Dogs love food, from fries and leftovers to sweet treats. But what if you want to treat your pup with a piece of caramel? Can dogs eat caramel?
Although caramel is technically not a toxic food, there are no benefits, only potential health problems.
Before giving your dog a caramel treat, consider the long-term effects such as diabetes, addiction, and obesity. Nobody wants that for their dog, right?
Speaking of treats…. dogs love treats right? But does your dog have a sensitive tummy? Woof! Here’s a list of treats for dogs with sensitive stomach.
To help you understand the risks of dogs eating caramel, read on to find out everything you need to know about giving your dog caramel. Which symptoms to look for, long-term risks, and what happens if they eat it.
Can Your Dog Eat Caramel?
Simply put, NO they shouldn’t!
Although not completely toxic, caramel can cause obesity, diabetes, and dental disease in dogs. The sugar content can also cause them to become overweight.
You might notice a change in your dog’s behavior if they eat too much sugar.
This could include hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating and being lethargic. If your dog eats caramel, make sure to keep a close eye on him and contact your vet immediately if you notice some unusual symptoms.
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Symptoms To Watch For If You Dog Ate Caramel
Diarrhea
This is a common symptom after ingesting too much sugar. If your dog is experiencing this symptom, contact your vet right away.
Read More: Best Dog Food Less Poop. In this article, we will cover important things to keep in mind while choosing dog food for less poop.
Vomiting
If eaten in large quantities, caramel can cause vomiting.
This will likely occur within the first three hours of ingestion. It is not usually life-threatening, but keep an eye on your dog for any additional symptoms that may indicate a problem.
Hyperactivity
Caramel is high in sugar, and if your dog eats too much, it can become hyperactive. This can change their personality and behavior.
Also, excessive sugar intake can cause difficulty sleeping.
Lethargy
If your dog eats too much caramel, it might become lethargic.
This can be accompanied by:
- low blood pressure,
- reduced heart rate,
- slow breathing.
All of these symptoms indicate that your dog should be treated as soon as possible by a vet.
Seizures
Although rare, if your dog overeats sugar, it can have seizures. Some dogs do not show any symptoms of sugar intoxication, and this is when it becomes dangerous.
Seizures can sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms, including loss of consciousness and muscle spasms.
Long Term Risks Of Dogs Eating Caramel
Obesity
Because caramel is loaded with sugar, it can cause your dog to become obese. Caramel has empty calories that add nothing in terms of nutrition, so they accumulate in the body and lead to weight gain.
When your dog is carrying excess weight, it becomes more prone to other health issues, including heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.
Diabetes
If your dog is frequently fed treats with high sugar content, it will likely develop diabetes.
This happens because dogs are unable to process the excess sugar that accumulates in their system. When dogs suffer from diabetes, it can cause additional symptoms, including kidney failure, pancreatitis, and dogs will completely stop eating.
Dental Problems
When your dog eats caramel, it can cause dental problems, including plaque buildup and cavities.
It’s important to maintain your dog’s oral health. They use their teeth and mouth for many things including chewing, biting, and even protecting themselves, so watching what they eat is vital.
Addiction
Eating caramel can cause your dog to become addicted to sugar.
They will constantly crave it and misbehave if they can’t get “their fix.” When you give your dog excess sugary treats, it changes the chemistry of their brain and encourages addiction.
Related Article: Are you wondering if Can Dogs Eat Jalapenos? Well, ECC talked over if you should worry that your dog may have eaten a Jalapeno and what to do if he has…
What Happens If Your Dog Eats Caramel?
In most cases, dogs will just expel any excess sugar from their systems. In some cases, it could cause them to have the “zoomies” – the technical term is Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPS), or sudden bursts of energy.
This is a form of canine epilepsy and can be triggered by high sugar levels. Basically, this means that your dog will start running around in a frenzy. If they are not acting normally, you should seek medical care immediately.
In rare cases, it can be life-threatening. If your dog overeats caramel and shows any of the symptoms listed above, consult a vet.
People Also Ask
Can Caramel Kill My Dog?
No, caramel is not toxic to dogs. However, it can cause them problems in the future because it is not good for their health.
Caramel contains sugar and fat, two things dogs do not need in their diets.
There is no set amount of caramel that is safe for dogs to eat, so it is best to keep them away from the candy and avoid any problems that could arise in the future.
Will Caramel Candy Hurt My Dog?
Caramel candy will not hurt your dog, but it can cause them health problems in the future.
It’s best to avoid giving your dog anything that contains sugar or fat because both of these are bad for their health and diet.
Also, if they eat too much sugar it could potentially trigger seizures, which is life-threatening.
Can Dogs Eat Caramel Popcorn?
Not really. Caramel popcorn is known to be very sweet, sticky, and sugary, which is bad for dogs’ health.
Plain popcorn is generally safe for dogs if consumed in small amounts. However, any popcorn served with toppings, including caramel or butter, is considered unsafe for your dog if eaten regularly.
However, if your dog happens to eat a piece of caramel popcorn that you accidentally dropped on the floor, it won’t hurt them. Just make sure they don’t eat too much and monitor them closely.
Can Dogs Eat Caramel Rice Cakes?
The answer is also NO.
Dogs can eat plain rice cakes, provided they are not too sweet. Rice as the main ingredient of rice cakes is perfectly fine for dogs. Dogs can eat rice regularly, which is why rice is often used in dog food.
However, rice cakes are not good for dogs as they lack nutrients and add no nutritional value to their diet.
Rice cakes become problematic when you add sugars, caramel, and chocolate.
Can Dogs Eat Caramel Corn?
While technically not toxic to dogs, caramel corn is still dangerous for them. A dog shouldn’t eat sugar as it can cause insulin resistance which means they are more likely to develop diabetes and other diseases.
It’s best to avoid giving dogs anything with sugar in it, including caramel corn, candy, and cakes
Conclusion
We all love to give our lovable dogs a sweet treat from time to time, but we should be mindful of what we give them.
And in terms of dogs eating caramel, my suggestion is to stay away from it!
Although caramel candy is generally not toxic or fatal for dogs, it can also cause many health problems such as obesity, dental disease, diabetes, and seizures later on if they are given too much of it.
In the end, it is best to avoid giving them any food that contains sugar or caramel as a general rule of thumb.
A healthy dog food diet is always best!
Do you give your dogs any sweet treats?
If you have any more questions about this topic, feel free to ask us in the comments below! For another food-related article, may we suggest this one— Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate Seeds.
