Jello is a dessert that many people have enjoyed for decades. It’s usually chosen because it tastes good and doesn’t have a lot of calories. When it comes to feeding Jello to your furry friend, there’s a lot to consider. If you’re like most dog owners, you may be tempted to give into the excitement shown when your dog sees you eating Jello, but is jello good for dogs?
Just like a lot of other foods, you might be tempted to provide a little tasty treat of whatever you’re eating. As with anything else you feed your dog, you must first decide if it’s in their best interest. So, is Jello good for dogs? The short answer is ‘yes and no.’ Let’s delve a bit deeper so that you understand why this is the case.
Is It Good to Give Gelatin Products to Dogs?
Generally, Jello will not harm your dog if only a small amount is eaten. As a matter of fact, gelatin is the main ingredient in Jello and it’s considered beneficial for both humans and dogs. Gelatin is known to promote healthy skin, ligaments, tendons and joints. Some people use gelatin products when they want to grow healthier hair.
It almost goes without saying that many dogs enjoy the taste of Jello and will often get excited about the prospect of having it as a treat. The same applies to other products with gelatin, especially when they’re flavored. While all of the positive attributes exist, you must also consider the fact that Jello will sometimes contain Xylitol, which is not good for dogs.
Problems with Xylitol
As a chemical compound used as an artificial sweetener, Xylitol looks and tastes like sugar. It’s often preferred because it doesn’t contain the same amount of calories as sugar. Although Xylitol may not be found in regular Jello it’s likely an ingredient of sugar-free Jello. This applies to gelatin products that are similar to Jello. Quite frankly, some believe sugar-free Jello isn’t really good for humans. When it comes to dogs, there’s a chance that it can be poisonous. It goes without saying that you should avoid feeding sugar-free Jello to your dog.
What About Different Jello Flavors?
Another important consideration if you’re thinking about giving your dog Jello is the type of additives it contains. In addition to sweeteners, you’ll also need to read the other ingredients. For instance, Jello usually contains coloring for orange, strawberry, cherry and lime flavors, among others. Each flavor can require a different ingredient that might be harmful to your dog. Unless you find a gelatin product with natural fruit flavors, there’s a chance that it will have a dangerous ingredient. If you can find a Jello product that doesn’t have any coloring, sweeteners or artificial flavors, it will be a better option for your dog.
Making Jello For Dogs at Home
If you really want to provide your dog with a Jello treat, making it at home is an option. In fact, it’s always best to make food at home because you can decide what to include and you won’t have to worry about chemicals or other unnatural ingredients.
So, Is Jello Good for Dogs?
The bottom line is that you can feed your dog Jello as long as your know what ingredients are included. The best solution is making it at home with a simple recipe that includes gelatin, water and natural flavors.