We know it’s hard to refrain from giving your food to your pets. The irresistible puppy eyes are to die for. While enjoying your favorite caramel sweets, you may have given some. But, did you do the right thing? Can dogs eat caramel?
“Caramel isn’t toxic to dogs but they shouldn’t eat it. It has a high amount of sugar that can cause health problems to your dog.”
Like other sweets, caramel reacts to your dog’s body in many different ways. So, it’s important to learn how it works. This article will give you knowledge regarding the dangers of caramel for your dog. We have also discussed better alternatives for sweet snacks for your pooch.
But if you are thinking to feed something like cheetos, sour cream, or cream cheese then must read this before feeding.
Can Dogs Have Caramel?
The simple answer is Yes, dogs can eat caramel, but they shouldn’t. It isn’t toxic for your pup. If they ate a small amount you shouldn’t panic. However, in large amounts, it can become problematic.
Just like most sweet treats are not advisable, caramel falls under that too. But, it won’t have an effect like chocolates do.
This statement doesn’t mean you start giving your pup caramel treats whenever they ask for them. Of course, the sweet-salty goodness of caramel is hard for dogs to resist. But, as a responsible pet owner, you shouldn’t give them what’s harmful.
1) Why is it Harmful?
Having pets is like have children. Plus, dogs make great companions. We take care of them as we would do for little kids. Cleaning, playing, and eating, everything is properly taken care of.
They are dependent upon us. So, how can we give them food which isn’t good for them?
No doubt caramel is heavenly. But the sweetness can cost your pet a lot. Sugary foods like skittles or drinks like soda are a big NO for dogs. Likewise, caramel is also horrible for them. Lots of sugar and your dog’s behavior will turn worse.
2) What Are The Short-Term Problems?
You’ve seen children being a sweet tooth and so are dogs. You have a clear idea of what it does to kids but when it comes to pooches, the effects are intense.
A dog having a sugar rush is way worse than a child facing this situation. The dilated pupils and restlessness may sound funny. But wait, till you see a 90-pound doggo experiencing these problems.
Hyperactivity will look funny but it is painful for the dog. Not to forget your dog can also sustain injuries. The inability to focus, agitation will persist for a short time. But, it will make your pet lethargic.
Your dog may bark or howl excessively. As the chemical imbalances occur the behavioral changes and sounds increase. Mood swings will become noticeable too.
In some cases, the behavior gets so worse that you won’t recognize it’s your pet. They can also become dangerous and may cause injuries to you as well. During this period only you will remember the bad time. Your pooch will enjoy being high on sugar.
Just like kids, dogs enjoy the sugar rush. But they don’t handle it well. They can get addicted to whatever they eat. However, they don’t understand this phase. They try to adjust their behavior accordingly.
As dogs don’t understand our language, it’s hard to make them understand. But, it’s important to take them out of the sugar addiction. The term “junkie dog” sounds unrealistic, but it’s not and quite scary in reality.
If your dog eats too much caramel, it will experience immediate psychological problems. If you suspect your dog has ingested too much sugar, keep a check for 24 hours or If the condition worsens, contact a vet.
3) What Will Happen In The Long-Run?
You got the answer to can dogs eat caramel and what are its short-term effects. But, does it carry any long-term problems too? We shall find out!
Let’s again compare your dog to a kid!
As in children, too much sugar can cause weight gain in the long run. Before you even start to notice obesity, dental problems may take a rise. Alongside obesity, cavities, root canals, and missing teeth are also common in dogs.
These problems can become a huge hassle for the owners too. As there are not many doggie dentists available around town, you may struggle to find one. And, if your pooch struggles with a missing tooth, dentures are nearly impossible to find.
To keep your doggo in the perfect shape it’s essential to keep them away from sugary treats like toffees.
Like humans, dogs also tend to develop diabetes. Drag yourselves out of denial and accept that dog diabetes is a thing! This disease can turn your pet’s life is a living nightmare.
Diabetes in dogs is as harmful as in humans, sometimes worse. As an owner, you will struggle to understand your doggy’s suffering that’s a consequence of diabetes.
Diabetes alone is the root of all kinds of illness. This is why your pooch’s life will shorten significantly.
4) 8 Symptoms of Overeating Caramel:
Most of the time, when you aren’t around, your dog may sneak into your food. If you have a box of sweets lying around or the caramel syrup. There are high chances, your pooch may have licked from it.
If you suspect your pet has overeaten caramel, look for the following signs:
- Hyperactivity
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Moodiness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
5) Are All Sweets Harmful to Your Dog?
Somewhat, yes. All sweets are harmful to your pooch. Regardless of the source, it contains excessive sugar, which isn’t good. Moreover, any food that contains artificial sweeteners like “xylitol” is extremely toxic.
Another toxic sweet for dogs are chocolates. It contains an element “theobromine” to which the dog’s digestive system doesn’t respond well. Even small amounts of it can kill your dog.
Giving other sweet treats won’t kill them, but it shouldn’t become a significant part of their lives.
Dogs can thrive without having a portion of sugar in their food. However, you can give them as a treat once in a blue moon. Sweets are a good tool to enforce positive behavioral mechanisms in dogs.
Ice creams, cakes, puddings, etc. all aren’t advisable. By eating such food, they’re only ingesting empty calories with no significant benefits.
Healthy Treats For Your Dog
If your dog has developed a sweet tooth, you can find multiple methods to keep them away from it. There are many kinds of “doggy treats” available, that aren’t only safe but dogs enjoy as well.
But, if you want to give something available in your kitchen, try some of the things below:
- Boiled chicken or lean meat
- Shelled nuts peanuts
- Fruits like apples and bananas
- Green vegetables like edamame beans, lettuce, and cucumbers
- Carrots
You can serve both raw and cooked meat to your dog. However, make sure that it doesn’t have any seasoning in them.
Some breeds cannot handle raw meat well. So you should have information beforehand. Better safe than sorry right?
Dogs are picky eaters; they tend to avoid food that they haven’t eaten before. You must slowly add anything new to their diet. In this way, they’ll get used to it. Try giving sprinkling some fresh cilantro on their food too.
We eat nuts as a snack, but most of them have. Unsalted shelled nuts, peanuts, and cashew nuts are all great for them. Because too much salt can cause hypertension and other problems.
Peanut butter is also a good treat, but ensure it doesn’t have any harmful additives and is unsalted. Otherwise, it won’t do any good.
Green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits are also rich in nutrients. Chop them into bite-size pieces and then serve them. Ensure that the fruits don’t have any seeds in them, as they can cause choking.
Can Dogs Eat Caramel? – Final Thoughts:
Caramel is just OK for your dog. Just like any other sugary treat, dogs don’t need this one as well. Small amounts of caramel won’t kill your dog. But why give something that isn’t beneficial.
There are many treats available that your doggy will enjoy as much as caramel. Plus, those are quite safe as well. If you’re searching for something around the house. We mentioned the healthy options above.
One year equals seven dog years. Imagine what the excessive eating of sugary foods will do to the poor soul!
This article must’ve been the green signal you were looking for. So, no more excuses to give caramel to your pup!
