Can Dogs Eat Skittles? Here’s What Experts Want You To Know
Skittles are a favorite candy in most households during trick-and-treating and year-round. They come in a colorful variety of flavors to satisfy all kinds of cravings. You can munch on wild berry, fruity, or extra sour skittles and awaken your childhood memories.
As pet parents, we want our pups to enjoy life and won’t shy off from giving them a tasty treat from time to time. If you’re thinking of sharing a few skittles with your furry companion, you might wonder if the tasty treat is safe for your dog. Are there any harmful effects to be wary of? How many skittles can you safely feed your dog?
Read on to find out everything you need to know about feeding your dog skittles.
Are Skittles Good For Dogs?
Skittles are one of the most consumed treats globally and have enjoyed a colorful history as a go-to snack for most individuals. But can dogs eat skittles without experiencing harmful effects? Yes, you can feed your furry friend up to 10 mg of the bite-sized candy with no consequences.
The colorful, fruit-flavored candy has some harmful ingredients to your pup’s health when present at high levels. They include:
Sugar: Skittles have a high sugar content which can cause a stomach upset, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Another downside of feeding your pup excess sugar? Dental cavities. You’ll need to schedule regular checkups and professional cleanings to ensure your dog has good dental health.
Empty calories: These lead to weight gain, which can cause obesity, diabetes, heart disease, lethargy, joint problems, and breathing difficulty.
Hydrogenated oil: You’ll find hydrogenated oil in plenty of processed foods. This preservative is unsafe for you and your dog and can cause inflammation, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Another concern when your dog eats skittles unsupervised is the risk of ingesting the plastic wrapper. It can cause blockage in your puppy’s throat and intestines resulting in a life-threatening condition that might need surgery.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Food Coloring?
Can My Dog Eat Sour Skittles?
We don’t recommend feeding your dog sour skittles. Even though the chewy and flavorful candy is deliciously sour, the ingredients are no different from the original version; the only difference is the flavor.
Sour skittles are safe for your pup to eat in small amounts, but you shouldn’t purposefully give them. They offer no nutritional benefit and can cause allergic reactions or harmful effects when ingested in excess.
How Many Skittles Can I Feed My Dog?
No amount of skittles is suitable for your dog. However, the recommended daily intake for snacks and treats is 10 grams. But we cannot use this quantity as the safety threshold for feeding your dog skittles.
If you feed a puppy from a small breed a few skittles, they might fall sick. But big breed dogs can gobble a handful of pieces without showing any adverse effects. Also, some breeds are more sensitive to sugary snacks, so you’ll want to consult your vet before rewarding your pup with a skittles treat.
What Happens If My Dog Eats Skittles?
Skittles have high sugar content. There isn’t much in skittles other than sugar, and canines aren’t built to digest high amounts of sugar. So, it’s best to feed your pup skittles in moderation.
Negative effects to look out for include:
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Too Much Skittles
A few bites of skittles will not harm your dog as long as it’s healthy. But you’ll need to call your vet if they ate a bunch and are diabetic. Otherwise, you can give them plenty of water and observe them for the next 24 hours. If your pup’s behavior worries you, you can call your vet or take them to the animal clinic.
If your pooch is choking and you can’t find the skittles wrapper, gently put your hand inside their mouth to see if you can pull out the wrapper. If you can’t, and your pup is coughing, experiencing difficulty breathing, pawing at its head or mouth, or being unresponsive, rush them to the vet.
However, you can attempt to give them first aid at home. If it’s a small puppy, pick it up from its hind legs, but there’s no need to lift it if it’s a larger and heavier Fido. Proceed with the Heimlich maneuver. You position your hands across your pup’s stomach slightly below its ribs and give five thrusts. Then put your hand inside its mouth and remove any objects. Once your furry companion seems out of danger, do take it to the vet clinic immediately.
Alternative Safe & Nutritious Treats For Dogs
There are numerous healthy treats you can feed your dog other than skittles. Several dogs treat brands are available in various ingredients, flavors, and colors. If you’re thinking of rewarding your dog with a healthy, delicious snack, you can give them:
- Berries
- Apples
- Cooked sweet potato
- Watermelon
- Organic peanut butter
- Carrots
- Bananas
- Cucumbers
Remember to introduce your dog to new foods by giving small portions. Since they are foreign to your pup’s taste buds, they might need time to get accustomed to the unique tastes.
Final Words: Should Dogs Eat Skittles?
Are skittles suitable for dogs? A few pieces won’t cause any harm to your pup, but it’s best to avoid feeding your pooch skittles or any other candy. Also, keep the total intake to no more than ten pieces daily.
Skittles contain high sugar and fat content, and when your dog ingests too much, they can have many health problems, including gastrointestinal upset, diabetes, and dental cavities.
Furthermore, skittles are a no-no if your dog is obese, diabetic, or has dental issues. You don’t want to worsen their health further.
Further Reading:
- Can Dogs Eat Reese’s Pieces?
- Can Dogs Eat Swedish Fish?
- Can Dogs Eat Sour Patch Kids? Here’s What You Need to Know
- Can Dogs Eat Cotton Candy?
- Can Dogs Eat Marshmallows? Are They Suitable for Dogs?
- Can Dogs Eat Jelly Beans?
- Can Dogs Eat Candy Canes?