Sugar is everywhere. In fact, when you pick out a dog food at the supermarket, you will find that sugar is an ingredient is almost all products!
We all love sugar and like to have our sodas, crisps, candies, cakes, juices, and what not. These are some common items you can find in one’s household and all of them contain added sugar.
So, you can’t really keep your Golden Retriever away from sugar even if you wanted to.
But, is sugar safe for dogs to have?
In this blog post, I will answer the question, “Can dogs have sugar?” in as much detail as possible and share everything you need to know.
So, let’s get started.
Contents
Yes or No: Can My Golden Retriever Have Sugar?
Do you really think dogs need sugar to survive?
Your answer might be no because sugar isn’t actually a part of your dog’s natural diet.
However, what most people don’t know is that dogs actually do need sugar and most of your dog’s diet does actually consist of sugar.
Surprising, right?
Well, I’m not talking about the kind of sugar that you may be thinking of---not the powered white stuff. Your dog needs another form of sugar---which, you, too need to survive---and it’s called carbohydrates.
It is true that your body and that of your dog’s treats sugar and carbohydrates the same way.
But, sugar doesn't provide any nutritional value to your dog, and you should avoid giving processed sugar to your four-legged friend.
However, carbs are essential for your dog’s survival.
Sugar is safe for dogs---like like carbs---to consume only if you give it to them in small quantities. It can even be an occasional treat or something you give to your dog as leverage to give him medicine---we’ve all been there and done that.
But you do need to keep in mind that excess of everything is bad.
If your Golden Retriever has a lot of sugar and sugary treats in his life, he will get an upset stomach. This may even result in your dog having an aversive reaction such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Some sugar-free candies are downright toxic to dogs and can even cause death!
This is because they usually contain ingredients such as xylitol which is toxic to dogs and, if taken in large enough quantities, can even cause death.
An excess of sugary treats can cause your Golden Retriever to have cavities in his teeth which builds toxins up in your dog's system. Excessive sugar can also cause your dog to gain a lot of weight and be obese.
This may even result in diabetes.
So, in my opinion, it is a good idea to keep your pet as far away from sugar as possible. After all, your dog’s health matters the most and should be your top priority.
Moving on…
The Good and the Bad: Fructose in Dogs
As I mentioned in the earlier section, processed sugar is bad for your dog but, that doesn’t mean that all sugars are necessarily bad for your furry friend.
Fructose, also known as, fruit sugar provides your furry friend’s body with much-needed energy.
Fruits are an excellent source of this type of sugar, and they make a healthy and yummy treat for your furry friend. But, you do need to keep in mind that your doggy friend can’t have all kinds of fruits.
So, it is the best idea to look up fruits before giving them to your dog.
Keep in mind that while some fruits are safe for your furry friend, others may be downright toxic. The best choices for your dog include bananas, apples, pears, etc.
Xylitol and Golden Retrievers: Why Ignorance Can Be Fatal
Most people feel that since sugar is bad for their dog, sugar-free treat s would naturally be a good pick which is why they feed them to their furry friend.
That’s just wrong.
Most commercially available sugar-free candy and cola contains artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol which are more dangerous for dogs than sugar as they’re toxic. When taken in a large enough quantity, Xylitol can even be fatal to your furry friend.
So, in this case, a small sugary treat is a better option anyday.
Chocolates and Goldies: Yay or Nay
Chocolate is the ultimate comfort food.
Chocolate is something that's universally loved by all humans, be it toddlers, teenagers, adults, or the elderly.
However, you need to keep chocolate as far away from your Golden Retriever as possible as it contains theobromine which is toxic to dogs and just as dangerous as Xylitol.
Sticking to fruit seems like the best idea, right?
But, be sure that the fruit isn’t covered by a layer of chocolate!
Final Words: Can Dogs Have Sugar or is it Unsafe?
While sugar is safe for dogs to consume, it can lead to short-term as well as long-term problems if given in large enough quantities.
Some dog treats also contain sugar which is perfectly normal.
However, you need to put a limit on how much sugar your dog consumes per day. Practically, sugar doesn’t have any nutritional value for dogs but, it tastes just as good.
If you want your dog to have a yummy treat, fruits are the best choice.
Keep in mind to always call your vet or look a food up on the internet before giving it to your dog because it’s the ignorance that can prove to be fatal.
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