Syrup goes well with our favorite comfort foods. Who doesn’t love pancakes drenched in this sweet, sugary goodness?
Even your dog might enjoy syrup. But just because something is yummy doesn’t mean it’s healthy.
We’ll cut to the chase: syrup is bad for dogs. A tiny amount of the sugary kind may not immediately harm your dog, but it can still make them ill in the long run. As for the other type of syrup? The one that uses an artificial sweetener called xylitol? That can be a death sentence for any canine.
Read on to learn more about the problems that can arise when a dog eats syrup.
What is syrup?
There are various types of syrup, including simple, natural, and artificial.
Simple syrup is a thick, sticky liquid condiment made by dissolving sugar in water. Creating natural syrup involves reducing naturally occurring sweet fluids, such as maple sap, cane juice, or agave nectar. Artificial syrup makes use of artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.
Syrup is used to sweeten food and drink. For example, it can be poured over a pastry, mixed into an alcoholic beverage, or whipped into butter.
Its delicious taste and convenient availability make syrup one of the world’s most popular condiments.
Sugar: why syrup and dogs don’t get along
Simple and natural syrups aren’t toxic to dogs; eating tiny amounts of these goodies won’t poison them. Natural syrups are better than simple syrup as they contain vitamins and minerals every dog needs.
However, if we’re talking about nutrients, dogs can obtain the essentials from healthier, vet-approved foods, so eating syrup is unnecessary.
More importantly, syrup is exceedingly high in sugar. This is true of simple syrup and all types of natural syrups (such as maple syrup).
As too much sugar is bad for dogs, a dog that eats syrup can end up experiencing the following problems:
Obesity and associated health risks
Thanks to having so much sugar, syrup provides excess calories your dog doesn’t need. In fact, feeding dogs syrup on a regular basis can make them pack on extra pounds that’ll ultimately lead to obesity.
Obesity is bad for any animal. As it can render even the lightest exercise a chore, it can discourage your dog from moving around, which can make losing weight that much harder. Worse, obesity can increase the risk of serious, potentially life-threatening problems including heart disease and diabetes.
An obese dog won’t derive as much pleasure from life as a healthy one. So do your dog a favor: don’t give them syrup or any equally fattening stuff.
High blood sugar levels
When a dog eats syrup, their body absorbs an inordinate amount of sugar. This raises their blood sugar levels above normal, which can result in dehydration, extreme thirst, depression, lower energy levels, seizures, or even a coma.
If your dog’s blood sugar levels remain abnormally high for extended periods, they may end up suffering from kidney disease, heart disease, a stroke, and possibly even diabetes.
Pancreatitis
When your dog eats sugar, their pancreas produces insulin to normalize their blood sugar levels. The more sugar your dog ingests, the harder the pancreas has to work to bring those levels down. An overworked pancreas can become damaged or inflamed – a condition known as pancreatitis.
For this reason, feeding your dog syrup often and/or in large amounts increases their risk of pancreatitis.
The symptoms of pancreatitis include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, poor appetite, lethargy, and fever. Pancreatitis can also manifest as “attacks,” during which a dog may stick their rear in the air while pressing their head and forelegs to the ground. A severe attack can cause intense depression, extreme shock, and even death.
Dental problems
Eating food as sugary as syrup raises the acidity level of the mouth cavity, which, in turn, can erode the enamel (the tough, external layer of the teeth). Simply put, feeding dogs syrup can rot their teeth.
If cavities form in your dog’s teeth due to excess sugar consumption, they may end up with bad breath, discolored teeth, a poor appetite that discourages them from eating, and swelling, pain, or bleeding around or inside the mouth. Untreated, cavities can lead to tooth loss.
Poor appetite
Syrup and other sugary treats can cause sugar addiction in your dog, which can drastically reduce their interest in healthier foods. Anyone who regularly feeds their dog syrup shouldn’t be surprised when their pet stops eating their vet-approved meals. And a dog that doesn’t enjoy a nutritious, well-balanced diet will grow increasingly susceptible to various health problems.
Digestive issues
Is there too much sugar in your dog’s belly? Expect issues such as an upset stomach, a stomachache, gas, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Xylitol: why syrup is lethal to dogs
In their effort to make their products less fattening, some manufacturers create syrup using an artificial sweetener called xylitol instead of sugar.
Humans can consume xylitol safely.
But to dogs, xylitol can be deadly. Even a tiny amount can make your pooch dangerously ill.
Xylitol doesn’t discriminate, either; it can hurt any dog regardless of age, size, sex, or breed.
If your dog ingests xylitol syrup, they can display symptoms such as stomach upsets, exhaustion, weakness, shivering, confusion, seizures, abnormally low blood sugar levels, and fainting. Xylitol consumption can also result in liver damage, liver failure, a coma, and death.
A dog may start exhibiting symptoms of xylitol poisoning 30 minutes after syrup consumption. However, some dogs can take as long as a full day before experiencing issues. This is why it’s crucial to seek veterinary aid even if your dog seems fine after ingesting xylitol syrup.
While inducing vomiting and feeding your dog charcoal can remove the toxin from their system, it’s highly recommended you ask a vet for advice before taking such steps. So don’t hesitate to call a vet or bring your furry friend to a pet clinic if they eat syrup containing xylitol.
How to protect your dog from syrupy problems
There are measures you can take to keep your dog safe from the issues caused by syrup ingestion.
Healthier alternatives
If you want your dog to enjoy a sweet treat that’s similar to syrup, give them raw honey.
Raw honey is rich in nutrients crucial to every dog’s health. However, as it’s also fattening, it’s best served in small quantities and as an occasional treat only.
Don’t give raw honey to puppies, obese dogs, or diabetic dogs! And make sure to ask your vet for advice before giving your dog this sweet treat.
Hide your syrup
What your dog can’t see or smell won’t tempt them. So hide your syrup jars where your dog can’t find them, such as the cupboards above the kitchen counter.
In addition, always examine every food item or household product’s label. Anything with xylitol should be well-hidden from your dog.
Preparation is important
Keep an easily accessible record of the address and phone number of the nearest, best vet in your area. You can store this information in your phone. Alternatively, you can write it down on a piece of paper, then stick that paper to the wall or fridge.
Those in North America can also contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 should any problems arise.
Seek veterinary assistance
If your dog shows any signs of distress after eating syrup, contact a vet asap so they can tell you what to do next. A pet experiencing extreme or prolonged issues should be taken to the vet immediately.
Always seek a vet’s advice regarding your dog’s diet. Inform them whenever you want to give your pet something new to eat. As much as possible, only feed your pet food that your vet approves of.
In conclusion…
While simple and natural syrups aren’t toxic to dogs, their high sugar content can cause problems ranging from unnecessary weight gain to vomiting and diarrhea. On the other hand, artificial syrup containing xylitol can kill your dog.
As syrup can either be fattening or toxic to dogs, it’s best to reserve this sugary treat for human consumption.