Dog treats are specifically formulated for canine consumption. While it may seem harmless for humans to snack on treats meant for their furry companions, there can be negative consequences from eating dog treats regularly. In this article, we’ll explore what happens when humans eat dog treats, looking at the ingredients, nutritional content, and potential health implications.
Why would a human eat dog treats?
There are a few reasons why a person may eat dog treats:
- Curiosity – Some people may eat a dog treat just to see what it tastes like out of curiosity.
- Availability – Dog treats are easily accessible, so a person may eat some if hungry and no other food is available.
- Taste – Certain dog treats are formulated to be palatable. Some people may eat them because they enjoy the smoky or meaty flavor.
- Confusion – Young children may accidentally eat dog treats, thinking they are snacks made for human consumption.
While these reasons are understandable, regularly eating treats made for dogs can be problematic. Dog food and treats are not formulated with human nutritional needs in mind.
Nutritional content of dog treats
Dog treats are made to provide canines with energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, the sources of nutrients used in dog treats may not align with human nutritional requirements. Here’s an overview of the typical nutritional content of dog treats:
Macronutrients
- Protein – Dog treats contain protein from sources like chicken, beef, liver, eggs, or salmon. While these proteins are safe for canine consumption, some may be higher in cholesterol than recommended for human diets.
- Fat – The fat content comes from ingredients like meat meals, chicken fat, or salmon oil. The fats fed to dogs are not always the same as the recommended fats for humans.
- Carbohydrates – Dog treats get carbohydrates from grains like wheat, corn, barley, oats, rice or tapioca. The glycemic index and fiber content of these carbohydrates may not be optimal for human blood sugar control.
Micronutrients
- Vitamins & minerals – Dog treats are fortified with vitamins and minerals to meet canine needs. However, the types and dosages may not be suitable for human nutritional requirements.
- Additives – Dog treats contain preservatives, emulsifiers, and texturizers to achieve the desired shelf life and texture. Some common food additives like xylitol are safe for dogs but toxic to humans.
So while the macros and micros in dog treats may technically provide calories and nutrients, they are tailored specifically for a dog’s physiology, not a human’s.
Potential health risks of eating dog treats
Consuming dog treats regularly instead of people food can put a person’s health at risk in the following ways:
Nutritional deficiencies
Dog treats are not formulated to meet human nutritional needs for important nutrients like:
- Fiber
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Folate
Deficiencies in these nutrients can cause health issues over time.
Foodborne illness
Some raw dog treats may carry bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria. Handling and eating raw treats increases the risk of foodborne disease.
GI issues
Dog treats are highly processed and may contain ingredients that irritate a human’s digestive tract, causing symptoms like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Bloating
Allergic reactions
Some ingredients in dog treats like wheat, chicken, beef or egg may trigger allergic reactions in people with food allergies. Anaphylaxis is possible in those with severe allergies.
Toxicity
Any treats containing the sweetener xylitol can cause a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage in humans.
Ingredients to avoid
When examining dog treat packaging, these are some ingredients of particular concern for human consumption:
- Xylitol – While fine for dogs, this sugar substitute can cause dangerously low blood sugar and liver damage in people.
- Raw meat – Raw meat increases risks of bacterial contamination. Cooked meat is safer.
- Wheat/gluten – Problematic for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
- Unspecific animal fats – The source and quality of non-specific fat ingredients is unknown.
- Artificial colors – Colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5 have been linked to issues in children like hyperactivity.
- Propylene glycol – This preservative additive can cause irritation.
Checking the ingredients list carefully and avoiding anything potentially harmful is advisable. Moderation is key, even with treats free of the above ingredients.
Healthiest dog treat options
If choosing to indulge in the occasional dog treat, look for options with simpler, more natural ingredients like:
- Lean meats like chicken breast or turkey.
- Whole grains like brown rice, oats, or barley.
- Fruits and vegetables like apples, bananas, carrots.
- Yogurt, cheese or peanut butter.
- Eggs, but cooked to reduce salmonella risk.
Homemade dog treats let you control the quality of ingredients. But even with healthier options, moderation is key when treats made for canine consumption are eaten regularly by humans. Excessive treat consumption could lead to weight gain or nutritional imbalances.
Portion recommendations
To minimize risks from occasional dog treat consumption, follow these portion guidelines:
- Consume no more than 1 or 2 treats at a time.
- Limit treat eating to a maximum of 2-3 times per week.
- Avoid treats with more concerning ingredients like xylitol, raw meat, gluten, or artificial additives.
- Pair treats with food or drink containing fiber, protein, and vitamins to help balance the meal.
Sticking to these portions will help reduce the likelihood of adverse health effects. Moderation and smart ingredient choices are key when dabbling in dog treats.
Effects on children
It’s quite common for young children to try tasting pet food or treats out of curiosity. However, children are at higher risk for issues like:
- Choking on hard treats or bones.
- Nutritional deficiencies as growing bodies have different needs.
- Intestinal illness from bacteria like Salmonella.
- Allergic reactions, especially to common dog treat proteins like beef and chicken.
To protect children’s health, keep pet treats out of reach. Teach them these foods are made specially for the animal’s diet, not human consumption. If a child does ingest treats, monitor them closely for signs of allergic reaction or illness. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop or you have any concerns.
Effects on pregnant women
Pregnant women need to take extra care with their diet to support the developing fetus. Consuming dog treats during pregnancy may increase risks of:
- Foodborne illness from bacteria like Listeria, harmful to unborn babies.
- Allergens triggering reactions which could affect the fetus.
- Nutritional deficiencies, if treats displace prenatal vitamins and nutritious foods.
- Excessive calories, potentially contributing to high birth weight and complications.
To protect their baby’s health, pregnant women should avoid dog treats entirely and focus on foods tailored to human pregnancy needs. If treats are ingested, contact your doctor right away.
Effects on dogs
Though formulated for canines, eating too many treats can negatively impact dogs’ health. Issues seen when overindulging dogs with treats include:
- Obesity from excessive calories.
- Nutritional imbalance if treats displace balanced dog foods.
- Diarrhea or vomiting from rich foods their stomach can’t handle well.
- Dental decay or fractures from hard treats and bones.
- Pancreatitis from high fat treat varieties.
- Allergic reactions in dogs with food sensitivities.
Moderation is vital when feeding treats to pets as well. Follow package guidelines for weight-appropriate serving sizes. Select treats with decent nutritional profiles. Combine with dry or wet dog food for balanced nutrition. Avoid excessive treats to keep both pets and people healthy.
When to seek medical care
In most cases, consuming the occasional dog treat will simply result in minor stomach upset at worst. However, seek prompt medical attention if any concerning symptoms occur after eating dog treats, like:
- Severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain that persists.
- Signs of allergic reaction like wheezing, hives, swelling.
- Very low blood sugar symptoms in people prone to hypoglycemia.
- Muscle weakness, tremors or disorientation.
- Behavioural changes, especially in children.
Let your doctor know the dog treats were consumed, as the ingredients may help identify causes for adverse reactions. Prompt treatment can address more worrisome issues before they become severe.
Conclusion
Dog treats are made for canine consumption, not human nutrition. While an occasional treat may satisfy curiosity or a craving, regularly eating dog treats can negatively impact human health. Potential nutrient deficiencies, allergies, toxicity, and other issues underscore why these products are pet food. Read packages carefully, choose wisely, and enjoy dog treats in extreme moderation to limit risks when temptation strikes. Ultimately, there are healthier snack options that better fit human dietary requirements. Leave the pet treats for the dogs and keep both people and pets happy and healthy.
