Whether you have a child at home or probably you’re still a kid at heart, chances are you’ll have fruit snacks lying around in your home. You might enjoy these delicious snacks with your kids when they come from school.
You might also want to share these treats with your dog, who has been giving you a very convincing and adorable puppy-eye look to get some fruit snacks.
Well, since a dog can eat fruits, you must wonder if it’s safe to give them fruit snacks as well. It could come as a shock, but fruit snacks can be unsafe for your furry friends and can cause serious health issues.
Are you still curious about what makes fruit snacks toxic for dogs? Well, here’s a detailed guide to help you learn all you must know about why feeding fruit snacks to your pet dog is not the best idea.
Are Fruit Snacks Unsafe for Canines?
The short and clear answer to the question is no. Although these snacks aren’t exactly unhealthy or toxic for canines, they should be avoided to ensure a pup’s good health and well-being.
While it is okay for your pet dog to steal a piece or two of a fruit snack, you must ensure it doesn’t consume too much. If you have kids, it’s best to make them understand that they shouldn’t share their fruit snacks with their furry companions.
Keep reading to understand why fruit snacks, which are meant to be healthy snacking options, are unsafe for pups.
Understanding Fruit Snacks: What Makes Them Unhealthy?
Fruit snacks can be a healthier snacking option over chocolate or sugar-laden treats. These chewy snacks come in the gummy form and have fruit as the top ingredient.
These treats consist of various fruits, either in pure form or a juice concentrate, along with other ingredients. People of all ages consume and enjoy these delicious fruity snacks that come in many fun shapes.
Everything sounds good so far, but what makes it harmful for dogs? Well, it’s some of the crucial ingredients that go into making fruit snacks.
1. Fruit Puree
The only healthy ingredient present in fruit snacks is undoubtedly the fruit puree. It is safe for both humans and dogs; however, when mixed with many other toxic ingredients, the fruit puree-laden snacks quickly turn unhealthy for your furry friends.
If your pup enjoys fruit puree and you want to add it to their daily diet, the best way to do that is by giving natural fruit purees made at home. They are not only more natural and healthier for your pet but can also satisfy their fruit craving.
2. Sugar
What makes fruit snacks equally tasty and harmful is this specific ingredient. Yes, you guessed it right, it’s sugar!
One pouch of fruit snacks can contain 11g of sugar, making even a tiny fruit gummy dangerous for your pooch. Although the natural sugar present in fruits is safe for your dogs, the added sugar can cause extreme damage to their health.
If your pup consumes too much sugar, it can impact the digestive system, but how? Excess sugar intake disrupts the balance of gut bacteria, which helps in digesting food properly. It might lead to your pooch vomiting or even cause diarrhea, so you need to keep a close eye.
3. Corn Syrup
The next harmful ingredient on the list is corn syrup. It is simply another form of sugar or artificial sweetener made from glucose or fructose.
Even though corn syrup itself is not toxic for canine consumption, ingesting a large amount of it can cause serious health issues.
4. Artificial Flavors
As the name suggests, artificial flavors are additives manufactured by flavor chemists to mimic the exact taste and aroma of natural ingredients. Although artificial flavors are added to fruit snacks to make them taste, smell, and look delicious, they are unsafe for your dogs.
Some manufacturers make artificial flavors by mixing chemicals that come from ingredients like petroleum. It’s a no-brainer that fruit snacks containing such toxic ingredients should not lie around your pup.
What Will Happen if My Dog Consumes Fruit Snacks?
After reading about the ingredients, it must be clear to you that fruit snacks will jeopardize your pup’s health.
However, if you have a big dog at your place, it’s possible that on a particular occasion, it has eaten a fruit snack or gobbled some more. You’ll be relieved to know that it might not get affected.
But if your dog consumes too many fruit snacks regularly, it could lead to potential healthy issues like:
1. Diabetes
By now, you must have realized that fruit snacks contain a lot of sugar, and it could lead to diabetes. When your pup’s body stops producing enough insulin or the pancreas is producing enough, yet their body stops utilizing it, it could lead to diabetes.
You could notice symptoms such as excessive water intake, increased urination, excessive weight loss, and even cloudy eyes.
2. Dental Problems
The next major issue of feeding fruit snacks to your dog is that it can cause dental problems. Your furry friend is more likely to develop periodontitis, especially if he is suffering from diabetes.
You can look for signs of dental issues like bad breath, loss of teeth, and bleeding of the gums.
3. Obesity
Just like increased sugar intake can lead to weight gain in humans, it can have the same effect in canines as well. If your pup consumes fruit snacks daily, you can see lethargy, tiredness, roundness of the body, excessive panting, and even abdominal sagging.
Can Dogs Eat Fruits?
While canines don’t need to consume fruits to get the required nutrients, you can still offer fresh fruits as a healthy but occasional snack. Here are some fruits that are safe for your pooch:
The fruits you must avoid feeding your pet dog are grapes, avocados, cherries, unripe tomatoes, and wild berries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can My Dog Eat Human Snacks?
No, human snacks contain ingredients that are difficult for a dog to digest. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even severe health issues like pancreatitis.
What Is A Safe Snack For Pups?
Small pieces of meat, chicken, or fresh fruits and vegetables are healthy snacks for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?
Ice cream is not toxic for canines; however, they can find it hard to digest dairy. You must avoid sharing your favorite ice cream with your pup.
Final Thoughts
As a pet parent, it is natural you want to spoil your little furball with snacks and treats. However, it becomes equally essential for you to take care of their health and keep a check on their diet.
While it may sound daunting, you just have to be a little mindful of what’s good for canine health and what’s not. And fruit snacks certainly don’t fall into the healthy category!
With high levels of sugar, corn syrup, and even artificial flavors, fruit snacks can hamper your pup’s overall health and lead to major issues. I’d recommend you keep it away from your four-legged friend and consult a vet if you think your pup has consumed a lot of fruit snacks!
Ankita is a passionate pet lover and head of content at Pet Food Brands. With her extensive knowledge and research, she provides pet owners with top-quality information on dog food and nutrition. Her dedication to improving the lives of dogs makes her a leading voice in the industry.
