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Who doesn’t enjoy a sweet treat like caramel once in a while? Caramel is popular to eat on its own or combined with other foods. And you can bet that if your dog sees you eating caramel, he’ll come running over for his share. But can caramel make a dog sick?
Has your dog eaten caramel? Are you worried the caramel will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about caramel and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Caramel?
Caramel is an orange-brown candy that’s made by heating sugar. Caramel can be enjoyed as a candy, but it can also be used as a topping, flavoring, and more.
Caramel is made by slowly heating sugar to 170 C (340 F). The sugar begins to melt, breaking the molecules in the sugar that reform into other compounds that have a caramel color and flavor.
While caramel is safe for humans (in moderation), what about dogs? Can caramel make a dog sick?
Caramel & Dogs
Unfortunately, caramel can make a dog sick. However, if your dog eats one piece of caramel, chances are he will be OK. Caramel is not toxic to dogs. The problem is that the candy is made completely of sugar.
Too much sugar can make a dog sick.
If a dog loves to eat caramel as a treat fairly often, there’s also a danger of other medical conditions developing, including:
- Diabetes
- Tooth decay
- Obesity
- And more
For these reasons, dogs should never eat caramel.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Caramel Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten caramel:
- Hyperactivity
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lethargy
- Moodiness
- Irritability
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, it’s best to call the vet right away. If your dog develops vomiting and diarrhea that lasts longer than 12 to 24 hours, it’s time to call the vet. With continuous vomiting & diarrhea, a dog could become seriously dehydrated.
Treatment of Caramel Ingestion in Dogs
If your dog has vomiting and diarrhea, or other symptoms mentioned above, the vet will treat your fur baby with medications. In some cases, the dog may require an IV with fluids.
The good news is that most dogs will make a full recovery after eating caramel! And it’s a good idea to keep caramel and other candy out of your dog’s reach. You’ll both be happier for it!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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