Fruit snacks are common nowadays and can easily be found in most homes with children. They are known as a delicious treat loved by children, but can dogs eat fruit snacks too? Does it pose any risk to our canine’s health?
If you are also wondering the same type of questions, don’t worry. In this article, we will explore the same. Keep reading to find out whether dogs can consume fruit snacks or not.
Can Dogs Eat Fruit Snacks?
Short answer: No!
According to various sources, fruit snacks contain many ingredients like grapes, xylitol, high amounts of sugars, etc., which are considered toxic for dogs and can lead to serious health issues if ingested in vast quantities.
For example, xylitol can lead to low blood sugar levels in your dog, causing various health issues like hypoglycemia, liver damage, vomiting, and lethargy.
However, a small amount of fruit snacks won’t do any harm to your pup, especially if you have a large dog. But, still, you should maintain precautions to keep the risks to the minimum levels. Keep fruit snacks out of the reach of your furry friends, and if they ingest them accidentally, call your vet to eliminate further risks.
4 Reasons Why Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Fruit Snacks
Here are the four reasons why you should avoid feeding fruit snacks to your dog:
1. Impacts Metabolism Negatively
As mentioned above, Fruit snacks are loaded with sugar, which can spike the insulin levels in your dog’s body and lead to problems in the metabolic system.
According to some sources, high insulin levels can also cause diabetes in dogs and may make them weaker, lazy, and even obese.
2. Fruit Snacks Have High Citric Acid
Fruit snacks contain citric acid, which is unsuitable for our furry friends. It is considered to be a highly toxic substance, not only for dogs but for cats too.
Even consuming a little bit of citric acid can cause an upset stomach in dogs. And if consumed in large amounts, it can even cause severe health issues like slowed or irregular heartbeat, muscle damage, kidney failure, etc.
Thus, ensure to make it impossible for your dog to reach any food, including fruit snacks that contain citric acid.
3. Contains Concentrated Grape Juice
Grapes or products containing grapes shouldn’t be given to dogs at any cost. They are considered poisonous and contain ingredients like theobromine that dogs can’t digest properly. According to the American Kennel Club, even consuming one grape can lead to serious health issues in dogs.
Generally, your dog may show the following signs after the consumption of grapes in any form:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Feeling restless
- High body temperature
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Kidney failure (in rare cases)
If you encounter that your dog has accidentally eaten grapes or a product containing grapes, reach out to your vet to reduce the risks of any serious problem.
4. Can Lead To an Upset Stomach
The high amount of sugar in fruit snacks can also cause your pup to experience an upset stomach and also creates an imbalance in the bacterias that live in the guts.
Your pup may show various signs, which include:
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Gulping
Now, apart from all of the reasons we mentioned above, you should also avoid feeding fruit snacks to your dog if he is already suffering from any of the following health issues:
- Tooth decay or any other dental problem
- Pancreatitis
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
What To Do If Your Dog Accidentally Eat Fruit Snacks?
If your dog has ingested only a few fruit snacks, it most likely won’t cause any severe problems. However, it is still recommended to monitor your dog for some time and notice if he shows any signs of discomfort. Also, if possible, talk to your vet about any precautions you should take.
But, if your pup ingested lots of fruit snacks, seek immediate medical help. Ingesting large amounts of fruit snacks can cause many serious health problems, which must be diagnosed and treated promptly.
What Are Some Best Fruit Snack Alternatives?
Instead of fruit snacks, you should feed your pup some natural fruits as a treat. It won’t taste good, but also provide multiple benefits. Here’s a list of some of the best fruit snack alternatives you can feed your dog.
Note – Fruits should never be a part of your dog’s regular diet. Always feed them as an occasional treat in the right amount. Never allow your dog to consume fruits in large quantities, as it can lead to various health issues. Talking to your vet about how much specific fruit is safe for your pup is recommended.
1. Bananas
Bananas are low in calories and contain many beneficial properties like copper, biotin, fiber, and potassium that can help improve your dog’s health. Mash bananas with your dog’s food or slice them up and feed them to your pup directly.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are a super-rich food and an excellent source of antioxidants, which helps protect cells from being damaged. You can give your dog blueberries directly or mash them up and mix them in your dog’s food.
3. Apple
Apple brings along Vitamin A, B, and dietary fiber, making it a fantastic treat for your dog. Remove the seeds and core part of the apple and feed it to your pup without any worries.
4. Peaches
Peaches are a very popular summer fruit, not only because of their taste but also for the high amount of nutrition it offers. You can give some small pieces of peaches once in a while. Just don’t forget to keep them in moderation.
5. Watermelon
The pink flesh of the watermelon contains many beneficial properties like potassium and vitamin A and C and is also known to promote a healthy digestive system. Hence, you can feed watermelon to your dog as an occasional treat, but ensure to remove the seeds as they can cause problems like internal blockage or damage.
Final Thoughts
Fruit snacks might be a tasty treat for your pup, but they are not healthy at all. It contains many ingredients that can threaten your dog’s health.
Therefore, instead of feeding fruit snacks to your pup, introduce some natural fruits, like bananas, watermelon, apples, etc., to your dog as an occasional treat.
Now, we hope that you have got an answer to your query of whether can dogs eat fruit snacks or not. If you still feel confused or have any doubts, it’s recommended to talk to your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can My Dog Eat Welch’s Fruit Snacks?
Welch’s fruit snacks are not considered entirely toxic, but they are not healthy either. They contain ingredients like sugar and corn syrup which can negatively impact your dog’s health.
2. Can I Feed My Dog Mott’s Fruit Snack?
No. Mott’s fruit snacks contain lots of sugar and concentrated juice, which are unhealthy for our furry friends.
3. What Happens If My Dogs Eat a Fruit Snack?
If your dog has eaten a small amount of fruit snacks, it most likely won’t do any harm. But, still, keep an eye on your pup to see if it shows any discomfort. On the other hand, if your dog consumes a large amount of fruit snacks, call your vet immediately to avoid any severe health problems.
