We might be eating Jello on a fine summer day as we lounge at the poolside while chatting with family with friends.
And out of a sudden, our lovely pooch approaches us and stares at us, as if they’re looking straight into our soul.
Here they are again, asking for that thing we’re eating — sugar-free Jello.
But is Jello safe for dogs?
Yes, dogs can eat sugar-free Jello occasionally. But, too much Jello is also unhealthy for dogs because it can have food coloring and is already highly processed.
Although you can give them a small amount occasionally, it’s still better to avoid giving them any as this can become a habit and your dog can get addicted to it.
In this article, we’ll talk more about the effects of sugar-free Jello on dogs, why xylitol is toxic, and what you should do if they ate too much.
What Is Sugar-Free Jello?
Sugar-free Jello is either in powder form or ready-to-eat form that comes in different colors/flavors like orange, red, blue, yellow, and green.
Powdered Jello contains powdered gelatin peppered with sugar and artificial sweeteners. This makes powdered Jello a bit unhealthier than those in ready-to-eat forms.
Is Sugar-Free Jello Safe For Dogs?
Sugar-free Jello isn’t safe for dogs because some variants usually contain an artificial sweetener called toxic xylitol. This can cause xylitol poisoning in dogs where they can suffer from tremors, seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea.
This happens because the dog’s pancreas confuses xylitol with natural sugar. The pancreas then releases lots of insulin to neutralize the sugar levels, unknowingly removing the remaining natural sugar from the bloodstream.
Meanwhile, regular Jello containing sugar is still unhealthy for dogs but at a less severe level than those containing xylitol. Sugar can lead to obesity and worsen more serious illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, and pancreatitis.
Can Sugar-Free Jello Poison Dogs?
Yes, sugar-free Jello can poison dogs because it contains an artificial sweetener called xylitol, a replacement for natural sugar. This is very toxic to dogs and can cause many sudden, alarming effects on their bodies.
Here are some common signs of xylitol poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Lethargy
- Body weakness
- Poor body coordination
It’s better to create your own homemade Jello treat for your dog to ensure this doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol. It’s also better if there are no artificial flavors or coloring.
Why Shouldn’t Dogs Eat Sugar-Free Jello?
Some Sugar-Free Jello variants contain xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs because this can disrupt their bloodstream and cause the abnormal release of too much insulin. This results in diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and body weakness.
Xylitol can also lower your dog’s blood sugar levels and cause hypoglycemia. Meanwhile, there are also other cases where xylitol poisoning leads to liver failure and death. This is why you shouldn’t give sugar-free Jello to your dog if you want to ensure their safety.
What To Do If Dogs Eat Sugar-Free Jello?
Don’t panic if your dog ate Jello. First, know the kind of Jello they ate. If it’s not sugar-free, you don’t have to worry too much because it won’t have any xylitol.
Instead, it’ll have sugar and other artificial ingredients like food flavoring and coloring. Although they are still unhealthy for dogs, their effect is less severe than xylitol.
But if your dog ate sugar-free Jello continuing xylitol, the best thing you should do is to bring your dog directly to the nearest veterinarian.
The vet will examine the dog and do all medical procedures to stop the xylitol from further spreading to the bloodstream. They will also give medicines to the dog to lower the severity of the effects caused by xylitol poisoning.
What Are The Best Alternatives To Sugar-Free Jello?
Homemade gelatin is one of the best alternatives to sugar-free Jello because you can assure that all the ingredients used are safe for dogs. Make sure it doesn’t have artificial sweeteners like xylitol and artificial flavors and coloring.
You can add fresh strawberries to the gelatin after freezing it in the fridge. Strawberries are naturally sweet and are rich in Vitamin C, which can strengthen your dog’s immune system. Gelatin also contains protein which helps build strong bones and muscles.
You can also give frozen fruits to dogs. Some of the best ones are mangoes, bananas, oranges, and blueberries. Just make sure you don’t give too much to them to avoid diarrhea and an upset stomach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Gelatin?
Yes, dogs can eat Gelatin because it is safe for doggy consumption. In fact, plain and unflavored gelatin is good for your dog’s joints, bones, and skin. So again, if you’re feeding your pooch Gelatin, make sure it’s plain without any added flavorings, added sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
Yes, dogs can eat gelatin. But make sure that it is unflavored and doesn’t have artificial ingredients like xylitol and food coloring. Natural gelatin can help improve your dog’s bones, joints, skin, and muscles because it contains protein.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Jello?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat strawberry Jello because it contains lots of sugar and artificial coloring. It can also contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs.
Does Sugar-Free Jello Have Xylitol?
Yes, most sugar-free Jello have xylitol to replace natural sugar, which many people see as unhealthy.
Although xylitol is safe for humans, it is dangerous for dogs because it can lower blood sugar levels and cause hypoglycemia. In worse cases, this sudden drop in blog sugar can lead to death.
So, Can Dogs Eat Sugar-Free Jello?
Yes, dogs can eat sugar-free Jello. But only if it doesn’t have xylitol because this is very toxic to dogs. The Jello also shouldn’t have artificial ingredients like food coloring and flavors because this can upset your dog’s stomach.
You can make homemade Jello instead without sugar, flavors, or sweetener. Instead, add fresh or frozen fruits into the Jello to make them more enticing for your dogs.