Can Dogs Eat Jelly? (No, Here’s Why)

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Jelly is a popular fruit spread that’s found in nearly all households around the world. It’s used interchangeably in a plethora of recipes, yet you may wonder can dogs eat jelly?

Despite being relatively high in sugar, this treat is made from fruit juice and gelatin. Gelatin contains, collagen, an important protein that’s essential for muscle, skin, and bone health.

That said, is jelly good for dogs? Can your dog eat them? Read on to find out:

jelly is a big-no for dogs

 

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Can dogs eat jelly?

can i give my dog jelly?

They can, but jelly is a big-no for dogs.

When enjoying a savory, sweet snack, you just can’t say no to your pooch innocent eyes. Dogs tend to be interested in everything you eat, and you want to give them everything too. However, the bitter truth is that you have to say no sometimes for your dog’s good.

Unlike humans, dogs tend to be less aware if the food they pick is bad for them, especially if it smells yummy. That’s the story of dogs and jelly. Jelly’s contains sugar as its main ingredient, meaning it has a very inviting smell to dogs, but it’s not as healthy.

 

Why Jelly is Harmful

Jelly is a sugary treat with ingredients that might do more harm than good. Although these ingredients are safe for humans, they can be toxic for your dog. Let’s look into each one of them and evaluate their impact on your dog’s health:

 

Sugar

This one doesn’t come as a surprise; we all know that too much sugar isn’t good for animals. It causes the risk of vomiting, diarrhea, and in the longer run, it can cause diabetes, which is one of the most common diseases in dogs. Dental decay is yet another problem that may arise from eating sugary goodies.

 

Xylitol

Being the most dangerous ingredient in jelly, xylitol can impact your dog’s health adversely. Soon as xylitol get into your dog’s system, it causes a drop in blood sugar levels and lowers blood pressure. This can manifest in symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.

 

Pectin

Pectin is medically used to treat diarrhea in dogs, but too much of it can lead to constipation. Hence, this risk only becomes effective if your dog eats too many jellybeans or jelly babies. However, this doesn’t justify eating a few jelly either, considering all the other harmful ingredients.

 

Artificial Additives

The different flavors and colors of jelly come from artificial ingredients, which most dogs are often allergic to.

 

Caffeine

Dogs experience pretty similar immediate effect as humans after consuming caffeine; an instant boost in energy levels. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, making dogs hyper. However, although caffeine is not a fatal ingredient in moderate amounts, too much of it can cause caffeine poisoning, which manifest in symptoms like;

  • Mild or severe hyperactivity
  • Vomiting
  • Restlessness
  • Tachycardia
  • Seizures
  • Abnormal heart rate
  • Hyperthermia ( increased body temperature)
  • Tremors and even collapse
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

 

Symptoms to Look Out For:  Dog Ate Jelly

If you dog eat lots of jelly, you know that something wrong might happen. You need to keep an eye out for any side effects listed below to save your dog’s life.

Try to figure out how much jelly your dog ate. Did your kids feed some few pieces to your dog or did it empty the whole pack? Understanding this aspect of the problem will confirm your suspicion. Also, check if the jelly contains xylitol and caffeine. If it doesn’t, your dog will probably be fine in a couple of hours.

However, continue to keep an eye on the dog as a precaution. Check its poop for constipation or diarrhea. Other than that, hyperactivity, vomiting, and lethargy are a red flag.

If the jelly your dog ate contains xylitol and caffeine, take your furry friend to the vet as soon as possible. Your veterinary can induce vomit or offer medication, depending on the severity of the condition.

 

Bottom Line:  Can Dogs Eat Jelly?

Jelly is absolutely not safe for dogs- not only because they are sugary, junky treats but also contain ingredients and are harmful and even lethal for dogs, depending on the brand you choose. Keep your dog safe; keep jelly out of its reach!

Jason
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