In fact, many dogs will keep eating as long as you continue to hand out delicious little morsels of food. Yet, overconsumption of treats can lead to an upset stomach, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, or just overall lethargy. (Think: that feeling you get after leaving an all-you-can-eat buffet.)
Dogs love nothing more than gobbling up a tasty treat. Treats are a delicious way to show your furry friend that you care and a way to reinforce good behavior. Additionally, many treats are so flavorful that they will keep your dog giggling long after they have finished eating them.
Despite the fact that most owners are more than willing to give in when they see those adorable puppy dog eyes, it’s crucial to limit their snacking.
Like humans, dogs who consume an excessive amount of treats may experience negative side effects. One of the messiest and most uncomfortable is diarrhea.
Numerous commercial dog treats contain unusual and added flavors that can be harmful to your dog’s digestive system. Treats will easily pass through their system when consumed in moderation. But if your dog eats a lot of it, they’ll have to pay the price.
There is no specific amount you shouldn’t go over when it comes to dog treats. When rewarding your dog, you should take into account a number of factors. One thing to keep in mind is that not all dog treats are created equal.
Manufacturers utilize unique formulas to create treats that are distinct. Some options may have a higher calorie count than others. To strike the right balance, one must consider treats as a smaller meal.
Worry about how those treats are affecting your dog’s daily caloric intake rather than how many treats you’re giving them.
Treats shouldn’t comprise more than 10% of a person’s daily calories in total. Keep track of the treats you give them and adjust the normal serving size of their main meals as necessary.
Consider the treat’s nutritional value and use that knowledge to calculate how many treats you can provide without entering risky territory. You should also consider your dog’s size and breed.
There are several factors that could contribute to your dog’s diarrhea if there are too many treats around. Usually, if the irritant is removed, diarrhea can be quickly treated.
Unfortunately, most owners don’t know what causes the stomach condition. Here are some typical treat-related elements that can cause your dog’s digestive system to become upset.
Fillers, as the name suggests, are intended to make your dog feel satisfied and full after eating a treat. They are frequently used to bulk up dog foods without significantly increasing production costs. Sadly, some of the most widely used filler components aren’t the healthiest for your dog’s digestive system.
Wheat, soy, and corn fillers are known to cause diarrhea. Dogs aren’t equipped to process these ingredients. As a result, as they pass through, your dog’s digestive system becomes out of balance.
Furthermore, fillers don’t hold much nutritional value. They basically fill empty space that could have been filled with more useful ingredients. The body doesn’t absorb the ingredients because there aren’t many nutrients to benefit from. Instead, they stay in the digestive tract until they’re excreted.
When purchasing dog treats, always stick to natural ingredients. Cheaper treats frequently include chemical additives that are unhealthy for your dog’s body. These additives are used to improve the treat’s color, add flavor, and extend its shelf life.
While occasionally consuming these treats won’t cause any major issues, overdosing may cause your dog’s body to become overworked. It won’t be able to process the ingredients well, which leads to uncomfortable diarrhea.
It’s crucial to read the ingredients list when purchasing treats. The treat is probably going to cause problems if you find a long list of ingredients that you can’t easily identify. There are numerous products available on the market that don’t contain artificial ingredients and make use of natural substitutes in order to produce the same results.
Dogs must consume fat in order to stay healthy and energized. Healthy fats can enhance the savory flavor of a treat and offer your dog many cosmetic advantages. Treats often have a significant amount of fat in them. They’re like junk food for the canine species.
Your dog’s normal stool will become a runny mess from all that extra fat, which will ultimately result in weight gain. Even if it doesn’t progress to the point of making your dog throw up, you might notice that the fat makes their poop greasy and slick.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that the formula of your dog’s standard kibble already contains fat. Consider the amount of fat in the dog food before selecting a treat for your dog and look for a treat that goes well with it.
Your dog’s diet should only contain 10% to 15% fat on a daily basis.
A sudden change in what your dog is consuming is one of the most common and underappreciated causes of diarrhea. Dogs are creatures that become accustomed to following their regular routine. They become used to performing the same actions and consuming the same foods.
The same idea holds true for treats: have you ever changed kibble formulas and noticed that it upset your dog’s stomach?
In most cases, your dog won’t have issues eating treats made of wildly different ingredients. A sudden influx of new treats, however, is an entirely different matter. It disrupts their system, making it challenging for them to process the new ingredients. Due to their extremely sensitive digestive systems, they will process the treat ineffectively, which will cause diarrhea.
You and your dog can share a variety of foods. Natural fruits and vegetables are accessible and give your dog an unprocessed nutrition boost. Even though these sweets are much healthier than those sold in stores, it’s still important to follow the same guidelines.
The impact of fruits and vegetables on your dog may actually be greater than that of commercial treats. This is due to the fact that unlike humans, dogs are unable to filter out unpleasant substances. However healthy the treat may seem, their stomachs may still react negatively.
Overall, rewards like treats should only be given out occasionally. Even though you might be tempted to reward your dog for every positive action they take, doing so can lead to some unpleasant consequences.
To prevent any unexpected upsets, introduce new foods slowly into your dog’s diet. To keep your dog comfortable and free from stomach pains, follow a strict calorie plan and pay close attention to what they are putting into their bodies.
Too Many Treats for Dogs
The answer to what happens when your dog eats too many treats depends on the kind of treat and how many your dog consumed.
For instance, if your dog ate a lot of candy, the excess sugar could make him sick. A high sugar intake can cause severe gas, cramps, and diarrhea. Some dogs may also become nauseated and vomit. Additionally, consuming an excessive amount of sugar can cause pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation) in some dogs. The symptoms of this potentially fatal condition may not appear for one or two days.
Another issue is that giving a dog too many treats on a regular basis can lead to weight gain or obesity. Heart disease and other serious health issues can result from obesity.
Some ingredients that might be present in candy cause allergies in some dogs. Wheat, soy, or corn can each cause an allergic reaction. Nuts, additives, dyes, and artificial flavors can also contribute to it. Even some dogs have allergies to certain proteins, like chicken. This is rarer, but it is a possibility. Dairy products, including milk, butter, and cheese, are another common allergen.
Additionally, it is possible to purchase dog treats that are contaminated or made of inferior ingredients. Certain treats imported from abroad have been linked to dog poisonings. It’s best to only purchase treats made in the US because of this.
Allium family plants, such as garlic and onions, avocados, coffee (beans, grounds, and more), grapes, hops, moldy foods or treats, salt, tea, walnuts, and other ingredients are toxic to dogs. These can make a dog very sick.
One more issue is sweets that contain xylitol. Humans use the artificial sweetener xylitol to replace sugar in their diets. Although xylitol appears to be safe for humans, it is extremely toxic to dogs.
Can too many treats hurt my dog?
Giving your dog excessive amounts of snacks will undoubtedly cause it to gain unhealthy weight that it does not need. Weight issues often lead to additional health issues. Finally, remember that less is better when it comes to treats. Try to avoid being duped by your dog into giving him more than you should have.
Why does my dog throw up after eating treats?
And like us, anxiety and stress can make your dog feel queasy and cause his stomach’s acid to rise. When dogs consume food too quickly, they don’t have enough time to thoroughly chew their larger kibble pieces. Additionally, they consume a large amount of air, which they can regurgitate or vomit back up.
FAQ
How many treats is too much for a puppy?
No more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories should come from treats. For instance, your dog should consume no more than 40 calories from treats per day, with the remaining 360 calories coming from their regular food (see the resting rate calorie counter below).
What if my dog ate too many treats?
If you believe that your dog has consumed a significant amount of food or treats, it is still crucial to call your veterinarian or an after-hours emergency hospital. This condition can be treated and give your dog immediate relief with prompt advice and care from a veterinarian.
How many treats can a puppy have in a day?
Treats shouldn’t account for more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake, so I’m wondering how many treats I can give my puppy per day. Therefore, if your puppy is given 1000 calories per day, only 100 of those calories can come from treats.
Can too many treats cause upset stomach in dogs?
Like humans, dogs who consume an excessive amount of treats may experience negative side effects. One of the messiest and most uncomfortable is diarrhea. Numerous commercial dog treats contain unusual and added flavors that can be harmful to your dog’s digestive system.