A question that is typically asked after the fact is, “Can dogs eat Splenda?”
It’s usually something searched for after an owner has found out that their dog has wolfed down a dropped and forgotten Splenda packet.
So, can dogs eat Splenda?
If your dog happens to eat a packet, it will be alright, and at worst, it will get a sour stomach or the runs- assuming it’s a small amount, and you’re not feeding it to the dog on purpose. Rumors that Splenda is poisonous to dogs have been debunked.
Is Splenda Good for Dogs?
No. Though Splenda isn’t considered to be toxic to dogs, it isn’t good for them at all. Just because they can eat it and live, doesn’t mean that they’ll enjoy the stomach ache that comes shortly afterward.
With things such as Splenda, it’s better to err on the side of caution and keep coffee packets or containers in a place where the dog can’t get to it. The same caution should be taken with any foods that might have Splenda as one of its ingredients.
Dogs and Artificial Sweeteners
Though it’s true that Splenda isn’t considered toxic to dogs, there are other artificial sweeteners out there that are catastrophic to a dog’s health- even fatal.
What is becoming a well-known offender in this department is an artificial sweetener called xylitol. This is the sweetener that is often found in sugar-free gum, mints, and some brands of peanut butter.
Xylitol is far worse for your dog than Splenda. It can cause tremors, seizures, and overall weakness within 30 minutes after consumption. Liver failure can also occur, which will eventually end in the death of the dog.
There are plenty of other artificial sweeteners out there, but xylitol is most famous for being harmful to dogs.
But this isn’t to say any of them is advisable, or a good idea to feed your dog. Always be sure that you know the ingredients of what you’re giving your dog.
What is Splenda?
Splenda is a worldwide brand of sucralose.
Sucralose is a sugar substitute, which boasts lower calories than sugar while being sweeter than sugar (meaning you don’t need as much of it.)
Sucralose is the result of replacing atoms found in sugar with atoms found in chlorine. Much of it can’t be digested and will pass through the system taking its calories with it. It is used in low-calorie foods and beverages around the world.
Studies show that it’s a safe artificial sweetener to consume. Still, as anything artificial, some have doubts about how safe it is as far as long-term effects go.
The same rules don’t apply between dogs and humans as far as what we eat goes. What we can handle comfortably, they can’t. What they can handle comfortably, we can’t.
Few foods cross the threshold between human and dog safely. The practice of mass-production, the addition of chemicals to replace natural ingredients, and other additives makes it a risk to give dogs anything that isn’t purposefully meant for a dog to consume.
Read the List of Ingredients
Yes, most of us pay no attention to the list of ingredients on the package or box of anything we consume.
But even with things that might seem obvious, like peanut butter, for example, should be checked out before feeding it to your dog.
We’re fortunate enough to live in a period of time where brands must include ingredients on the packages of our food, so, if not for yourself, check out what’s in the food for the sake of your dog. Especially if you’re prone to give your dog a bite of whatever you’re eating from time to time.
What Foods have Sucralose (Splenda) in It?
Here are a handful of items that can have sucralose as an ingredient to replace sugar.
Please bear in mind that this isn’t a hit list of things you shouldn’t eat or drink. There isn’t anything wrong with these products as far as humans are concerned, but are different items you’ll want to be careful with around your dog.
- Cheesecake
- Animal Crackers
- Chocolate Chips
- Oatmeal
- Peanut butter
- Ice-cream
- Chocolate Milk
- Many Different Arizona Beverages
- Diet V8
- Several Different Brands of Coffee Based Drinks
- Many Different Juice Products
- Gatorade
- Flavored Soy Milk
- Kool-Aid Jammers and Tropical Punch
- Lemonade and Iced Tea
- Many Brands of Diet Beverages
- Diet Bars
- Protein Shakes or Powders
- Sugar-Free Syrups
- Salad Dressings
- Sugar-Free Candies
- Kettlecorn Popcorn
- Sugar-free jellies
This list is just to show you the variety of products out there contain this particular artificial sweetener that causes discomfort to your dog.
You may check out any one of these items and find that sugar is used rather than an artificial sweetener, but this will differ from brand to brand and from product to product.
This list could be much larger if I wanted to cover every food or beverage using sucralose. But just think of how large this list would be if I included other forms of artificial sweetener!
How to Keep Your Dog Safe from Artificial Sweeteners
The first approach (and safest) is to refrain from feeding your dog anything that isn’t made to be eaten by anything but dogs.
By not giving any access to human food, you eliminate the concerns instantly, followed by careful storage of food and drinks. This isn’t just the safest approach, but it is the easiest.
The next thing that you can do is, as stated above. Know exactly what’s in the food, and whether or not it can be harmful to your dog.
This goes for any ingredient. If you read down the list of ingredients and find words that you either can’t pronounce or don’t have a clue what it is, don’t give it to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Splenda In a Home-Made Recipe?
If you are making something that is not harmful to your dog by any other ingredient, and the recipe calls for a small amount of Splenda, it should be fine in small quantities.
It isn’t advisable, but it won’t poison your dog. It would be wise to keep an eye on your dog and make sure that his behavior hasn’t changed.
Conclusion
Lots of people think that dogs can eat just about everything, and they often do have a large menu of things they’re willing to eat.
But when it comes down to food and drink made for people, the list of things that a dog can or should eat gets narrow, especially when it comes down to manufactured foods.
Never assume that a particular food is safe for your dog before checking out the entire list of ingredients.
Even conducting a simple Google search can quickly tell you whether or not you’re about to feed something to your dog that can cause harm.
But, why do dogs eat charcoal?
You’ll find more Dog Nutrition Questions in the links below:
