Can dogs be given sweets and why do they like sweets?

Not only people, but also dogs love to eat sweet foods. How difficult it is for us to resist a tidbit, we eat it, and at the same time we treat it to our beloved pet. It is impossible not to share when a pair of attentive eyes are watching your every move in the hope of getting a piece of sugar, candy or chocolate. And we share. However, the moment always comes when a good dog owner thinks about whether it is possible to give sweets to his pet. and in what quantities this delicacy will not harm the animal.

Sweet foods belong to the so-called fast carbohydrates, which, when entering our body, provide it with energy, giving strength and dulling hunger for a short time. Like humans, a dog needs glucose for normal brain function and maintenance of the entire body system as a whole. But, unlike humans, a dog needs much less sugar... The enzymatic system of an animal is structured differently from that of a person; the dog's pancreas does not produce a large amount of digestive enzymes necessary for processing and assimilating sugar. Thus, the excess glucose, entering the dog's body, causes indigestion, accompanied by fermentation in its intestines. Often, with excessive consumption of sweets, your pet will have vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, general weakness and lethargy due to pain in the intestines.

The harmful effects of sugar also affect the functioning of the pancreas and liver. These organs simply cannot handle large amounts of glucose.In addition, sugar leads to the fact that the animal's eyes begin to fester, this process is accompanied by severe lacrimation and reddening of the dog's eyeballs.

Sugar is also bad for a dog's mouth. Often she develops caries or pulpitis, the treatment of which can only be performed under general anesthesia, which is not a useful measure for the animal. Pets who eat sugar for a long time often suffer from extreme obesity, which is associated with a violation of hormonal levels and metabolism. Dogs, like people, can suffer from diabetes mellitus, the symptoms of which are the same in animals as in humans. This condition is life-threatening for your pet, and it all started with a harmless little piece of sugar.

Under the influence of sugar, the dog's body suffers from a weakening of the immune system. The animal is susceptible to colds, and if it has even minor wounds on its paws or body, their healing occurs extremely slowly and poorly, turning into extensive abscesses. To treat such purulent processes, the dog will need antibiotics, which will increase the load on the liver, and it is already struggling to cope with its functions. In some cases, under the influence of glucose in the dog's body, an allergic reaction can begin, while the animal often loses its hair and has focal baldness. Allergies can be accompanied by skin diseases, which cause a lot of trouble and inconvenience to both the owner and the dog - the animal constantly experiences itching and burning of the skin, it is restless, does not sleep well and suffers from a decrease in appetite. Sometimes, tired of this state, the dog becomes aggressive.

Sugar for any organism is a kind of doping, so you get used to it rather quickly. Little puppies who ate their mother's milk do not know what sugar is. Growing up, they may not eat it at all, but once tasted, the dog remembers the taste of this substance. As a rule, the acquaintance with sweet delicacies is carried out by the person himself. Some dog breeders reward their pet for following commands during training by giving them small lumps of sugar. Gradually, the dog gets used to the treat and waits for it to be received again.

Sometimes dog breeders mistakenly think that sugar can be substituted with sweeteners and given to a dog who loves sweet treats. But such foods harm the dog's body no less than regular sugar. Therefore, sweeteners are not a panacea for the safe use of sweets. When the dog has not been accustomed to eating sugar, the animal's sudden cravings for sweets may be due to a lack of minerals or vitamins in its body. The addiction to sweets can also be explained by the fact that your pet does not have enough carbohydrates in its diet. A veterinarian's consultation will help you choose a complex of vitamin preparations and create a complete diet.

Besides, interest in sweets in a dog can arise completely spontaneously - the animal is often in close contact with its owner, if you eat something in the presence of a dog, then, of course, this arouses the interest of your four-legged friend. Many people want to share their meal with their pet, forgetting that such food is not meant for dogs.

There is a list of sweet foods that should not be given to a dog, as their use causes irreparable damage to the health of the animal. It is worth paying attention to the list of forbidden foods for your dog.

• Products made from cocoa beans, which include chocolate. Cocoa beans contain a substance called theobromine, which is not absorbed in the dog's body due to the lack of necessary enzymes for this. To lead an animal to death, it is enough to introduce into its body 300–350 mcg of theobromine, which is contained in 1 bar of dark chocolate. All kinds of creams and chocolate pastes are dangerous to the dog's health and life - they can also contain a high concentration of theobromine.
• Sugar substitutes, which include xylitol. After this substance enters the dog's body, it develops a sharp spasmodic rise in blood glucose levels, which entails a huge amount of insulin production. Such a jump dramatically affects the health of the animal, causing symptoms of body poisoning and malfunctioning of the liver and pancreas. In such a situation, the pet will need urgent veterinary assistance. Xylitol or xylitol (as it is also called) is found in chewing gum, some types of gummies, and toothpaste.
• Grape. This product is dangerous to animals both fresh and dried. The fact is that the berries contain a large amount of glucose, and getting into the stomach and intestines of the dog, the fruits of the grapes cause strong fermentation processes.
• Citrus fruit. Dogs can ignore them, but there are some individuals who gladly accept them for food. The danger from citrus fruits is that they are the strongest allergens.
• Fruits and berries that contain large fruit pits inside them. Such foods should not be given whole to the animal, as there is a risk that your pet may develop intestinal obstruction, which is formed due to the blockage of the intestinal lumen by fruit pits. Sometimes veterinarians have to do surgery under general anesthesia to save the dog.
• Watermelons and melons. These sugary foods are poorly absorbed in the dog's body, as they are rich in sugars and vegetable fiber. Veterinarians believe that watermelon and melon have a negative effect on the kidneys of the animal, causing the risk of developing urolithiasis and inflammation.
• Plum, peach or apricot. Even if you remove the large fruit pits from these fruits, it is not recommended to give them to your dog. These products have a laxative effect on the intestines, the development of diarrhea will not be long in coming.

If you see how your pet eats prohibited foods without your knowledge, try to take them away from the dog and immediately go to the veterinarian. At the same time, try to at least roughly determine the amount of harmful food eaten by the dog.

Don't assume that your four-legged pet shouldn't have glucose in its diet. This substance is necessary for the animal for the full functioning of its body. But the dosage of the substance used must correspond to the physiological norm. There are foods that are good for your dog's body.

• Ripe and fresh bananas. This fruit is rich in carbohydrates and also contains magnesium, selenium and potassium. In small amounts, bananas will be beneficial for the dog's body, increasing stamina and improving digestion.
• Apple. Sweet apple varieties are rich in fructose, which is well absorbed by the dog's body.In addition, these fruits contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals, in particular - apples are rich in iron, which improves blood composition.
• Roots. These include sweet varieties of carrots, rutabagas, turnips. These vegetables improve the functioning of the dog's intestines and saturate his body with valuable microelements.
• Pumpkin, zucchini. There is little sweetness in these vegetables, but they are used as an addition to the main food. In small quantities, vegetables improve the functioning of the digestive system and prevent constipation, especially if your pet eats dry types of food.
• Natural bee honey. This product can occasionally be given to your four-legged friend as a treat. A medium-sized dog can eat 1 teaspoon of this product per day. Honey is a valuable source of vitamins and minerals.
• Raspberries. The taste of these berries is very sweet, but if consumed in moderation, they will not bring harm, on the contrary, they will only benefit the animal's body, since they contain a whole complex of essential vitamins and minerals.

In addition to foods that have a sweet taste, you can also give dogs meats or sugar bones as a treat. Sometimes it is useful for dogs to introduce pig ears or tails into the diet, as well as to provide large cartilages.

For information on whether you can give sweets to dogs, see the next video.