As a dog parent, you might sometimes feel the temptation to share your food with your dog. But you might be unsure about what human foods are safe for your pup. There is a lot of confusion on the internet regarding what foods can be harmful to your pet. Amongst all this confusion, one major doubt is whether or not your pet can eat jelly. Well, not just any jelly but strawberry jelly to be specific.
If the question was “Can dogs eat strawberry?” The answer would be YES. They are healthy, low-calorie fruits that you can add to your dog’s diet easily. But what about strawberry jelly? Let’s find out!
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Jelly?
NO. Dogs cannot eat strawberry jelly. Here’s all you need to know about why feeding strawberry jelly to your pooch isn’t a good idea.
The Dangers Of Strawberry Jelly on Canine Health
Strawberry jelly can be very harmful to canines and this is mainly due to the following reasons.
- Strawberry jelly is high in sugar. Too much sugar can lead to obesity and diabetes in dogs.
- Strawberry jelly contains artificial flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives that are extremely dangerous for the dog’s health.
We will discuss this in more detail.
Obesity And Diabetes in Dogs
Canine obesity is a common nutritional disorder in dogs. Excessive intake of sugar causes the body weight to rise in an overweight condition. Obese dogs are more vulnerable to health complications such as exercise intolerance, cardiovascular disorder, cancer, skin disease, and even- early death.
Signs that your dog is obese include:
- Abdominal drooping
- Drop in energy level
- Increased panting and tiredness
- Refusal to participate in games and training
- More rounded face and neck
Sometimes obesity can also lead to diabetes in dogs. When the sugar level rises in the bloodstream, the dog’s body fails to produce enough insulin and as a result, they can become diabetic.
You might also be interested in “Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Jam?”
Artificial Flavors, Sweeteners, and Preservatives
Did you know that almost 80% of the packaged food that we consume contains varieties of chemicals? Yes, that’s right. Artificial flavors, sweeteners such as Xylitol, and preservatives such as sodium benzoate are added to increase the taste and the shelf life of the food. Food colors and stabilizing agents are also added to keep the food fresh and consumable. These additives are not only harmful to humans but to dogs too.
Xylitol poisoning is one of the most common health problems in dogs. It is also one of the most dangerous. Symptoms of Xylitol poisoning are:
- Vomiting
- Staggering
- A sudden drop in blood sugar level
- Collapse
- Seizure
Conclusion
Now that you know dogs cannot eat strawberry jelly, you should know that strawberry cake and strawberry ice cream are equally unhealthy for dogs. But strawberry fruit, in its most natural form, is very healthy for canines. For the best result, you can cut the berry into small slices and give them to your pooch. And don’t forget to remove the stem and leaves.
To explore more, here are some other articles on strawberries for dogs.
Have you ever given strawberry jelly to your dog? How was their reaction? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!