Our canine companions are pros at begging our food off us, and they aren’t picky either. Our pups are more than interested in eating everything we eat. But not all people foods are healthy for dogs; in fact, some foods can seriously harm or even kill a dog. So, you always need to be careful when giving your food to your pet.
If you find yourself enjoying a breakfast of pancakes and syrup and see your pet begging for a bite, you might wonder if dogs can eat syrup. While most syrups aren’t toxic to dogs, they aren’t healthy for them, so your pup shouldn’t have any. Here’s what to know about what makes syrup so unhealthy for dogs and why any type of syrup should be avoided.
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Syrup?
Canines shouldn’t consume syrup because of the amount of sugar found in this product. While sugar isn’t toxic to dogs and won’t harm them if they eat a bit here and there, eating too much in one go can cause gastrointestinal upset. Long-term consumption of sugar can lead to obesity, which is associated with many health risks including arthritis, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and a reduced lifespan. But what if you gave your pet sugar-free syrup? Wouldn’t that be fine?
No. Many sugar-free products use a sweetener known as xylitol, which is incredibly toxic to canines. When dogs consume something containing xylitol, the sweetener triggers a rapid release of insulin that can spike so quickly and so high it causes hypoglycemia. This hypoglycemia comes on fast, and it can be deadly for dogs. You always want to avoid giving any food containing xylitol to your canine companion!
Dangers of Feeding Syrup to Dogs
As mentioned previously, the main concern when it comes to feeding syrup to dogs is the amount of sugar it contains. After all, syrups consist primarily of sugar. While it isn’t harmful for dogs to have the occasional bit of sugar, it really isn’t something they need much of in their diet.
Syrups tend to be rather high in calories due to the sugar they contain, too. For example, a quarter cup of Mrs. Butterworth’s has 210 calories, which is quite a bit! Any extra calories your pup consumes while eating treats get added to the calories they consume eating their meals, and if you aren’t careful, those calories can quickly add up. Much like humans, dogs can pack on the pounds if they continuously eat sugar. Obesity can shorten a dog’s life expectancy and put them at increased risk of many health concerns.
Finally, there’s the risk of a syrup containing xylitol, which we’ve already mentioned can be deadly for a canine.
If a dog eats this artificial sweetener, you may see signs like:
- Trouble walking
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Coma
Contact your vet straight away if your dog has consumed syrup containing xylitol, do not wait to see if they develop signs. Giving syrup to your dog simply isn’t worth the health issues it could cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Agave Syrup? Is It Healthier?
Because agave syrup is derived from a plant, you may wonder if it’s safe for your pup to eat. This syrup from agave plants is commonly used as an alternative to sugar and occasionally as a binding agent in foods. However, it, too, consists mainly of sugar (and tastes sweeter than sugar!), so while it isn’t toxic, it is still unhealthy for your pet.
Can Dogs Eat Molasses?
Some people prefer molasses to pancake syrup, and molasses is sometimes used in dog treats, so surely this one is safe, right? No.
Again, molasses isn’t toxic, but it isn’t healthy (so if you’re considering getting dog treats using this ingredient for your pup, talk to your vet about whether that is okay for your dog). Molasses is a by-product created during the making of sugar, so it has way too much sugar for dogs. Even blackstrap molasses, which is sometimes used in dog products and has the lowest amount of sugar, has a lot of sugar in it.
What About Maple Syrup? Is It Safe?
While pure maple syrup isn’t toxic to our pups, it, like other syrups, contains a ton of sugar, so giving it to your dog isn’t a great idea. You should absolutely avoid artificial maple syrups, though, as these contain artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, which can harm your dog immensely.
Should I Give My Dog Tapioca Syrup?
Tapioca syrup, which comes from the cassava plant, is another common alternative sweetener used in foods. However, like all other syrups, it has far too much sugar to allow a dog to eat it. This syrup is not toxic, though, so if your pup does manage to get their paws on some, they’ll be alright.
Conclusion
No matter what type of syrup you’re eating, you should avoid giving it to your canine companion. While syrups aren’t toxic to dogs (unless they use artificial sweeteners like xylitol), they are full of sugar and calories your pup simply doesn’t need. If your dog is begging for a treat, stick to giving them low-calorie doggie treats, as these will always be your safest bet.
Featured Image Credit: BlkG, Shutterstock