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It’s a fact that most dogs love to eat! They’ll eat almost anything and everything, including treats. Some pet parents feed their dogs too many treats. However, dogs may also help themselves to a bag or box of treats and munch down! But what happens if a dog eats too many treats?
Has your dog eaten treats? Are you worried the treats will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog does something like this.
We’ve gathered information about what can happen if a dog eats too many treats and whether this can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What Happens When a Dog Eats Too Many Treats?
Dogs that eat too many treats at once may develop a condition called bloat. Bloat is not the same thing as GDV (gastric dilation & volvulus). Food bloat happens when a dog eats a large amount of food in a short time. The dog may eat fast, which means he’s also eating air along with the treats. The stomach becomes enlarged and stretches farther than normal, causing pain and discomfort.
You might say this is something like eating too much at a Thanksgiving dinner. Your stomach can feel too full and may even feel painful. And you may not even feel like moving! That’s about what your dog feels like after eating too many treats!
Symptoms of Food Bloat in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten too many treats:
- Retching or trying to vomit, but nothing comes up
- Panting
- Restlessness
- Drooling
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Chest may look swollen or like it’s sticking out too far
- Lack of energy
- Lack of appetite
- Increased (or decreased) water consumption
If you notice these or other symptoms in your dog, it’s best to call the vet. These symptoms can resemble GDV, which is a deadly condition that must be treated right away by the vet. If not, the condition can cause death. It’s very difficult for a pet parent to determine the difference between this condition and food bloat.
Note: Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by the vet.
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Ask a Vet Live NowTreatment of Food Bloat
After a physical exam, the vet will determine whether your dog has GDV or food bloat. If he has food boat, the vet may try to induce vomiting. However, if your fur baby doesn’t vomit, the vet may need to give your dog an IV with fluids to keep him hydrated.
The vet may try to use medications that can speed up digestion. These help the stomach empty faster. Even so, your canine companion may need to be hospitalized until his stomach is back down to size and food is moving through the digestive system.
The prognosis is best for dogs that receive prompt medical attention after eating too many treats. Most dogs will make a full recovery.
In the future, it’s best to keep all treats out of your dog’s reach. You’ll both be happier for it!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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