As a pet lover and a dog owner, we are very careful and alert about the diet and health of our dogs. We are always very concerned about what to give to our dogs and what to prevent.
As a dog owner, we should be very careful about the diet that we are giving to our dogs. Their safety must be our first priority and just for a little bit of taste and fun we cannot put their health in danger as health comes first.
Many people ask whether Dogs can have Swedish fish or is it good for dogs or not? Today we’ll discuss these questions in detail. So you become aware of all aspects of the topic.
A very frequently asked question,
Can dogs eat Swedish Fish? The answer is No, dogs shouldn’t eat Swedish Fish or any other type of candy. Swedish Fish candy doesn’t contain any specific ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
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If you are in love with the fish-shaped candy, you will surely have a bag of Swedish Fish somewhere in your house or somewhere near you, probably in your car or purse. You have definitely thought about what would happen if your dog grabs a bag of Swedish Fish Candy in their paws.
You will be very disappointed to know that Swedish Fish are not good for you nor for your dog. The first three products are sugar, inverted sugar, and corn syrup. All are used as sweetening products with.
The main reason to avoid Swedish Fish for dogs is due to the presence of sugar in a very considerable amount and remember sugar is not good for your pooch. Intake of a very large amount of sugar at once can make the dog’s stomach upset, cavities, weight gain, and lead to diabetes.
In this article, we’ll tell you why dogs shouldn’t eat Swedish Fish and what you should do if your pup manages to eat some. Keep on reading to find out more!
Swedish Fish Ingredients
Let us discuss the ingredients of Swedish fish to understand its advantages and disadvantages on the health of dogs.
The ingredients include Sugar, Invert sugar, corn syrup, modified corn starch, citric acid, white mineral oil, natural & artificial flavor, red 40, and carnauba wax. The first three ingredients in Swedish Fish candy are sugar, inverted sugar, and corn syrup.
It is very important to know that all ingredients of Swedish fish provide you with empty calories – they don’t come with the other minerals and nutrients you need to get through the day. They rot your teeth and can harm your gums
Can Dogs Eat Swedish Fish? Is Swedish Fish Good for Dogs?
Swedish Fish are not good for your dog. Aside from the empty calories in the sugar, Swedish Fish have no nutritional benefit. They do not give any nutritional benefits or provide any vitamins that are required by the body to be happy and healthy.
The first three ingredients in Swedish Fish candy are sugar, inverted sugar, and corn syrup. Keeping in mind that dogs need proteins to grow and function properly, it’s very clear that eating candy won’t fulfill your pooch’s nutritional needs.
Furthermore, these candies don’t contain any essential vitamins and minerals your dog’s body needs to function properly throughout the day. It’s also worth mentioning that Swedish Fish candy has no dietary fiber, and won’t provide any benefits to your dog’s digestive system.
Overall, eating Swedish Fish candy won’t provide any nutritional benefits to your dog or their health. In fact, all those empty calories found in this candy can only cause your dog to gain weight and become obese which is definitely a curse.
Can Puppies Eat Swedish Fish?
You should consider the fact that puppies are more sensitive and vulnerable to all risks and diseases as compared to young or grown dogs. Like young dogs Swedish fish is not toxic for puppies but it may adversely affect the health of puppies.
Does Swedish Fish Contains Xylitol?
You will be very happy to know that Swedish fish does not contain xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener which is naturally derived and is very harmful for dogs. So you do not have to panic or be very worried if your pooch somehow manages to eat a few.
It is interesting that accidental intake in small quantities is not toxic unlike the products containing Xylitol.
Health Risks Of Feeding Swedish Fish?
Although eating Swedish Fish by dogs is not toxic but remember dog’s eating Swedish Fish is NOT totally risk free. It definitely comes up with many side effects which may not be good for your dog. Swedish fish has following disadvantages
Too Much Sugar
As mentioned before, Swedish Fish candy has sugar, invert sugar, and corn syrup with other ingredients. All of these sweetening products have high yet different levels of glucose and fructose.
When it comes to ingredients, there isn’t much else that can slow down the rate your dog’s body absorbs glucose and fructose. Therefore eating this fish-shaped candy will cause a huge increase in your dog’s blood sugar levels, which will lead to a crash.
In addition, the sugar molecules can pull water from your dog’s cells causing the water to build up in the body. The excess water in the organism can stop your dog from staying hydrated, which will create sodium and electrolyte imbalance.
Digestive Problems
Eating too much Swedish Fish candy in one go can lead to digestive problems in dogs. When they are consumed in large amounts, the sugar from this candy can be a reason for vomiting and diarrhea in canines.
Always keep in mind that if you pooch takes too much sugar he / she might face the problem of constipation. If your pup faces any type of digestive issue after ingesting Swedish Fish, know that it is surely caused by the sugar in the candy.
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You should remember that bacteria present in your puppy’s mouth use sugar to produce acid which will harm the enamel and consequently lead to tooth decay. Furthermore, the bacteria from the teeth can spread to your dog’s gums causing gingivitis and painful dental problems.
The problem may be very serious, observing the severity of your dog’s dental issues you may end up spending a lot of money on treatments and dental surgeries.
Obesity
You would be aware that Obesity is a very common health challenge in dogs. As a dog lover you would be very conscious about foods for dogs’ fitness. Swedish Fish can affect the dog’s health by triggering the dog to obesity.
Like all other candies, Swedish Fish is full of empty calories that won’t offer anything to your dog, except gain weight. An obese dog is at a peak of getting many diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure blockage of arteries and other heart diseases.
Unfortunately, obesity is a big problem for many dogs and it can’t be fixed overnight. Thus, keep a check of how much food you are feeding to your dog and steer clear of human foods and snacks that contain sugar and a lot of calories.
As by now you would definitely be sure that sugar is way to toxic for dogs by almost every mean.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Swedish Fish?
It is commonly said that rearing pets is like raising kids. As a dog owner you should be aware and ready to cope up with different situations. It is a common question of what to do if your dog eats Swedish fish?
The answer to this question depends upon different situations like, age, weight and size of dog . The intake quantity of Swedish fish also matters. Since Swedish Fish candy doesn’t contain xylitol.
You shouldn’t be very worried if your dog manages to steal one or two candies. However, you should keep a check on your pup for any signs of digestive issues and call your vet for advice.
If by any chance your dog eats a whole bag of Swedish Fish candy, call your vet right away and observe your pooch for signs of internal blockage and digestive upset.
How Much Swedish Fish Can a Dog Eat?
Ok let’s think for a moment that you are giving Swedish fish to your dog so you must be very curious and the question that will come into your mind would be in what quantity can a dog eat Swedish fish?
Some dogs, depending on their physique, height, weight, will suffer from diarrhea and vomiting after eating a few Swedish Fish candies, while others due to different body types eat an entire bag before experiencing any side effects.
The amount in which dogs can eat Swedish fish varies directly on their size, age, breed, and overall health. I suggest that you should avoid feeding Swedish Fish to your pup and always hide bags of candy out of your dog’s reach.
How Much Is Too Much Swedish Fish For Dogs?
Eating a bit of candy here and there won’t have an instant harmful effect on your pup, but it will lead to weight gain and obesity in the long run. Excess fat has a negative effect on the entire body, and obese dogs are much more likely to suffer from diabetes, heart disease, and joint pain.
Eating a handful of Swedish Fish or more candy can cause a very harmful sugar spike in a small dog such as a Chihuahua, but may not cause any harm to a Great Dane.
Interestingly some people believe myths like Swedish fish are more harmful for small dogs. However, just on the basis that your dog is big it never guarantees that eating candy is healthy, safe or non toxic for them.
How Often To Feed Swedish Fish To Dogs?
As Swedish fish is harmful and not recommended for dogs. So you should be very careful about its intake by your dog. A small amount occasionally is ignorable but it should be avoided frequently.
How To Prevent Dogs From Eating Swedish Fish Excessively?
If you are a candy lover and have a dog, you should be very careful. To ensure the fitness and good health of your dog you should hide your Swedish Fish bags from your dog.
It is better not to make your dog familiar with the taste of Swedish Fish or other candies.
Can Swedish Fish Kill Dogs?
If by chance your dog gets a hold of a little amount of Swedish fish , it generally won’t harm them, but check to make sure the candy doesn’t contain the sugar substitute Xylitol. If it does, get your dog to the vet, as Xylitol is very harmful to dogs.
Excessive amounts of Swedish fish can be fatal for dogs due to a lot of negative effects on different body systems. In case of intake in large quantities you should contact a vet in an emergency.
Alternatives Of Swedish Fish For The Dog
In case you want to add flavour or sugar to your dog,avoid giving your dog candy, there are many other safe fruits, veggies, and human foods you can feed as treats.
When it comes to dogs and Swedish Fish, err on the side of caution and stick to safe dog foods.
Gummy candy, composed primarily of sugar, should not be fed to your dog because granulated sugar and other sugar forms (other than naturally-derived sugars from foods) may, in the long-term, adversely affect your dog’s health.
If your dog has a sweet tooth, you can safely treat them to fruits and vegetables like blueberries, apples, and carrots
Final Verdict – Can Dogs Eat Swedish Fish
Answer to the question Can dogs eat Swedish fish is very simple. Yes they can but it’s not recommended. Swedish fish have a lot of side effects on dogs. While some dogs are born with a sweet tooth, no dog should be allowed to eat sweets or candy.
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While some dogs like the flavor of Swedish Fish, this candy contains sugar which can be very harmful when consumed in a large amount. Swedish fish can have adverse effects on dogs with not even a single benefit apart from having fun while eating and enjoying the taste. So why put our precious and beloved pooches in danger while we have safe alternatives.
Other Dog Food or Nutrition related questions answered in detail
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