Can Dogs Eat Reese’s Pieces?

The purpose of this research is to explain “Can Dogs Eat Reese’s Pieces?“.

Its colorful it makes an intriguing crunchy sound and it seems impossible to stop eating them – no doubt your dog will come begging for some Reeses pieces too. 

Whats the point of missing all the fun? Can dogs get sick from eating Reeses Pieces? Yes depending on how frequently and how many he consumes.

 A few pieces of candy would not hurt your dog but you should not make it a habit of sharing your bag with your pet since they’ll cause serious problems in the long run. 

We’ll take a look at the dangers lurking in those sweet treats and other Reese products in this article.

What are the ingredients in Reese’s pieces?

Peanut butter bites in a crunchy shell are what Reeses pieces are marketed as. When pet parents inquire about this product they ask if it contains any chocolate. Thankfully it does not contain any chocolate. 

The Reese pieces do not contain chocolate. They are filled with sugar and fat both of which can be dangerous for dogs when consumed in large quantities.

There are 4 calories in a piece of candy with 0.41g of sugar 0.18g of fat and 0.18g of fat. In other words its not dangerous for any dog no matter how big. The problem with these treats is that there is never a limit to how many you can eat.

 Lets take a look at Reeses pieces’ main ingredients.

Sugar

We will examine the sugar content in one regular serving defined by the manufacturer Hersheys as 38 pieces.

There are approximately 150 calories in one serving (for human consumption). The sugar content is also high at 31% RDV.

Palm Kernel Oil / Soybean Oil

There are two types of oils used in Reeses pieces: palm kernel oil and soybean oil. While palm kernel oil is said to be rich in antioxidants it also contains saturated fats.

A serving of regular pizza has 6g of saturated fat or 30% of the recommended daily value (RDV) for the average person. That represents about 100% of the daily fat intake for a small to the midsize dog.

Peanuts

The candies are made with partially defatted peanuts according to the label. Dogs benefit from peanuts since they are a good source of protein and antioxidants. Your dog should not have any problems with them unless of course he has a peanut allergy.

Corn syrup

The fact that it is a cheap sweetener makes it quite popular in the food industry. These candies are most likely made with High Fructose Corn Syrup one of the worst types of sugar.

What are the dangers of dogs eating too much sugar?

Sugary treats of any kind are not recommended for dogs. This includes candy and ice cream. In their diet they get the sugar they require for energy from carbohydrates.

The effects of excessive sugar consumption include:

Obesity

There are few foods that are as calorific as sugar. Sugar provides 387 calories per 100 grams. Especially for pets prone to obesity and who do not get enough exercise thats bad news.

Cavities

Sugar in candies is used by bacteria in a dogs mouth to create acids which erode the teeth’ enamel resulting in cavities.

Upset stomach

Dogs with too many sweets usually experience diarrhea as a side effect. There is also a possibility of vomiting.

Diabetes

Too much sugar in a dogs diet can lead to metabolic changes over time. Sugar induces the body to produce too much insulin which may result in a dog developing Type 2 diabetes.

What are the dangers of dogs eating too much fat?

The dogs diet should contain 10 – 15% fat. Excessive fats can have serious consequences however.

Pancreatitis

The condition is caused by a rapid intake of fat and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Inflammation of the pancreas is caused by excess fat and the main symptoms are vomiting fever abdominal pain and lethargy. When you suspect pancreatitis in your dog you should take him to the vet immediately.

Heart disease

Various heart problems such as heart failure can be caused by a diet high in fats such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Can a dog eat Reese’s peanut butter cups?

Hersheys best-selling products include Reeses peanut butter cups. There are basically the same ingredients as the colored pieces with one very important addition chocolate so your dog should not eat any peanut butter cups.

The least poisonous type of chocolate for dogs is milk chocolate but it is still dangerous. When a dog consumes more than 0.5 ounces of milk chocolate per pound of body weight hes at risk of getting chocolate poisoning which can be fatal.

For example a medium-sized dog can eat a 1.4 oz bar of milk chocolate without harm but if he eats three bars you should call the vet.

There is only a tiny bit of chocolate in a small serving of Reeses peanut butter cups so your dog would not be affected.

The only drawback is that small dogs will devour your entire stash of peanut butter cups.

To be on the safe side here are the most common symptoms of chocolate poisoning.

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Rapid breathing
• Restlessness
• Increased heart rate
• Seizures

Can a dog eat Reese’s puffs?

Peanut butter and rice puffs covered in milk chocolate make up Reeses crunchers. A serving of 1.8 ounces contains 260 calories which is quite a lot for a dog.

It has some good ingredients that provide small amounts of iron calcium and vitamin D but they simply are not worth it since there are 22g of sugars and 7g of saturated fat per serving.

Also theres the chocolate issue but one serving will not poison a dog. Instead you should be concerned about the amount of fat and sugar.

What happens if a dog eats Reese’s pieces?

Whenever a dog gets his paws on some tasty Reeses peanut butter cups he would not bother taking the wrappers off and most pet owners are horrified when they realize this. Can a dog be harmed by a wrapper? Most likely not.

If a paper-based wrapper is eaten by a dog it will be partially dissolved by the acid in its stomach and will not cause any problems.

Paper wrappers could be dangerous if they get stuck in a dogs throat. This issue is especially problematic for small breeds but chances are your dog will not have a problem swallowing the peanut butter cup with or without a wrapper.

Wrappers made of aluminum such as those found in chocolate bars are far more dangerous. Balled-up wrappers can cause intestinal blockages because they cannot be digested by dogs’ stomachs.

If a dog ate the bag in which Reeses pieces or puffs come the same thing could happen.

In the event your dog ingested the bag you should keep him under observation to see if he exhibits any signs of intestinal obstruction such as:

•  Diarrhea and vomiting
• Low appetite
• Tenderness in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Straining to poop
• Lethargy

If the wrapper is balled up it may cause internal damage. You should give your dog a slice of bread to cushion the edges so this does not happen. If the dog seems constipated try adding some pumpkin to his regular diet to help things move.

In any case if your dog appears ill you should ignore home remedies and consult the vet right away. Obstruction of the digestive system can be quite serious and the dog may need surgery in some cases.

Is peanut butter safe for dogs?

The only problem with peanut butter for dogs is that it contains xylitol. Many popular brands contain it and thats a problem.

Xylitol is a very popular sweetener because it is marketed as being less harmful to teeth than sugar. Furthermore it is safe for people with diabetes. Dogs cannot consume it however. It is actually more dangerous than chocolate. Xylitol for example causes a rapid drop in a dogs blood sugar as little as 1.37g a condition known as hypoglycemia. In dogs weighing 30 pounds this can lead to disorientation and seizures.

Xylitol is not listed as an ingredient in Reeses products and why would they need yet another sweetener since they already have so much sugar?

Peanut butter can cause an allergic reaction in dogs in rare cases. Dogs with various food allergies account for about 10% of the pet population.

Wheat eggs and various meat or fish types are the most common allergens for dogs. Reeses pieces for example contain soy which may be problematic for some dogs.

During an allergic reaction a dog might scratch himself furiously lick his paws or have gastrointestinal problems like chronic diarrhea or gas.

Conclusion

Even if the dog steals a few pieces of your favorite Reeses he will not have any problem. Likewise he will be fine if he eats some puffs or peanut butter cups. Despite this you should not share your treats with him because he will learn to appreciate the taste and will start begging or stealing to get more. Sweets are addictive after all.

As these products contain a lot of sugar and fat they can pose serious health risks when consumed regularly.

So your dog will have something healthy to munch on while you eat your Reeses pieces give him a few bananas or apple slices instead.

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

Can Dogs Eat Reese’s Pieces? (Watch Video)