Whether it’s Halloween, Easter Sunday, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day, peeps are among the most popular holiday candies all year round.
After all, even though they don’t offer many nutritional values, they are pleasing to look at, and some peeps can taste delicious!
But, can you give some of this colorful treat to your dog?
Well, offering your furry friend the occasional peeps should be fine. However, feeding your pup this marshmallow more often and in large quantities can cause severe health issues.
So, in this post, we’ll take an in-depth look to figure out if your dog can eat peeps.
What are Peeps?
Peeps are a Marshmallow-based treat that takes the shape of a chick, bunny, or other Easter-themed animals. Rodda Candy Company first introduced them in 1953.
Soon, it became popular in the United States and Canada. Afterward, it spread out with time, and nowadays, peeps are a standard candy for holiday events throughout the globe.
Usually, these candies contain,
- Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Gelatin
- Preservatives
- Natural flavors
- Wax
Most peeps have a grape, strawberry, vanilla, or cotton candy flavor. Thus, skilled cooks often mix these candies to their dishes to enhance the taste.
Also, their colorful appearance makes peeps the ideal treat for decorating tables and gift baskets.
If you wish to learn more about what to feed and what not to feed to your dog, check out “Can Dogs Eat Nutter Butter? “
Can Your Dog Eat Peeps?
The typical peeps are non-toxic for your dog, but they don’t offer much nutritional value and are rich in sugar. Thus, your dog can eat the occasional peeps. Still, it’s best not to give them these candies at all.
After all, some peeps may include artificial sweeteners like Xylitol.
Unfortunately, this additive is extremely toxic to your four-legged friend. It can cause your pup to suffer from low blood sugar levels. In extreme cases, it can lead to seizures and even death!
Also, even the natural marshmallow with normal confectionary sugar is not ideal for the diet of your canine buddy.
So, in essence, feeding peeps to your dog can cause,
- A lack of apatite
- Stomach upset
- Allergy
- Food poisoning
- Pancreatitis
Therefore, even if you wish to offer some peeps to your pet, make sure to give them only a tiny amount to be safe.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Peeps?
Most dog breeds sport an energetic, curious nature. So, it might be possible that your furry friend gets a few too many bites of peeps on their own.
If this happens, they will start showing signs of disorientation. They may start vomiting or even have seizures.
When you notice any of these signs, you may want to check what type of peeps they have eaten.
If the marshmallows have natural sugar, you can give your pet some clean water and bland food for a while, and they should be fine. But, it may cause severe health issues if your dog has any food allergy.
So, to be on the safe side, you should contact the vet and get advice. In most cases, they may suggest Pepcid ac or Prilosec depending on the health condition and the pet’s body weight.
On the other hand, if the peeps have artificial sweeteners, you may want to bring your buddy to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you can’t get to the vet, contact the nearest animal shelter. They often have experienced personnel who can assist you in stabilizing your pet’s situation.
Can Puppies Eat Peeps?
Unlike full-grown adult dogs, puppies don’t have much tolerance for sugar or additives. As a result, food containing such ingredients can quickly become lethal for the puppies.
Therefore, puppies should not eat peeps.
Also, if you want to give any new food to the puppies, you should introduce it to them gently. This way, they will have time to adapt, and you’ll get to see if they are sensitive to the food ingredients.
Bottom Line
Food tastes better when we get to share some of it with our favorite canine buddies. But, giving your pup the wrong type of food can quickly ruin the holiday for them, and you’ll have to worry about the aftereffects too. Since peeps are not all that healthy for your dog, and they may contain additives and sweeteners that are toxic for your furry buddy, it’s better to give your pal some other, more suitable dog treats.