Can Dogs Taste Sugar?

We already know they’re sweet.

May 20, 2024

In This Article:

Do Dogs Have Taste Buds? Do Dogs Like Sweets? Should Dogs Eat Sweets? Sweets Dogs Can Eat Sweets Dogs Can’t Eat

Have you ever wondered if your pup can taste that sweet treat you’re offering? The topic of dogs and sugar sensitivity is a fascinating one that delves into the complexities of canine taste buds and their responses to different flavors. And while the short answer is that dogs can and do appreciate the taste of something sweet, it’s important to also ask yourself whether you should share that sweet treat with your pup. Read on to learn all about dogs and sweets.

6 Dog-Friendly Ice Cream Options Your Pup Can Lick Up This Summer

Van Leeuwen just announced a new dog-friendly ice cream—and it’s not the only option for a pup with a sweet tooth.

Can dogs taste sugar?

As you likely have experienced for yourself, taste is a complex experience. It is not only influenced by the literal flavor of something on your tongue, but it’s also intertwined with the smell, texture, and core memories attached to different foods. This is the case for dogs, too. And while they do have the ability to taste sugar, their experience is also affected by all of those other factors that influence whether they will enjoy eating certain foods.

Add to the mix the fact that dogs have unique nutritional requirements that they need met through a balanced dog food diet, as well as a number of human foods that are actually toxic for dogs. So, you’ll really want to put some thought into what foods you choose to share with your pup.

Do dogs have taste buds?

Yes, dogs do have taste buds, and just like humans, they have taste receptors that can sense the five major flavor categories: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami. There is a theory that this is not just a coincidence, but is a result of dogs’ long history of domestication. Over thousands of years of eating most of the same foods as humans, dogs have evolved a similar sense of taste.

However, a dog’s sense of taste is not as sensitive as ours. On average, dogs have about 1,700 taste receptors whereas humans average closer to 9000, making our sense of taste about five times stronger. Of course, dogs have us beat when it comes to their sense of smell, which may be as much as a million times stronger than ours.

Woman feeding her small white dog a pear.

Can Dogs Eat Pears?

It can be a fruit with an acquired taste, but can your pup... acquire it?

Do dogs have the same taste buds as humans?

Dogs and humans have very similar taste buds as far as what flavors they sense and their general anatomy. Taste buds are clusters of nerve cells that are arranged onto papilla on the surface of the tongue and other parts of the mouth. These cells detect flavor and transmit impulses to the brain via specific nerve pathways. Dogs have fewer taste buds compared to humans so their overall sense of taste is not as strong.

They may not taste certain subtle flavors that we can appreciate. Also, they have an instinctive aversion to certain flavors that are often associated with danger in nature. For example, bitter and sour flavors are often associated with poisonous plants and rancid foods. Dogs and many other animals have evolved an aversion to these flavors as a way to protect themselves from eating something dangerous.

So, while many humans have learned to love sour flavors like citrus, and bitter flavors like coffee, your dog most likely wants no part of eating anything sour or bitter even though they can taste them just fine.

A happy couple feeding their dog ice cream outside of Ollie's ice cream shop.

Finally, An Ice Cream Parlor for Your Pup

Ollie’s Ice Cream + Stuff serves up artisanal fro yo for pets and pet parents.

Do dogs like sweets?

Whether or not dogs like sweets is somewhat specific to their individual preferences as well as other elements of each particular food. Remember that taste and the enjoyment of eating comes from more than just the simple flavor of the food, but are also affected by texture, smell, positive memories, and more.

Some sweet foods may appeal to dogs more than others depending on these other factors. Also, studies have documented that many dogs have a preference for meaty flavors as well as textures that are warm and moist. This may be influenced by their wild ancestors’ diet and what kinds of foods they were likely to be eating. As a result, many dogs may be less interested in sweet foods and more interested in savory meat-based foods.

Do dogs like the taste of chocolate?

Because we know dogs can taste sweet foods, you may be wondering if dogs like the taste of dessert foods, like chocolate. Unfortunately, this is a food that we cannot share with our pups because it is toxic to them. And while they may like the initial taste of certain chocolate foods, they can get very sick from eating them.

If they do get sick from accidentally eating chocolate, this may also create a food aversion in the future, leading them to avoid foods that taste and smell similarly. These kinds of food aversions are a protective instinct that help animals avoid eating things that made them sick previously.

Feeding raw salmon or sashimi to young French bulldog

10 Healthy “People” Foods for Dogs

You might be surprised that these common health foods are totally safe for pups.

Should dogs eat sweets?

It’s also important to consider whether or not dogs should eat sweets. Of course, there are those sweet foods that are toxic or unhealthy for dogs like chocolate, xylitol, high fat foods, or dairy-based foods, and it is an easy decision to keep those out of reach. When it comes to other sweet foods, it depends on the ingredients, the quantity, and the health of your pup as to whether or not they are OK to share.

Foods that are lower in sugar, like certain fruits, may be a good choice for something sweet that is also fairly healthy for your dog. However, dogs who have certain medical conditions, like diabetes, or are already struggling with obesity-related ailments really should not have a lot of sweet foods or treats in their diet. Even for dogs without medical problems, treats and table foods should be kept to a minimum to ensure they are not overeating, and to encourage them to get most of their daily calories from a balanced dog food that will satisfy their nutritional needs.

Woman sharing ice cream with her pet dog.

Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?

Summer is here, after all.

Sweets dogs can eat

If you are looking for some sweet treat options to share with your pup, try to stick with whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and safe nuts that will contain less sugar compared to processed foods and desserts that may contain more sugar, fat, or other unsafe ingredients. Some options to try include:

Berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries that are lower in sugar than many other fruits and also contain healthy nutrients.
Fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, and banana are also OK in moderation.
Sweet vegetables like sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and carrots can also be healthy choices.
Nut-based sweets like peanut butter can also be a good choice as long as they do not contain xylitol and your dog can tolerate higher-fat snacks.

View over the shoulder of a women eating peanut butter and bananas and feeding some of the peanut butter to her dog on a spoon

Peanut Butter Is the Best Snack. Can Your Dog Have It?

Elvis famously loved peanut butter. So, can your “Hound dog” lap it up, too?

Sweets dogs can’t eat

There are many sweets that are not good choices for dogs, whether they contain true toxins, or are just unhealthy. It is best to avoid sharing prepared desserts with your pup if you are not sure of all of the ingredients. In general, be sure to avoid foods with known toxins, high fat content, lots of dairy, or a high sugar content. This includes:

Toxic foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts should be kept far out of reach.
High fat desserts like ice cream, cakes, and buttery pastries can put dogs at risk for digestive upset, more serious pancreatitis, or weight gain.
Dairy-based desserts like cheesecake, ice cream, and custards can lead to digestive upset for dogs including vomiting and diarrhea.

Frozen dog treats in the shape of bones and paws.

A Tasty Frozen Yogurt Treat to Keep Your Dog Cool

Made with yogurt, peanut butter, honey, and banana, they're sure to make your dog drool.

FAQs (People also ask):

What are some sweets I can make for my dog?

Recipes for sweet treats for dogs should have limited added sugar and contain only safe ingredients for dogs, such as this cool yogurt-based treat.

What are some human foods I can feed my dog?

There are many safe human foods you can share with your pup. Always double-check that the food you plan to share is safe and nontoxic for dogs.

What can I add to my dog’s meal to make it more tasty?

Since dogs tend to prefer meaty, moist flavors, many food toppers for dogs focus on these flavors. Keep in mind that food toppers add calories to the meal so be sure to adjust their total intake for the day to avoid overfeeding.

References:

Dr. Amy Fox, DVM

Amy Fox, DVM is a small animal veterinarian in New York City. A lifelong animal lover, Dr. Fox studied biology in college and then worked as a veterinary nurse before pursuing veterinary school at Cornell University. She has worked in many different settings including shelter medicine, emergency medicine, general practice, and animal cruelty and forensics. She is especially interested in nutrition, preventative medicine and care for senior pets. Dr. Fox also enjoys writing about veterinary medicine and teaching. In her free time she loves to cook, garden, and go for long runs.

Can Dogs Taste Sugar?

share article

6 Dog-Friendly Ice Cream Options Your Pup Can Lick Up This Summer

Can dogs taste sugar?