Can Dogs Have Twizzlers? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
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View 2 More +Dogs enjoy eating many human snacks, and it’s really difficult to resist sharing your food when your dog is giving you puppy eyes. Fortunately, there are many healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables that you can give to your dog as treats. So, there’s no need to feed your dog candy and other sugary snacks and desserts.
If your dog eats a bit of Twizzler, they should be fine. But while Twizzlers aren’t toxic to dogs, they still shouldn’t be fed to them intentionally or in large amounts. Twizzlers contain too much sugar and don’t provide any nutritional benefits for dogs, so it’s best to skip this snack and feed your dog something healthier.
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Twizzlers?
Fortunately, Twizzlers don’t contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs. So, you don’t have to worry too much if your dog takes a small bite. However, it’s not good to feed your dog Twizzlers as treats because they don’t contain any ingredients that benefit their health. In fact, prolonged feeding puts your dog at a higher risk of developing health complications. Here’s a breakdown of the main ingredients inside Twizzlers.
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is high in sugar and calories. It also doesn’t contain any essential nutrients for dogs, so it really doesn’t offer any benefits to your dog’s diet. Eating too much high fructose corn syrup will also inevitably cause negative impacts on your dog’s health. High fructose corn syrup has been linked to several chronic health issues in people, including insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Enriched Wheat Flour
In general, wheat is a good source of carbohydrates and is commonly used in commercial dog food and treats. In some contexts, wheat can add nutritional benefits to a dog’s diet. However, it’s also important to note that some dog breeds can’t digest wheat very easily. For example, some Irish Setters can have a gluten intolerance that causes them to get an immune reaction if they eat foods containing wheat.
Sugar
Along with listing corn syrup as their first ingredient, Twizzlers also contain sugar. Dogs can taste sweet, and some can develop a sweet tooth. They may be drawn to Twizzlers because of their sweetness. However, consuming too much sugar in one sitting can lead to an upset stomach, and like corn syrup, overconsumption can lead to more health complications.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is commonly used as a thickener. While it’s not dangerous for dogs to eat it, it has no significant nutritional value. It also contains a lot of carbohydrates and is a relatively high-calorie ingredient.
Dangers of Feeding Twizzlers to Dogs
Your dog may not get sick the moment they eat a Twizzler. However, it’s still best to avoid feeding your dog Twizzlers because continuing to eat them can lead to health complications.
Allergens and Artificial Ingredients
Twizzlers aren’t designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs and food sensitivities. Along with containing wheat and soy, they also contain artificial colors and flavors. So, if your dog tends to get an upset stomach easily or has food allergies, it’s best to refrain from feeding them Twizzlers since they contain ambiguous artificial ingredients.
Weight Gain and Obesity
Continuously feeding your dog sugary, high-calorie foods will eventually lead to excessive weight gain and obesity. Obesity can lower a dog’s quality of life significantly, as it reduces their mobility and puts them at risk of developing arthritis, other joint issues, certain cancers, and pancreatitis which can lead to diabetes.
Dogs don’t need any added sugars in their diet. If they like sweet foods, it’s much better and healthier for them to eat pieces of fruit like apples, bananas, and blueberries.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats a Twizzler
In most cases, your dog won’t experience significant issues if they’ve snuck a bite of a Twizzler. However, some dogs with more sensitive stomachs may get an upset stomach. Signs of an upset stomach in dogs include the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Licking lips or gulping air (nausea)
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
It’s recommended to contact your veterinarian if you notice signs of an upset stomach in your dog. You can let your veterinarian know how much of a Twizzler your dog has eaten, and your veterinarian can give you the next steps to help your dog get through their upset stomach.
If your dog’s upset stomach persists with frequent vomiting, bloody diarrhea, or fever, it’s important to get your dog to veterinary care as soon as possible.
If you have a question about your dog's health or behavior, why not Ask a Vet for free? Our veterinary team answers reader questions and provides trusted advice to help you better understand your dog.
Conclusion
Most dogs will be okay if they eat a bite of a Twizzler. However, continuous feeding will be harmful to them in the long run and put them at risk of developing a number of significant health issues. So, if your dog enjoys eating sweet and fruity flavors, stick to feeding them real fruit that’s safe for them to eat.
Featured Image Credit: Olinda, Shutterstock
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Jessica is a freelance writer who spends bigger part of her day researching and writing while her furry companion Cavapoo, Nora, snoozes beside her. She loves dogs, pets and animals because there’s so much to learn from them, and they do so much for us. As a dog mom, she understands the strong connection that pet parents have with their pets. So, she loves sharing helpful information that pet owners can use to better understand their beloved pets. When she isn't writing, you may find her walking dogs, tending to her plants, or drinking her nth cup of coffee.
