When you think about your favorite dessert, does jello come to your mind? Don’t worry; you’re not the first one. Jello is indeed a yummy way to treat yourself after dinner or lunch, or just randomly. Sweet and squishy, it is a delight for your taste buds. Jello is great for you from the health perspective as well. It contains gelatin, a food ingredient derived from collagen that has a unique combination of amino acids.
Has the thought of sharing your jello with your pet friend ever crossed your mind? Before moving ahead with the thought, you need to stop and think if the treat that you love so much is safe for your dog to consume.
Can dogs eat jello? The short answer to this is yes; they can. Jello contains gelatin, which is equally beneficial for animals like dogs. However, gelatin is the only healthy jello-ingredient for dogs. It is also rich in sugar, which does more harm than good to your dog. Thus, you should feed this treat in moderation if you want to avoid the potential harm it can cause to your pet.
What about jello shots or jello pudding? Can your dog eat those? Can you prepare jello for your dog at home? Read on to find the answer to every question you might have about feeding your dog jello.
Do dogs like eating jello?
Is that even a question we should ask? Dogs are a sucker for a sweet treat and seize every opportunity they can find of having one. Try serving jello to your pet and behold the glimmer you see in their eyes. Dogs eat jello lovingly, which is why you should be careful about the quantity you are feeding them.
Is jello safe for your dog?
To determine whether jello is good or bad for your pet’s health, we must begin by looking at the ingredients used in making it. The central ingredients in jello are gelatin, sugar, food coloring, artificial flavors, and water.
Out of these, one ingredient is healthy for your pet, and another can cause serious health problems if consumed regularly. Let’s take a look at these ingredients.
Gelatin
Gelatin contains protein in the purest form available for consumption. It is healthy for your pet just as it is for you. Gelatin is a major (perhaps the only) nutrient your dog can gain from jello.
Gelatin promotes the digestion of carbohydrates, cures diarrhea or upset stomach, and prevents brain damage in your pet.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties that have a healing effect on dogs who suffer from arthritis, generative joint disease, dysplasia, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Sugar
As we mentioned before, jello is a sweet treat. And like every other sweet treat, contains sugar as well. Excess sugar in your pet’s diet can lead to weight issues in them, and this is not the end of it.
Your dog can lose extra pounds with exercise. However, what they can’t get rid of easily are diseases like diabetes. Sugar can also increase the blood pressure of dogs and can give way to cardiac diseases eventually.
Other than sugar, the artificial flavors and food coloring added in jello are not exactly healthy for your pet either.
Xylitol
Since the birth of sugar-free food, many diabetes patients avoid buying processed food that contains sugar. Some simply avoid it to remain healthy. However, have you ever wondered how manufacturers make these sugar-free foods sweet?
Xylitol is the answer. Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in some plants that act as an artificial sweetener in these foods. Xylitol is healthier than sugar for humans.
However, when a dog eats it, Xylitol stimulates the release of insulin in their body. This process can result in a significant decrease in their blood sugar levels and cause hypoglycemia. The common symptoms of hypoglycemia are depression, vomiting, lethargy, tremors, and lack of coordination.
Not all the manufacturers mention Xylitol directly on their product cans/ packets. Many refer to it as reduced sugar, low carb, and tooth-friendly. Thus, it would help if you scanned the can carefully before buying jello that you might feed your pet.
Can dogs eat flavored jello?
No, flavored jello is not safe for your dog either. As far as flavor is concerned, there are many fruits out there that are safe, even healthy, for your dog when fed in moderation, such as apple and banana.
However, the store-bought jello doesn’t contain these fruits but their artificial flavors, which may have toxic chemicals. Altogether, it is best to avoid feeding dogs flavored jello.
Can dogs eat jello shots?
Jello shots are just as harmful to your dog as the jello itself. Almost all jello shots contain Xylitol, which we have already pointed to be lethal for your pet. Thus, don’t feed your dog jello shots.
Can dogs eat jello pudding?
While regular pudding is not all that bad for your dog when they lick it once or twice, jello puddings have a high probability of containing Xylitol, which is life-threatening for dogs. If you can find a pudding in a store that doesn’t contain Xylitol, you can occasionally use it as a treat for your dog.
Can puppies eat jello?
No. You shouldn’t feed your little pup jello or any other sweet treat until they are at least a few months old. A puppy’s digestive system is much more fragile than a grown dog and can be fatally harmed if exposed to sugar.
Making home-made jello for your dog
If you are keen on feeding your dog gelatin treats, it is best to make them yourself. That way, you can avoid adding too much sugar or artificial flavors that contain chemicals that are toxic to your dogs.
You can easily prepare it at home, and it can be a healthy dessert, both you and your pet can share. When making jello for your pet, coconut, cinnamon, and pumpkin are ideal flavors to choose from.
Human foods that you can safely feed your dog
As long as you are careful about moderation, there are a variety of human foods that you can safely feed your dog.
Yogurt
Unlike other dairy products, yogurt can make healthy treats for your pet. It is rich in protein and calcium and acts as a probiotic for your dog’s digestive system.
Popcorn
Plain, unsalted, and unbuttered air-popped popcorn is a great snack for dogs. Popcorn is rich in minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus.
White rice
Plain white rice can cure your pet’s upset stomach since it is easy to digest.
Fish
Fish can be a great source of protein for your pet. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that boost your dog’s immunity and keep their skin healthy. Fish is also rich in Vitamin B, which helps in promoting proper blood circulation.
Peanut butter
Peanut butter contains Vitamins B and E, healthy fats, and protein. Therefore, they make a great treat for your pet. However, avoid buying peanut butter that contains Xylitol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog eat eggs along with their shells? Yes, hard-boiled eggs are great for your dog’s health. Dogs can consume the shells of eggs safely as well.
How much carbohydrate does my dog need in a day? An ideal dog diet should contain about 14% of carbohydrates.
Why are raisins and grapes harmful to my dog? Although it is unknown exactly what it is about the raisins and grapes, they have often caused renal failure in dogs.
What is it about chocolate that is toxic to dogs? The cacao plant contains a bitter alkaloid called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and causes hyperactivity.
Can I feed my dog potatoes? You should avoid feeding your dog potatoes due to its high starch content.
Are daffodils toxic to my dog? Yes. Daffodils can cause skin irritation and poisoning in your dog. In many cases, daffodil poisoning has led to the death of dogs.
How many times should a dog be fed in a day? You can feed a puppy four meals a day, but if you have a grown dog, two meals a day is sufficient.
Summing it up
To sum it up, you can feed your pet jello in moderation. Rich in gelatin, jello is a healthy treat for dogs. However, it is best to feed your dog home-made jello so that you can control the sugar and chemical content.