Don’t you just love eating a sweet snack every once in a while? Nothing is as satisfying as sugar (well, chocolate takes the cake!). Sometimes a small cookie or piece of candy can give you just a little bit of energy to get something done.
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While we can safely enjoy sugar in small amounts, what about our dogs? Is sugar OK for dogs? Can sugar make your dog sick?
Sugar & Dogs
Granulated sugar is really not healthy for our dogs. While it’s not toxic, too much sugar can cause many health issues in dogs. For one thing, dogs can develop problems with their weight. If your dog has sugar on a regular basis, he could gain weight or become obese. Sugar also causes tooth decay, can lead to diabetes, and more.
Eating too much granulated sugar at one time can also cause some digestive tract issues. These can include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas, and nausea.
This type of sugar in small amounts, as a rare treat, is OK for dogs. It’s just not something they should have every day.
Symptoms a Dog Has Had Too Much Sugar
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has had too much sugar:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
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Ask a Vet Live NowPancreatitis in Dogs
In some cases, too much sugar can also cause a condition called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can develop when the pancreas becomes too inflamed, which causes digestive enzymes from the pancreas to pour into the abdominal cavity. This can cause damage to the gall bladder, liver, bile ducts, and intestines.
This condition can be set off by a meal too high in fat due to medications such as corticosteroids or even from eating too much sugar.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has developed pancreatitis:
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Dog may take up “praying position” (rear end up in the air, front legs and head lowered to the floor)
If your dog has developed any of these symptoms of pancreatitis, it’s time to call the vet. This is a medical emergency.
As you can see, sugar as a once-in-a-while small treat is OK for dogs. However, if your fur baby has eaten a lot of granulated sugar, a batch of cookies, etc., then it’s a good idea to call the vet.
And call right away if your dog shows any signs of pancreatitis. The sooner your dog receives medical care, the higher his chances of surviving pancreatitis.
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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