Do you have a sweet tooth? What about your dog? If you love eating sweets, you may wonder if you can share your desserts with your furry friend. However, this can be unhealthy or even dangerous in some cases.
In this article, we’ll discuss which sweet foods can be shared with your pup and which are best avoided. As always, consult your veterinarian if you have questions about your dog’s diet, especially if they have dietary restrictions or chronic health conditions.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Foods?
Dogs can eat some sweet foods in moderation, but too much sugar isn’t good for them. It can cause obesity, diabetes, and digestive issues. In addition, the high fat content in some sugary foods can cause pancreatitis.
If you’d like to feed your dog something sweet, your best option is to feed them a small amount of fruit that’s safe for dogs, such as a strawberry or a banana. A tiny bit of whipped cream is another popular choice, but it’s a lot less healthy than fruit!
Avoid baked goods and processed desserts, as they are unhealthy for dogs and may contain ingredients that are unsafe, such as xylitol (a sweetener commonly found in sugar-free foods), raisins, and macadamia nuts. Remember that your dog’s treats should never make up more than 10% of their total diet. A balanced dog food should make up the other 90%.
Can Dogs Eat Applesauce?
Dogs can eat plain, unsweetened applesauce in moderation. Applesauce with sugar and cinnamon is also safe in small quantities, but less healthy for your dog. Too much may cause digestive issues, obesity, or even diabetes.
Before feeding your dog applesauce, check the label for xylitol. This sweetener, sometimes called birch sugar, is toxic to dogs and must be avoided.
Dogs can also eat fresh apples so long as the core and seeds are removed. These parts of the fruit contain cyanide, which can lead to poisoning in large amounts. Of course, you’ll also want to remove these parts from any homemade applesauce.
Can Dogs Eat Whipped Cream?
Whipped cream is non-toxic and is a common treat for dogs! However, it should only be fed in small amounts, and not on a regular basis. This is because it contains a lot of sugar, which isn’t healthy for your pup. It also contains very few nutrients. Eating too much whipped cream may lead to stomach upset, obesity, or diabetes.
Before feeding your pup whipped cream, check that it doesn’t contain xylitol in the ingredients, as this sugar substitute is toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?
Ice cream is another popular choice for dogs. It can be safe, so long as it doesn’t contain toxic ingredients. However, ice cream also contains high amounts of fat and sugar, and should be fed in small amounts.
The best and most popular choice is vanilla ice cream that doesn’t contain xylitol. Avoid chocolate ice creams, and carefully check the ingredients in your other flavors before feeding them.
Since ice cream contains a lot of fat, it can potentially cause pancreatitis if eaten in high amounts. Do not feed it if your dog has a history of pancreatitis, and see a vet immediately if your dog shows signs of illness such as lethargy, depression, excessive vomiting, or excessive thirst. Pancreatitis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary care.
Can Dogs Eat White Chocolate?
Most people know that chocolate is toxic to dogs. However, is white chocolate safe? Unfortunately, the answer is no. While white chocolate contains fewer toxins and is the safest chocolate for your dog to get into, it can still cause poisoning.
The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it tends to be. Some of the most toxic chocolates for dogs are unsweetened baking chocolate and cocoa powder.
Can Dogs Eat Candy?
While some candies are non-toxic to dogs, it depends on what’s in them! Some contain chocolate, xylitol, caffeine, raisins, or other harmful ingredients. Candy is also high in sugar and offers very little nutritional benefit. We recommend that you keep it to yourself and avoid feeding it to your dog completely.
If you do, it should be in very small amounts and after thoroughly checking the ingredient list. Too much sugar can cause digestive issues, obesity, and diabetes in dogs. Sour candies may hurt your dog’s mouth, especially if they get into a lot of them!
The Best Sweet Treats for Dogs
The best sweet treats for dogs are fruits, but even these must be fed in moderation due to their sugar content. Avoid toxic fruits such as grapes and raisins. Raspberries and blackberries may also be toxic in high amounts, as they contain trace amounts of xylitol.
Research each fruit before feeding, as sometimes parts of the fruit are unsafe to feed. Examples include watermelon rinds, apple cores, and fruit pits. Always wash fruit thoroughly before giving it to your dog, just like you would before eating it yourself. Cut it into small pieces and offer just one or two bites, especially the first time your dog tries it.
Monitor your dog after eating new foods. If you see signs of stomach upset or an allergic reaction, don’t feed the fruit again. In the case of severe digestive issues or anaphylaxis, call your veterinarian immediately.
Some healthy fruits to try with your pup include:
- Watermelon – minus the rind and black seeds
- Strawberries – whole or cut into small pieces
- Apples – cut into slices or small bites, without the core or seeds
- Blueberries – whole in small amounts
- Bananas – cut into small slices, without the peel
Your dog may also enjoy sugary vegetables, such as carrots, plain pumpkin, or cooked sweet potatoes. Remember never to feed raw potatoes, as they are toxic to dogs. When cooking veggies for your pup, leave out any spices, salt, oils, butter, and added sugars. Plain is best!
