No, dogs cannot eat fruit snacks as they contain sugar, fruit juice, artificial flavors, preservatives, and harmful chemicals. These are not only harmful to dogs but can also be life-threatening. If they consume fruit snacks, the primary symptoms are – obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and inflammation.
Table of Contents
What are Fruit Snacks?
Fruit snacks are gummy candies for children in the U.S. The history dates back to the 1970s when Louis Shalhoub first developed it. He named it Joray Fruit Rolls. In 1983, Geremy Mills first used it.
Is Fruit Snack Safe for Dogs?
Fruit snacks are toxic for dogs, as it is made with concentrated grape juice, which is refined sugar. Grapes themselves are harmful to a dog. The sugar content will lead your dog to obesity which will trigger diabetes. It would also cause cardiovascular disorders, affecting the overall health significantly. Your dog also may suffer from hormonal imbalances and dental issues.
Why is Fruit Snack Bad for Dogs?
To understand why fruit snacks are bad for a dog, let us check the ingredients used to make these gummy candies:
Fruit Concentrates: This is the juice made by extracting water from the fruit. This juice is mainly sugar content from the fruit.
Sugar: Sugar is toxic for dogs as it leads to kidney failures, obesity, and diabetes. It has a high number of calories, which is strictly prohibited for dogs to eat. The digestion procedure is disturbed if dogs consume sugar. Excessive consumption of sugar leads to depression in dogs.
Fruit Puree: Fruit puree is not toxic for dogs, but it is safe to avoid altogether. Fruit puree in fruit snacks is none other than the fruit concentrates, which lacks dietary fibers.
Corn Starch: Corn starch has no health benefit for dogs. Hence, it is best to keep away from dogs.
Corn Syrup and Xylitol: Both are artificial sweeteners that a dog must not consume.
Gelatin: Gelatin alone is safe for dogs, but it is not safe to consume when added with multiple toxic elements.
Citric Acid: Citric acid affects the central nervous system of the dog. It is best not to feed citric acid in any mode to your dog.
Artificial flavors: Artificial flavors are not natural flavors. These flavors are made to imitate the original taste. These are made with flavor chemists, and instances say petroleum too is added with the flavors, which are poisonous for dogs.
Sodium Citrate: This is added to a few canine medicines. However, when it is added with harmful elements like blue 1, red 40, corn syrup, xylitol, citric acid etc. It is best not to consume it by the dogs.
Carnauba Wax: Carnauba wax is not toxic for dogs, but it can be challenging for the dogs when added along with harmful elements like red 40, blue 1, corn syrup etc.
Annatto and Turmeric: Both annatto and turmeric are color dyes. Dogs are strictly prohibited from consuming color dye, as they can cause seizures in dogs.
Red 40: This ingredient is dangerous for dogs to consume. It is made with petroleum and bugs, which causes cancer in dogs. Red 40 is a synthetic dye, which is another thumb rule that your dog should not feed on them.
Blue 1: Blue 1 is an artificial dye made from coal tar. It can cause cancer and has no nutritional value.
How Much Fruit Snacks to Feed Your Dog?
It is alarming to feed your dog with fruit snacks even on occasions. The risks it poses can be life-threatening.
What If My Dog Ate Fruit Snack?
If your dog has eaten many fruit snacks, it is best to visit the veterinarian immediately to rule out the upcoming medical issues.
Medical Conditions after Consuming Fruit Snack
Fruit snacks are harmful to the dog by now. Let us see what medical conditions can a dog face if he had consumed a fruit snack:
Heart issues
Arthritis
Dental issues
Pancreatitis
Obesity
Diabetes
Hormonal imbalance
Inflammation
Dermatitis
Lethargy
Cancer
Alternative to Fruit Snacks
Here are some healthy snacks which you can offer your dog to eat:
No, sugars contain high calories. Hence it is unsafe for dogs to consume it – specifically, granulated sugar. If a package contains any artificial sugar, you must not give the product to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Chocolates?
No, chocolate causes diarrhea in dogs and also triggers vomiting. Therefore, it is strictly prohibited for dogs to eat.
Conclusion
Fruit snacks are poisonous for dogs. The multiple health hazards can be life-threatening for your dog. If your dog has accidentally consumed fruit snacks, consult your vet immediately. Other fruit snacks alternatives are not only healthy for your dog but also lip-smacking.
