Is it possible to give dogs sweets and why do they love it?

Sweet foods like to eat not only people, but also dogs. How difficult it is for us to resist a tidbit, we eat it, and at the same time we treat it to the treat of our beloved pet. It’s impossible not to share when each of your movements is watched by a pair of attentive eyes in the hope of getting a piece of sugar, candy or chocolate. And we share. However, a moment definitely comes when a good dog owner thinks about whether it is possible to give sweets to your pet. and in what quantities this delicacy will not harm the animal.

Sweet foods belong to the so-called fast carbohydrates, which, getting into our body, provide it with energy, giving strength and for a short time dulling the feeling of hunger. Like a person, a dog needs glucose for the normal functioning of the brain and maintenance of the entire body system. But, unlike humans, dogs need much less sugar. The enzymatic system of the animal is arranged differently than in humans; the dog’s pancreas does not produce large amounts of digestive enzymes necessary for processing and assimilation of sugar. Thus, excess glucose entering the dog’s body causes digestion, accompanied by fermentation in its intestines. Often with excessive consumption of sweets, your pet will experience vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, general weakness and lethargy due to pain in the intestines.

The detrimental effect of sugar affects the work of the pancreas and liver. These organs simply cannot handle the processing of large amounts of glucose.In addition, sugar leads to the fact that the animal begins to suppurate the eyes, this process is accompanied by severe lacrimation and redness of the dog’s eyeballs.

Sugar also affects the dog’s mouth. Often, she develops caries or pulpitis, the treatment of which can be performed only under general anesthesia, which is not a useful event for the animal. Pets, who consume sugar for a long time, often suffer from extreme degrees of obesity, which is associated with a violation of the hormonal background and metabolism. Dogs, like humans, can suffer from diabetes mellitus, the symptoms of which occur in an animal in the same way as in humans. This condition is dangerous for the life of your pet, and it all started with a harmless little piece of sugar.

Under the influence of sugar, the dog's body suffers from weakened immunity. The animal is prone to colds, and if it has even minor wounds on its feet or body, their healing takes place extremely slowly and poorly, turning into extensive ulcers. For the treatment of such purulent processes, the dog will need antibiotics that will increase the load on the liver, and it already struggles with its functions. In some cases, under the influence of glucose, an allergic reaction may begin in the dog's body, while the animal often loses its coat 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, sleeps poorly and suffers from a decrease in appetite. Sometimes, tired of this condition, the dog becomes aggressive.

Sugar for any organism is a kind of dope, so getting used to it comes pretty quickly. Little puppies fed on mother’s milk do not know what sugar is. Growing up, they may not eat it at all, but once having tried it, the dog remembers the taste of this substance. As a rule, acquaintance with sweet delicacies is carried out by the person himself. Some dog breeders, encouraging their pet to follow commands in the training process, give them small pieces 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 replaced with sugar substitutes and given to a dog who loves sweet treats. But such products harm the canine organism no less than regular sugar. Therefore, sweeteners are not a panacea for the safe use of sweets. When the dog was not accustomed to consuming sugar, the sudden craving of the animal for sweets can be due to a lack of mineral components or vitamins in his body. Addiction to sweets can also be explained by the fact that your pet does not have enough carbohydrates in the diet. A consultation of a veterinarian will help you choose a complex of vitamin preparations and make 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 causes interest in your four-legged friend. Many people have a desire to share their meal with a pet, forgetting that such food is not intended for dogs.

There is a list of sweet foods that can not be given to a dog, as their use causes irreparable damage to the health of the animal. You should pay attention to the list of prohibited foods for your dog.

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

If you saw your pet eating forbidden foods without your knowledge, try to take them from your dog and immediately get ready to see a veterinarian. In this case, try to at least approximately determine the amount of harmful product eaten by the dog.

Do not assume that your four-legged pet's diet should not contain glucose-containing foods. This substance is necessary for the animal for the full functioning of its body. But the dosage of the substance used must comply with 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 a small amount, bananas will be beneficial for the dog's body, increasing stamina and improving digestion.
• An Apple. Sweet varieties of apples 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, swede, turnips. These vegetables improve the intestines of the dog and saturate the body with valuable trace elements.
• Pumpkin, zucchini. Sweets in these vegetables are few, but they are used as an additive to the main food. In small quantities, vegetables improve the digestive system and prevent the occurrence of constipation, especially if your pet eats dry types of feed.
• 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 with moderate use they will not bring harm, on the contrary, they will only benefit the animal's body, as they contain a whole complex of essential vitamins and minerals.

In addition to products with a sweet taste, you can give meat products or sugar bones as a treat for dogs. Sometimes it is useful for dogs to introduce pork ears or tails into the diet, as well as give large cartilages.

About whether it is possible to give dogs sweets, see the next video.