Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of these sugary treats. Gummy worms: safe for dogs? Read on to find out just how perilous they are.
You might automatically think that dogs shouldn’t ever be given human candy. In that case, you’d be correct. However, have you ever considered the types that exist? Read on to find out why it’s best to keep your dog away from gummy worms and other candies and what to do if he or she gets into some.
Can Dogs Eat Gummy Worms
Although they’re shaped differently, gummy worms are also unsafe for dogs to consume. Here’s a little more data on the various gummy worm varieties.
Why?
As a treat, gummy worms are unhealthy due to their high sugar and fat content. Overindulging in gummy worms can cause a number of negative health effects in canines, including gastrointestinal distress, weight gain, and even diabetes. Some of them have xylitol and other artificial ingredients that are toxic to dogs in large doses.
What to do if your dog eats gummy worms, potential side effects, and how to make a safer alternative treatment are all covered in this article.
What are the Risks of Gummy Worms for Dogs?
One or two gummy worms might not be too harmful if your dog eats them. However, puppies, small dogs, and dogs of any breed can develop symptoms of gastroenteritis if they eat too much.
If you are worried about your dog’s health, please contact your veterinarian immediately. The potential side effects of feeding a dog gummy worms are listed below.
Gastroenteritis
Smaller dogs and puppies in particular are more susceptible to digestive distress if they consume large quantities of gummy worms. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are all signs of gastroenteritis.
Although these signs typically subside on their own, we still advise seeing a vet, especially if your dog is particularly young or small. Smaller dogs are at a higher risk of dehydration and hyperglycemia.
Potential Intestinal Obstruction
If your dog ate the gummy worms and the packaging, he could get a blockage in his digestive tract.
Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and inability to defecate are all symptoms of intestinal obstruction. They may have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and an inability to hold down food or liquids.
In the event that you observe any of these symptoms, it is imperative that you contact your veterinarian immediately as this is an emergency situation.
Low Blood Sugar and Liver Damage
The presence of xylitol, which is harmless to humans but toxic to dogs, is one of the reasons why you should keep your dog away from gummy worms and other candies. When ingested by a dog, even a small amount of this substance can be fatal.
Extremely low levels of blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can occur when ingesting large amounts of xylitol.
Weakness, vomiting, and trembling are early symptoms of hypoglycemia, which can progress to seizures and ultimately death. Within 30-60 minutes of ingestion, xylitol can cause hypoglycemia in a dog, which can last for more than 12 hours and be fatal without treatment.
When a dog consumes xylitol, it can cause a severe and rapid condition known as hepatic necrosis, which can ultimately result in acute liver failure. After being exposed, it may take up to 24 hours for symptoms of liver damage to appear.
When the liver stops making enough of the blood-clotting proteins needed (coagulopathy), internal bleeding can occur on its own. Dogs with hepatic necrosis have a much more gloomy prognosis and need intensive medical care.
When dealing with xylitol toxicity in dogs, time is of the essence.
Marijuana or THC Toxicity
Sedation, lethargy, dilated pupils, wobbling, vomiting, and dizziness are all possible side effects of too much marijuana for a dog. In severe cases, the individual may also experience seizures, tremors, agitation, vocalization, and urinary incontinence.
Toxicity from marijuana can present itself anywhere from 5 minutes to 12 hours later.
Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your pet has been exposed to marijuana; he will likely require medical attention.
My Dog Ate Gummy Worms – What Do I Do
The first order of business is to get your hands on the bag and check out the gummy worms’ ingredient list. You should also make an educated guess as to how many your dog might have eaten.
Contact your vet immediately if the gummy worms contain xylitol. Keep an eye out for extreme symptoms of distress such as drowsiness, a racing heart, and stomach problems.
Can Dogs Eat Sour Gummy Worms
Despite the fact that your dog may not share your appreciation for the flavor of sour gummy worms, this is not a good reason to keep them out of reach. They’re bad for your pet because they contain an excessive amount of sugar and processed ingredients.
Can Dogs Eat Trolli Gummy Worms
Even if your dog enjoys chewing on gummy worms like Trolli, they shouldn’t eat them. Both sugar and corn starch are used as the primary sweeteners in them. A dog that consumes these treats is at a higher risk of putting on weight and developing diabetes.
Alternatives Dog-friendly Gummy Treat for Your Dog
If you’re worried about your dog’s health but he still likes the texture of gummy worms, you can give him a dog-friendly alternative.
As a starting point, you can use half a cup of bone broth that is safe for canines.
Additionally, there are:
- One-third of a beet,
- packet of plain gelatin,
- also, some parsley.
One hundred gummy worms can be made from the ingredients you have.
The formula is as follows:
- Add a couple of teaspoons of water to the beet and parsley mixture and stir to combine.
- Separate the puree’s liquid from the solids.
- For best results, let the gelatine and vegetable juice sit together for five minutes.
- Stir the gelatine into the simmering broth until it dissolves.
- Scoop the mixture into the worm molds.
- Set in the fridge for a few hours, or until set.
You can now keep these treats in the fridge for up to ten days without worrying about them going bad.
Final Thoughts
A dog should not eat gummy worms. As an example, xylitol is a toxic ingredient that could cause health issues in pets.
Dog-safe treats can aid in weight management and disease prevention, making them a great option if you’re looking to treat your pet well.
Always make your dog earn his food rewards. Pets’ minds need to be challenged in order to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive. Do some training with your dog, or at least teach him a new trick.