A classic treat that hits the spot when you’re craving something sweet, luscious, and creamy, vanilla pudding is perfect on its own as comfort food or as cake and pie filling. So beloved is this dessert that it has a day set aside for its celebration—May 22 is recognized as National Vanilla Pudding Day in the U.S.!
Now as pet parents, it’s only natural for us to want to share our favorite treats with our precious pups. So you may want to let your pooch help you finish that sweet, delicious cup of pudding. Unfortunately, vanilla pudding offers no nutritional benefits to dogs. In fact, it may even pose threats to their health and lead to certain illnesses when consumed in large quantities. This is why it’s best to avoid feeding your pup vanilla pudding altogether.
Read on to find out more about the specific risks associated with giving dogs vanilla pudding and why it should be avoided. We’ll also give you alternative treats and desserts you can safely feed your dog in place of vanilla pudding to satisfy his sweet tooth!
Risks of Feeding Your Dog Vanilla Pudding
While there’s no doubt that vanilla pudding is a tasty treat, it’s not exactly the healthiest option for you. The bad news is that it’s even less healthy for your pup since it contains a lot of ingredients that could be detrimental or downright dangerous to his health.
Here are a few of the hazards of feeding your dog vanilla pudding:
Xylitol
Keto or sugar-free versions of vanilla pudding offer us a healthy and guilt-free way to enjoy the desert, but unfortunately, they can be toxic to our dogs. This is because they often contain xylitol, a sugar alcohol that offers the sweet taste of sugar with fewer calories.
Xylitol is poisonous to dogs; consuming any product with it can cause a sudden and dangerous drop in their blood sugar levels. Even the smallest amount of xylitol can lead to hypoglycemia and even liver failure in some cases.
Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Incoordination
- Collapse
- Coma
Call Pet Poison Helpline or take your dog to the vet immediately if he’s ingested vanilla pudding that contains xylitol.
Lactose
Many dogs suffer from lactose intolerance. This is a condition that occurs when a canine’s digestive system is unable to produce lactase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down and digesting the lactose in milk and other dairy products.
Milk serves as the base of vanilla pudding, making it one of the primary ingredients in the dish. As such, lactose-intolerant dogs who eat a lot of vanilla pudding may end up being unable to digest it. This means they’re likely to have adverse reactions to it.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance in dogs can occur within half an hour of ingesting a dairy product like vanilla pudding. These include:
- Diarrhea (loose or watery stools)
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Excessive thirst
- Loss of appetite
Vanilla Extract
Distinct for its sugary, candy-like, and subtly floral taste, vanilla extract is responsible for giving vanilla pudding its delicate flavor. This ingredient adds a lightness that distinguishes it from the much richer chocolate pudding and sweeter fruit-flavored pudding.
But while vanilla extract is safe to consume for humans and is a staple in most dessert recipes, it can be extremely harmful to dogs. This is because it contains high amounts of ethyl alcohol, which can lead to alcohol intoxication in dogs when consumed in large quantities.
Symptoms of alcohol intoxication in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Disorientation
- Depression or lethargy
- Drooling
- Excessive thirst
- Slow heart rate
- Sudden collapse
Take note that most vanilla pudding products contain only a small amount of vanilla extract and most of the alcohol is lost during the cooking process. However, it’s still worthwhile to note the dangers it presents to dogs, especially if you’re making your own vanilla pudding. It’s extremely important to make sure the vanilla extract is out of your dog’s reach.
High Sugar Content
Both store-bought and homemade versions of vanilla pudding contain high amounts of sugar. A 3.5 oz. cup of vanilla pudding can have as much as 14g of sugar.
Too much sugar can cause a number of health issues in dogs, especially when given on a regular basis. The most immediate and alarming effect of consuming excess sugar is inflammation all throughout your pup’s body. This can lead to illnesses like:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Pancreatitis
Additionally, while dogs do need sugar for energy, it’s better for them to get sugar from healthier, more wholesome sources than vanilla pudding.
High Caloric Content
A cup of vanilla pudding made from instant vanilla pudding mix can contain up to 229 calories. Even homemade vanilla pudding is high in calories, ranging from 170 to 258 calories. By comparison, an average dog weighing 10 lbs. needs only 200 to 275 calories per day.
Going over your dog’s daily caloric needs can lead to obesity. Obese dogs are at higher risk for certain illnesses, such as:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart disease (particularly hypertension)
- Kidney disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Complications from surgery or anesthesia
Alternatives to Vanilla Pudding For Dogs
Given all the health risks associated with vanilla pudding laid out above, it’s best to steer clear of feeding it to your dog. A lick or two of vanilla pudding might not hurt him if it doesn’t contain xylitol, but giving him any more than that can lead to serious issues.
However, if you want to give your dog a healthier and more substantial “dessert”, there are a few safer alternatives you can feed him! Here are a few options you can try:
Rice Pudding
Rice pudding is the safest type of pudding you can give your dog! Take note, though, that it still shouldn’t be given on a regular basis as it’s quite high in sugar and carbohydrates.
Giving it as an occasional treat is perfectly acceptable, especially if you make your own canine-friendly version. All you need is rice, milk for dogs or almond milk, beef mince, and some cinnamon to complete the recipe and serve it to your pup.
If you’re giving your pooch store-bought rice pudding, make sure it doesn’t contain raisins which are highly toxic to dogs.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is lower in fat and contains less lactose than regular yogurt, which makes it perfect for dogs. It also has a thick, creamy consistency similar to vanilla pudding, so you can be sure that your dog will enjoy it. Make sure to get plain, fat-free Greek yogurt that doesn’t contain xylitol.
If you want a sweeter treat for your dog, you can blend berries or other safe fruits for dogs with Greek yogurt for a healthy, addictive dessert!
Banana, Sweet Potato, or Pumpkin Purée
For a smooth, easy-to-eat doggie dessert, you can go for a purée instead! Bananas are a great choice for purées since they’re chock-full of nutrients and potassium – with a sweet taste that dogs love.
If you want to go for something less sweet and more filling, you can try sweet potato or pumpkin. Both these foods are low in carbohydrates, high in fiber, and rich in vitamins, making them extremely beneficial for dogs’ digestive and overall health.
Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream for Dogs
We all know vanilla pudding is best served cold, so if you want your dog to have a similar frozen treat, you can try making ice cream for him!
All you need is peanut butter, bananas, and Greek yogurt. Blend them all together until smooth, then pour the mixture into ice cube trays or popsicle molds. Stick it in the freezer for a few hours and serve it to your dog cold – the perfect frozen dessert for hot days!
In Closing
Vanilla pudding may be an enjoyable, versatile dessert for us, but it’s dangerous and unhealthy for our dogs. It doesn’t offer any nutrients that dogs need, and feeding it to them can lead to a whole host of health issues. Instead, go for alternatives like rice pudding, Greek yogurt, and homemade ice cream to satisfy your pup’s craving for sweets!