Sweets That Dogs Can Eat

Resisting the urge to give sweet human foods to dogs can be difficult, but most processed sweet foods are harmful to dogs since their bodies do not process sugars as easily as ours do. Certain foods, including chocolate, raisins and grapes, are toxic to dogs and should be completely avoided--although their particular toxicity is not due to sugar. There are, however, other naturally sweet foods you can safely feed to dogs as treats or add to their daily diet.

  1. Sweet Root Vegetables

    • These vegetables include parsnip, rutabaga, sweet potato, carrot and, to a lesser extent, pumpkin or squash. These root vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and contain natural sugars that dogs can easily absorb. They are often added to commercial dog foods or can be bought fresh, chopped into strips or slices and dried in a food dehydrator or in the oven. If using an oven, dry at the lowest setting for up to 12 hours, depending on the thickness of the slices, until completely dried. You can give these homemade treats in moderation as with other dog treats; they are a healthier substitute for most commercial dog treats that are often loaded with additives and preservatives. Alternatively, you can cook root vegetables and add them to your dog's daily food, or feed them to dogs raw. Some dogs are especially fond of raw carrots.

    Fresh and Dried Fruits

    • Fruits are an important addition to a dog's diet, containing many vitamins, minerals and natural sucrose that dogs can absorb. Feed your dog fruits as treats either raw or dried. Apples, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are common favorites. Bananas can also be given and are one of the sweetest fruits available. Try chopping dried figs and adding them to your dog's food or give them as treats, but ensure they do not contain any added sugar or preservatives. Dried fruits contain more concentrated sugars than fresh fruit, so give them only in moderation. To dry fruits at home, cut them up and place them in a food dehydrator, following the instructions that came with the dehydrator, or slowly bake them in the oven until dried. Raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs; always avoid them. Dried fruits can go rancid and so should be made in smaller batches that you can use up in a few weeks or keep in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life.

    Pure Honey

    • Honey is a naturally sweet food you can add to a dog's diet in moderation. Use a teaspoonful or less of natural honey in your dog's daily food, or add it as a safe sweetener to homemade treat recipes such as dog cookies. The honey must be pure and contain no extra sugar or additives. Most dogs will enjoy the smell and taste of nutrient-rich honey.

    Nuts and Seeds

    • Nuts and seeds do contain natural sugars but are not as sweet as fruit or sweet root vegetables. They are also loaded with vitamins and minerals and are easy treats to feed to dogs. Almonds, peanuts (including salt-free peanut butter), sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and pine nuts are all favorites. Nuts should be fed in moderation, as they can be fattening. Avoid macadamia nuts, which are toxic to dogs.