No, dogs should not have caramel. Caramel is mainly made up of sugar, which is toxic to dogs. Although it comes in various ways, it is most widely found in candy and a variety of desserts, such as pastries, puddings, ice cream, and more. While we, as humans, can enjoy it as a tasty treat, it has little nutritional value for dogs and can cause serious harm.
Table of Contents
What is Caramel made up of?
Caramel is a delicious candy made by heating sugar to 170 degrees Celsius (340 degrees Fahrenheit). Sugar is steadily heated to the specified temperature, resulting in the dissolution of molecules and new compounds’ formation. Such compounds have a deeper color and a creamy, slightly burned smell close to the taste of cakes and ice cream that we humans love.
Is Caramel Safe For Dogs?
Dogs can eat caramel occasionally. While caramel is not poisonous to dogs, it contains raw sugar, which you should never give to your dog. Sugar can cause health issues, including:
Obesity
Dental cavities
Diabetes
Some dogs have adverse reactions to sugar, causing diarrhea or vomiting after eating it. Other symptoms to look for include:
Restlessness
Slow focus
Lethargy
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Hyperactivity
Moodiness
Is Caramel harmful to dogs?
Dogs can eat caramel. It does not poison them. However, just because dogs can eat caramel does not mean they should. Sugar is heated to make caramel. Additional sugar is the last thing your dog needs in its diet.
Health issues if Caramel is consumed
Dental cavities: The cause of cavities is the accumulation of fermentable carbohydrates on the tooth surface, contributing to plaque and demineralization. Oral hygiene is a continuous homeostatic equilibrium between the nutrients in your dog’s tooth, enamel, and enzymes in his saliva. The cause of cavities is the retention of fermentable carbohydrates on the tooth surface, which leads to plaque and demineralization. Bacteria on the tooth surface digest sugars, resulting in demineralizing acids, which attack the dentin and enamel of the tooth.
Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is caused by poor food preferences, sugar, and caramel. Since the pancreas does not function well enough to produce insulin, your pet with type 2 diabetes may be unable to absorb the glucose it has absorbed.
Obesity: Dogs must sustain the appropriate weight for their breed form and height. Your dog is called obese if it exceeds the recommended weight. Obesity is related to several health conditions, and the following are only a couple of them:
Hypertension: When your pet’s blood pressure is unusually high, that means the blood isn’t circulating properly. Other vital organs, such as the heart and kidneys, can be affected if the dog’s blood pressure is consistently high. Keep sweets away from the dog to prevent excessive blood pressure. Avoid overfeeding the dog with sugar-rich food to avoid extra money for its hypertension care.
Hyperactivity: Sugar has the immediate effect of making your dog hyperactive. If you have children at home, you know the impact of sugar on their bodies. They get heavy and hyper as a result of this. You can say the same thing as you feed your dog treats. In a matter of minutes, the pet will become hyperactive and rambunctious. It will be anxious and run around your bed as if it needed to unleash pent-up energy.
Loss of Concentration: It becomes restless before succumbing to lethargy. Sugar has the same effect on our canine companion as it does on us humans. The body feels a fleeting rush of energy before calming down, resulting in hunger and dizziness. Furthermore, giving the dog candy treats like popcorn caramel causes a chemical change in the body. Your canine companion can become moody and have a strange habit of “forgetting” about you for a short period.
Physiological Changes: Overeating sugar, such as chocolate, has inevitable biochemical consequences. Vomiting and diarrhea are two of these symptoms. If it has absorbed too much Caramel, it is suggested that you take it to the veterinarian. Diarrhea will dehydrate your dog if it isn’t treated right away. The same holds when it comes to vomiting.
What if your dog ate caramel?
If your dog takes a bite of caramel by mistake, he should be fine. However, you cannot offer your pet caramel daily. And though caramel is not poisonous to pets, some caramel-based products are likely to contain other additives that are harmful to dogs. Take, for example, chocolate.
Eating chocolates can develop health issues such as:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Increased Thirst
Excessive Urination
Racing Heart Rate
In severe instances, symptoms can include:
Heart Failure
Muscle Tremors
Seizures
Take your dog to the vet immediately if he accidentally consumed caramel. Chocolate poisoning symptoms can take hours to appear, and they can last for days. The same precautions should be taken if your dog had caramel-flavored drinks or cookies.
Toxic caramel foods
As discussed, caramel itself is not toxic, but some foods containing caramel must be strictly avoided for dogs, such as:
Caramel flavored coffee candy and drinks
Caramel brownies
Caramel popcorn
Caramel filled chocolate
Alternatives to Caramel
Caramel does not provide any dietary value to your puppy. Let your dog’s reward count if you’re going to give him one. Here are some better treat alternatives that your dog would enjoy:
Cabbage
Celery
Pumpkin
Frozen sardines
Carrots
So, if you’re looking for a treat for your puppy, skip caramel. The high sugar content will cause health problems in the future.
The Final Words
Don’t give your dog too much candy. Sugar can lead to obesity, dental issues, and even diabetes. Too much sugar is unhealthy for us, so it’s not shocking that it’s still bad for dogs on a broader scale. Excessive treats are harmful to humans, so it’s apparent that it’s even worse for dogs on a larger scale. There are far better choices available, and you should feel confident about recommending them! For example, these crunchy strawberry cookies are both tasty and nutritious, with just 9 calories per treat.
Therefore, wave a NO to caramel and sugar candies, and go for healthy dog treats.
