Can Dogs Eat Sugar? When it is or isn’t an Emergency

Eating too much sugar can have the same negative impact to dogs as it does to people. Dogs that eat too much sugar or sugar-based products may end up with long-term health problems such as dental decay and obesity.

Is it okay to give sugar to dogs?

Sugar isn’t toxic to dogs. It only becomes a problem if you let your dog eat sugar regularly and in large amounts. A small sugar cube, for example, is unlikely to make a dog sick if it’s given infrequently. We would, however, recommend much healthier alternatives than sugar cubes for dog treats.

What happens when dogs eat sugar?

There could be short-term health issues your dog may need to deal with if he eats too much sugar. For some dogs (especially those with sensitive stomachs), eating a large dose of sugar may trigger an upset stomach as well as other mild digestive symptoms like diarrhea. In such cases, it is advised to switch your dog’s diet to something bland (until he recovers) and to make sure he has access to plenty of clean water.

The above also applies to natural sugar found in fruits and other human foods, such as sugar canes. The consumption of sugar must always be moderated if you don’t want your dog to get sick. Artificial sweeteners are a different story. Xylitol, for example, is toxic to dogs and must be kept well away from your dog’s reach.