Yes, Stevia is safe for dogs to consume, but in large quantities, it can cause diarrhea." While dogs should not have any sweets containing sugar, or natural, or artificial sweeteners, you do not have to worry if your beloved puppy gets into your stevia sweets stash.
When it comes to our furry friends, their health and well-being are of utmost importance. As responsible dog owners, we strive to provide them with a balanced and nutritious diet. However, with the rise in popularity of alternative sweeteners, such as stevia , it's natural to wonder whether these options are safe for our canine companions. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of stevia and explore whether dogs can safely enjoy this sweet substitute.
What is Stevia?
Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia plant. It is known for its intense sweetness, often used as a calorie-free alternative to sugar. Stevia contains compounds called steviol glycosides, which are responsible for its sweet taste.
What is the safest form of Stevia?
- Stevioside
The FDA approved only the purified form of Stevia, called stevioside, as safe to use. Products considered safe contain words in their ingredient list such as stevia extract or stevia.
- Stevia powder
Natural Stevia powder is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia plant. It is made by drying and grinding the leaves into a fine powder. Stevia has gained popularity as a calorie-free alternative to sugar due to its intense sweetness.
Can Dogs Taste Sweetness?
Before we dive into the safety aspects, it's important to note that dogs have a different taste profile compared to humans. While we find sweetness pleasurable, dogs lack the same number of taste buds dedicated to detecting sweet flavors. Their taste buds are primarily geared toward detecting savory and meaty flavors. However, this doesn't mean that dogs are completely immune to the taste of sweetness.
Is Stevia Safe for Dogs?
When it comes to the safety of stevia for dogs, the research is limited. Stevia is generally considered safe for human consumption, and it has been approved by regulatory bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . However, the effects of stevia on dogs' health are not yet well-documented.
Benefits of Stevia
Stevia is non-caloric and a wise choice for anyone worried about obesity or dental health. In humans it also boasts apparent anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Among sweeteners, it reduces the chances of some cancers, obesity, dental disease and other common diseases. In humans and dogs, stevia has shown antihypertensive benefits.
At present stevia doesn't have any clinical uses to treat illness in dogs and so you should consult your veterinarian before introducing it into your dog's diet.
Risks of Stevia for Dogs
Gastrointestinal Upset: Dogs have sensitive digestive systems, and introducing new substances into their diet can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal upset. Some dogs may experience diarrhea or vomiting if they consume excessive amounts of stevia or if their system is particularly sensitive to it.
Toxicity: While stevia is generally safe for humans, certain stevia products may contain additives or fillers that can be toxic to dogs. It's crucial to avoid stevia products that contain xylitol, as this sweetener is highly toxic to dogs and can cause a rapid and severe drop in blood sugar levels.
Can dogs eat Stevia in yogurt?
This is a naturally produced sweetener from the stevia plant. Stevia is safe for dogs to consume, but in large quantities, it can cause diarrhea.
Can dogs eat peanut butter with Stevia?
Many processed peanut butter contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that's highly toxic to dogs. Opt for all-natural peanut butter, and read the label carefully before cooking. Many other sweeteners, such as stevia, aspartame, and saccharin, are considered safe for dogs in small quantities.
Can dogs have Monk fruit?
Monk fruit sweetener – Monk fruit, also known as lo han guo, is a small, round fruit grown in Southeast Asia. The fruit extract has 150-200 times the sweetness of sugar without the calories, making it a popular choice for those seeking a natural alternative to sugar. The monk fruit plant is not toxic to pets.
Can dogs eat Erythritol?
We've broken down the most common artificial sweeteners on the market and their effects on pets: Erythritol – This sugar alcohol is industrially produced, and its versatility makes it a popular choice for followers of low-carb and keto diets . Studies have found erythritol is safe for dogs.
Can dogs have Allulose?
In dogs, oral administration of a high dose of D-allulose (1 and 4 g/kg) has been shown to cause only self-limiting gastrointestinal symptoms and a transient rise in plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. These results suggested that a single-dose administration of D-allulose does not cause acute toxicity in dogs.
Drawbacks to Stevia for Dogs
In excessive amounts, stevia can cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Many stevia sweeteners balance the sweetness with dextrose and other sugars or sugar alcohols, like erythritol. Because dogs don't absorb many of these easily in the intestines, they can draw water into the gut, causing osmotic diarrhea. Other signs may occur, including nausea, abdominal pain, or vomiting.
The diarrhea is temporary and will subside as the dog passes the offending compounds. If your dog shows signs, monitor their behavior and provide fresh water to ensure they stay hydrated. Fortunately, dogs need to ingest a substantial amount of stevia to show signs, so yours will most likely not have issues if they only enjoyed a taste of food containing the sweetener.
Allergic reactions may also be possible with any food stuff so monitor for any changes in your dog's health after eating stevia.
Conclusion
While stevia is non-toxic for dogs and won't do any more harm than an upset stomach, it doesn't have any real beneficial properties either. If your dog does ingest a small amount of stevia, it'll likely be perfectly fine, and many dog treats contain stevia in their ingredients. The key is moderation.
For bulk Stevia powder, please contact us by email: info@hjagrifeed.com
References: https://foodinsight.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-stevia-sweeteners/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/vets-corner/artificial-sweetener-safety- for-dogs/
https://www.westparkanimalhospital.com/blog/artificial-sweeteners-and-pets/
https://nutritionstudies.org/is-stevia-the-safest-sweetener/
