 

Sugar-free treats are also prohibited. Sugar-free candies often contain xylitol, a sweetener that can cause low blood sugar and liver disease in dogs. Before giving your pet any food, it is important to check the ingredients to make sure it is not potentially toxic.

Is sweets bad for dogs? Undoubtedly.

Chocolate

Chocolate is known to be dangerous for dogs. If it is suspected that a pet has eaten this treat, the ASPCA advises monitoring for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, hyperactivity, pacing, and trembling. Any of these signs should take your dog to the vet.

If a four-legged friend is behaving normally, the ASPCA recommends gathering information about the type of chocolate the pet has eaten—for example, dark, culinary, or dairy—and its ingredients, and then calling a veterinarian. He will tell you what to do next.

Mint

Mints, mints, mint white chocolate… But is mint safe for dogs? Not at all: it is extremely dangerous for a pet. According to the ASPCA, eating peppermint can cause vomiting and diarrhea in a dog, among other reactions.

If a dog swallows a plastic mint wrapper, it can become lodged in the digestive tract and cause a life-threatening blockage.

Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has eaten a mint, mint candy, or mint wrapper.

Zefir

Airy and gooey, marshmallows may seem like an innocent treat, but under no circumstances should they be given to a dog. Like mints, sugar-free marshmallows contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. If a pet reaches a package of sugar-free marshmallows, the American Kennel Club (AKC) advises to watch for vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. According to the AKC, if these symptoms persist for more than a day or two, the dog is at risk of developing pancreatitis. At the same time, traditional marshmallows, which do not contain xylitol, contain a lot of sugar, which, again, is harmful to the pet.

Other Holiday Treats

Every culture and every family has its own holiday traditions and holiday treats. It is important to exercise caution when leaving any food items within reach of your four-legged friend’s curious nose.

If a dog lives in the house, holiday traditions such as decorating the tree with candy or popcorn should be avoided. In addition to the above risks, if a pet consumes more than 8-10% of their daily calorie intake from non-dog foods, it can lead to weight gain and other health problems as a result.

When making holiday treats like cookies and muffins, it’s best to keep your dog out of the kitchen altogether. At the same time, you should worry not only about the dangers of sugar and extra calories. You also need to be mindful of all the other ingredients that your pet can get to. For example, nutmeg and cinnamon, which can be toxic to dogs if consumed in large quantities, not to mention a hot stove.

It’s also best to place any scented candles out of your pet’s reach. The fact is that the sense of smell in dogs is much more developed than the sense of taste. The same can be said about essential oils. Wintergreen, pine and peppermint essential oils in diffusers and aerosols can be toxic to dogs, according to Pet Poison Helpline.

The New Year holidays are a wonderful time, not least due to the delicious sweets that people can enjoy during this wonderful time. But it is important to remain vigilant and make sure that these days are also joyful for the pet. For this reason, it’s worth keeping holiday treats out of the reach of your four-legged friends and offering them a special candy treat, safe biscuits, and fun, safe toys.