It looks like someone was about to enjoy a relaxing spot of people-watching in a coffee shop with a hot drink and a slice of cake. However, their plans were quickly ruined when they made the mistake of leaving the sweet treat unattended with their dog nearby.
A woman named Liz James (@lizjames6128) was passing by when she noticed the large dog indulging in the cake before its owner returned.
Behind the camera, she can be heard laughing and saying she wouldn’t judge the cane corso, as she would have done the same. The relatable TikTok video quickly went viral, amassing 850,000 views in just five days.
The video amused many, but it also highlighted an important issue: sugary treats can be harmful for dogs—especially if the treat contains chocolate.
While many dogs have a sweet tooth, that doesn’t mean human foods packed with sugar are safe for them to consume. The American Kennel Club notes that dogs have fewer taste buds than humans—about 1,700 in the average dog compared to 9,000 in humans.
Yet, they can still identify sweet, sour, salty and bitter flavors, which explains why they often can’t resist temptation.
Newsweek reached out to @lizjames6128 for comment via TikTok.
Expert Advice
Newsweek discussed the clip, captioned “Caught red pawed!” with pet expert Olivia Graham.
She explained: “Most dogs are as keen as children when it comes to sweet stuff. In the wild, dogs would supplement their diets with foraged fruits and berries, which are full of fructose that can give them an additional energy boost when needed. However, you should avoid giving your dog food with refined sugar, like sweets or cakes.”
Graham, the head of operations at Lancaster Puppies, a pet-rehoming platform, elaborated that dogs’ bodies aren’t designed to process sugar like humans can.
“Giving them treats high in sugar can lead to obesity, dental problems, gum disease, canine diabetes or pancreatitis. Some sugary treats intended for humans can also contain ingredients toxic to dogs. We know about sugar, but artificial sweeteners like xylitol can also be very harmful to dogs.
“Any packet of dog treats bought from a shop should theoretically be safe for feeding to your dog, but in order to make them desirable and palatable, many are high in sugar, which can be detrimental to your dog’s health.
“My advice is to actively look for treats with a clear and easy-to-understand ingredient list, and choose treats that are as natural as possible, free from colorings, flavorings, or sugar.”
TikTok Reacts
A stock image of a Staffordshire terrier sneaking dough off a kitchen worktop.
Aleksandr Zotov/iStock/Getty Images Plus
So far, the post has garnered over 68,000 likes and a mix of comments from amused and concerned users.
One user commented: “He presumed the drink was for dad and the cake was for him; why else would it be on a dog-sized table?” Another praised: “He was so dainty while he ate too. Mine would have knocked the table flying in excitement.”
However, a third commenter warned, “Noo. That’s super toxic for dogs. They can easily die from such a big piece.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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