Can dogs eat fruit snacks? If yes, how many of them can I give my dog? If you’re looking for answers to either of these questions, then you’ve come to the right place.
This article contains everything you need to know about feeding your dogs fruit snacks.
Can Dogs Have Fruit Snacks?
The quick answer is no, dogs shouldn’t eat fruit snacks. Although fruit snacks are not considered toxic to dogs, they should be avoided because they contain a high amount of sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives which can lead to health problems such as obesity, pancreatitis, diabetes, and more.
If you like fruit snacks, make sure to store them in a safe place away from your curious dog. And if you want to know why fruit snacks are not safe to feed your dogs, then read on.
In this article, we will take a look at everything you need to know about fruit snacks and why you shouldn’t give them to your dogs.
So, before we proceed, let’s take a look at what fruit snacks are.
What Are Exactly Fruit Snacks?
Fruit snacks are sugary confectionery snacks that are sold to parents as children’s snacks in the United States. They look a lot like gummy candies.
The main content of fruit snacks is sugar, especially refined sugar that is usually obtained from concentrated grape juice and apple juice by removing all the water from the original fruit.
Fruit snacks do not contain any nutritional benefits for dogs.
Are Fruit Snacks Bad for Dogs?
The answer is yes. Fruit snacks are not good for dogs. Fruit snacks contain a large amount of sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors that can cause health problems like diabetes, obesity, periodontal disease, pancreatitis, and many more.
The following are the common ingredients in fruit snacks that are not healthy for dogs:
- Fruit concentrates: These are basically juices made by extracting all the water from the fruit. This is pure sugar that is from the fruit.
- Sugar: sugar is not good for dogs, in addition, fruit concentrate such as grape juice is toxic to dogs. Dogs shouldn’t eat grapes in general, as grapes are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure.
- Fruit puree: Fresh fruit puree is okay for dogs, but puree in fruit snacks is usually from concentrated fruit. This is why it lacks dietary fiber, one of the major nutritional benefits of real fresh fruit.
- Modified corn starch: While it is not toxic to dogs, there are no health benefits that dogs can get from this ingredient.
- Corn syrup: This is an artificial sweetener made from fructose and glucose. Despite the fact that it is not toxic to dogs, a large amount of it will make it unhealthy for them.
What Happens if My Dog Eats Fruit Snacks?
The main problem with fruit snacks is that most variations contain grape flavor. Grapes are toxic to dogs, and because many of these snacks are made from real fruit, grape flavor is a potential hazard. Also, some variants contain star fruit, a known poison for dogs.
A bite or two of these fruit snacks isn’t too disturbing for large dogs like the Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds. But it could be fatal for small dogs like Dachshunds and Chihuahuas.
If your furry pal ingests some grape-fruit snacks, watch for signs of toxicity. The most familiar symptoms of dog poisoning are diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and drooling.
If you notice any of these signs or any negative change in your dog’s behavior, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Welch’s Fruit Snacks?
The short answer is NO. Welch’s Fruit Snacks are not healthy for dogs. While Welch’s Fruit Snacks aren’t toxic for dogs, they contain tons of sugar, fat, and concentrated juice. Ingredients that do not contain any nutritional benefit for your pet.
According to Welch’s official website, the major ingredients in this fruit snack are concentrated corn syrup, fruit purees, sugar, gelatin, citric acid, lactic acid, and sodium citrate.
From our analysis of the composition of Welch’s fruit snacks, it is clear that they contain a lot of sweeteners, sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
These are connected to a wide range of health problems in dogs, such as diabetes, obesity, inflammation, and other cardiovascular problems.
Too much sugar can also cause tooth decay and other dental problems in dogs.
Fruit Snack Alternatives for Dogs
While fruit snacks are not harmful to dogs in small amounts, it’s best to avoid giving your dog fruit snacks. There are better alternative dog treats that do not contain sugar or artificial ingredients and are not harmful to your furry pals.
If your dog likes fruit snacks, you can make a suitable alternative with ingredients that are safe for dogs. Or you can feed your dogs portions of real fresh fruit like blueberries.
You have heard of the health benefits of blueberries. Perhaps you have heard that they are good for the brain, heart and can even help with blood sugar.
If you are asking whether they are also good for your furry pals, the answer is yes. Blueberries are not only full of vitamins but are also known for their high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which cause cell damage.
Phytochemicals are compounds found in plants that provide many health benefits, including the potential to fight cancer. Because of their tiny size, blueberries are off-the-shelf treats. All you need to do is to wash them well and feed them orally one after the order or add a few to your dog’s food.
Blueberries can improve night-vision; it helps prevent cell damage and aid mental function in aging dogs. Adding blueberries to your dog’s diet is a great way to help him stay happy and healthy.
Conclusion
As you can see, based on the above information, fruit snacks are not great treats for dogs. They are full of ingredients that are harmful to your dog’s health, such as concentrated grape juice, sugar, fat, citric acid, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
Once again, don’t give any amount of fruit snacks to your dogs. If your dog ingests a piece of fruit snack, don’t worry, it will be fine after a while. He may experience some mild gastrointestinal upset like loose stool or vomiting for a day or two.
That being said, I have to say thank you for reading this far.
I hope you find this article helpful and that it answers your questions on feeding your dog fruit snacks.
I wish you many moments of joy and happiness in the company of your beloved dog.
Until next time!
A big hug.
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