Yes, dogs can eat jello provided they are homemade. Jello is non-toxic and does not harm your pet when fed in smaller quantities. Additionally, homemade jello contains more gelatin and less sugar; natural, dog-friendly fruit juices in place of artificial colors. Hence, jello is quite suitable for your canine’s health.
Table of Contents
What is jello?
Jello is a gelatin-based dessert with a gel-like texture. It is available in powdered form or ready for consumption. It comes in a variety of flavors and colors. Jello contains the following ingredients:
Water
Gelatin
Artificial flavors
Sugar
Food coloring
Gelatin is colorless, tasteless, and transparent substance, which is the primary ingredient in jello. It is derived from collagen, a natural protein. Collagen is extracted by boiling the cartilaginous animal materials, such as bones, connective tissues, and skin. It is then dried, ground to a powder, and sifted to make gelatin. The powdered form of gelatin is usually dissolved in boiling water to form a mixture that cools down to give jello.
Commercial forms of jello are available with artificial flavors, sweeteners, and sugars, while homemade jello is devoid of these.
Is jello safe for dogs?
Jello is safe for your canine’s consumption in smaller quantities and in its purest form. However, store-bought jello may come with artificial sweeteners like xylitol which are highly toxic to dogs.
Why is jello good for Dogs?
Jello contains gelatin which is rich in animal protein. Hence, it is a part of a dog’s diet and nutritionally benefits him in ways as listed below:
It protects from brain damages and seizures due to the presence of the amino acid.
Its anti-inflammatory properties help alleviate inflammation in dogs who suffer from arthritis or conditions like hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Gelatin enhances the digestion of carbohydrates and grains.
Gelatin may prevent cancer growth and liver damage.
Gelatin may help with gut flora.
Why is jello Bad for Dogs?
The store-bought jello contains artificial flavors, sweeteners, and sugars. The presence of these ingredients makes it unsuitable for a dog to consume.
Sugar:
While sugar by itself is not toxic, prolonged over-consumption may cause severe diseases in your canine. The effect of sugar consumption in dogs may have short- or long-term implications; they include:
Short term effects of sugar consumption:
The immediate aftermath of consuming sugar is that it disrupts a dog’s digestive health, which leads to
Xylitol: Also known as sugar alcohol, xylitol is an artificial sweetener used to substitute sugar. Sugar-free jello may contain xylitol which, when consumed by dogs, get rapidly absorbed into their bloodstream. As a result, your dog’s pancreas releases a lot of insulin, causing a sudden drop in the blood sugar level. This condition is referred to as hypoglycemia.
The symptoms of hypoglycemia from xylitol toxicity are:
Vomiting
Excessive drooling
Seizures
Coma
Brain hemorrhage
Liver failure
Drowsiness
Loss of consciousness or slow to respond
If your dog consumes jello containing xylitol, he may exhibit the below body language signs; they include:
Shivering
Wheezing
Pacing
Weakness
Body freezing
Twitching
Lack of focus
Since xylitol toxicity can also lead to death, it is considered a medical emergency. Hence, if you suspect your pet of consuming any food containing xylitol, it is best to reach out to your vet immediately. Additionally, in some cases, a dog may not exhibit any symptoms of xylitol toxicity until the consumed food is digested.
Artificial colors:
Intake of foods containing artificial colors can cause an allergic reaction in dogs and may upset their tummies.
How much jello to Feed Your Dog?
It is safe to feed small quantities of jello to your dog occasionally if it’s xylitol-free. On the contrary, prolonged excessive consumption may lead to health issues. So, jello should not be part of their regular diet.
What if my Dog ate jello?
If your canine consumes some jello without xylitol, it will not have harmful effects on him. However, suppose your pet swallows a little more than the required quantity. In that case, he may develop a mild digestive disturbance due to the sugar content. Watch out for symptoms like:
Vomiting
Diarrhea.
A sudden withdrawal
Play bow stretch indicating pain in the stomach.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, ensure to give him plenty of water to drink to avoid dehydration. You can help ease your canine’s stomach upset by holding him off of food for about 12 hours for his gut to settle down. Once this is done, you can feed him a bland diet such as boiled ground beef and rice or 75% cooked white rice and 25% boiled chicken for three days which will help alleviate his symptoms. If you notice any symptoms of toxicity in your dog, ensure to contact your vet immediately.
HOMEMADE JELLO RECIPES:
Jello is a fascinating sweet dessert that entices your pet’s pallets. But commercially available jello comes with a warning. However, if you wish to satisfy your pet’s pallet and ensure his health, you can substitute jello with pure gelatin.
RECIPE 1: Training your dog to eat pure gelatin
If you find it challenging to feed pure gelatin to your picky eater, then you may adopt the following ways:
Add some gelatin over their regular dry food to serve it mushy.
Mix gelatin with their typical wet food.
The other way to satisfy your pet is to make your gelatin dog treats. For this purpose, you may need unflavored gelatin. The quantity of gelatin to feed depends on the size of your dog. Follow the guidelines below to feed gelatin to your dog twice a day safely.
For dogs who weigh between 10 and 25 lbs – 1/2 tsp
For dogs who weigh between 25 and 50 lbs – 1 tsp
For dogs who weigh between 50 and 75 lbs – 2 tsp
For dogs who weigh between 75 and 100+lbs – 1 tbsp
RECIPE 2:Flavored Jello Treat
Ingredients:
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup hot water
2 tbsp unflavored gelatin
Flavorings: Any flavorings of your choice (dog- friendly fruit juices such as apple, banana, pumpkin, etc.)
To a bowl, add 1/2-3/4 cup of the juice and gelatin powder.
Combine the mixture using a whisk and allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes until it blooms.
Heat the remaining liquid in a medium flame before it reaches the boiling point.
Remove from heat and stir in some honey and the prepared gelatin mixture.
Pour this mixture into a baking dish and refrigerate for 4 hours until set.
Alternatively, to enhance the flavor and make it sweeter naturally, you may replace honey with strawberries or other fruits such as bananas, blueberries, mango, and oranges. Also, ensure to peel the fruits and remove any stem or seed to make them healthy for your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can Puppies Eat Jello?
No, you should not feed your puppies jello owing to its sensitive digestive system.
Can Dogs Eat Gelatin?
Yes, dogs can eat plain unflavored gelatin. As gelatin is 99% animal protein, it strengthens your pet’s muscles and joints, contributing to his health.
Can Dogs Eat Jello Shots?
No, dogs cannot eat jello shots. These shots are made up of alcohol which should not be fed to dogs. If your pup ate it accidentally, track the amount consumed and call your vet immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Sugar-Free Jello?
No, dogs cannot eat sugar-free jello. These desserts may be artificially sweetened with xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Beef Gelatin?
Yes, unflavored plain beef gelatin is good for dogs. It can be used while preparing homemade jello treats.
Can Dogs Eat Fish Gelatin Powder?
Yes, fish gelatin powder is good for dogs. This powder is protein-rich and contains healthy fats that benefit your dog. Hence, it can be used while preparing homemade jello treats.
Can Dogs Eat Great Lakes Gelatin?
Yes, dogs can eat Great Lakes Gelatin. This gelatin is made from beef collagen, which is healthy for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Knox Gelatin?
Yes, dogs can eat Knox Gelatin. This gelatin strengthens your canine’s joints and skin.
Can Dogs Eat Gelatin Capsules?
Yes, dogs can eat Gelatin capsules. This is because these capsules are made from animal protein, it serves as good medicine for your pup.
Can Dogs Eat Gelatin Sweets?
Yes, dogs can eat gelatin sweets in moderation. It is best to avoid sugar for your dog. When consumed excessively, sugar leads to cardiovascular disease or obesity.
Can Dogs Eat Jello Pudding?
Yes, dogs can eat jello pudding moderately, provided they are devoid of xylitol. Additionally, since they contain sugar, it is best to avoid considering your dog’s health.
Can Dogs Eat Red Jello?
No, dogs should not eat red jello. This is because red jello derives its color from artificial colors which are harmful for dog’s consumption.
Can Dogs Eat Raspberry Jello?
No, dogs should not eat raspberry jello. As raspberries contain xylitol, jello made from raspberry should be avoided for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Orange Jello?
Yes, dogs can eat orange jello provided they are homemade.
Can Dogs Eat Lime Jello?
No, dogs should not eat lime jello because lemon or lime is toxic for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Jello?
Yes, dogs can eat strawberry jello provided they are homemade.
Final Thoughts:
Jello is a trendy snack among canine buddies. Since they contain gelatin, they can be safely fed to your dogs in smaller quantities. However, homemade jello is the best choice.
