You aren’t the only one drooling at the thought of sweet, sticky pancakes drizzled with maple syrup; Rover can smell the syrup even while he sleeps.
Can dogs consume maple syrup, and if so, how much is safe?
Learn if maple syrup is a healthy reward for your dog.
Is Maple Syrup Safe For Dogs?
Dogs can safely consume small amounts of natural or pure maple syrup, but problems arise when artificial maple syrup containing xylitol or other sweeteners is fed to canines.
As xylitol is fatal to dogs, it’s crucial to look for it in the ingredients list.
The real question is not whether or not dogs can consume maple syrup, but whether or not they should. Although a dog may be able to digest a certain food, that doesn’t mean it’s good for them to.
Sugar has devastating effects on a dog’s weight and dental health, but maple syrup does contain essential zinc and manganese.
Before we get into the benefits and drawbacks, though, what exactly is maple syrup?
What Is Maple Syrup?
Sap from the maple tree is what we use to make maple syrup. Using a tap drilled into the trunk of a living maple tree, it is harvested. Maple syrup is made by collecting the sap that flows when a tap is opened, then drying it down to concentrate it.
Concentration raises the sugar content from 2% to an astounding 66%. The health implications are obvious.
In the spring, starch in sap is broken down into sugars. Native North Americans gathered the data and later shared it with European settlers. The province of Quebec in Canada is responsible for producing 70% of the world’s supply of maple syrup.
Syrup originally referred to a thick, sweet liquid that was popular in the late 14th century. In its original form, “sirop” referred to a sweetened beverage in Old French.
Many commercial alternatives successfully imitate maple syrup. They cost less because they don’t contain as much maple sap and instead use ingredients like sugar or stevia.
Any syrup other than “pure” maple syrup or “pancake syrup” is likely to contain added sugars.
Does Maple Syrup Have Health Benefits?
Since it comes from trees, you would think that maple syrup would be good for you, right? The answer is yes!
However, pure maple syrup is rich in minerals and antioxidants but low in vitamins. It’s important to use 100% pure maple syrup for optimal results. Some of the ingredients in maple syrup are:
| Manganese | Pure maple syrup contains up to 33% of the manganese a human needs in just one tablespoon. Vital for healthy bones, connective tissue, and hormone production, manganese is often overlooked. |
| Copper | Creates usable energy and promotes healthy brain growth. |
| Calcium | Important for healthy teeth, nails, and bones. |
| Zinc | Helps over a hundred enzymes do their job, which includes boosting the immune system. |
| Iron | Important in creating healthy red blood cells. |
| Magnesium | Facilitates proper nerve and muscle operation. |
| Potassium | Facilitates normal functioning of the nervous system, cellular fluid, and muscle contractions. |
Antioxidant support
Maple syrup, like many plant extracts, is high in antioxidants, which protect cells from free radical damage. It’s great to have maple syrup on our side against the aging process and diseases like cancer, which are thought to be caused by antioxidants.
It May Lower Cholesterol
The cholesterol-lowering and Alzheimer’s disease-preventative effects of maple syrup have been studied in animals. Despite the preliminary nature of these studies, this is very promising for both humans and their canine companions.
Is Maple Syrup Bad for My Dog?
The high sugar content of maple syrup is the main drawback to giving it to your pet. Obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay are just a few of the health problems that can develop if your dog is fed too much sugar.
Diabetic symptoms include increased thirst, urination, and hunger, as well as weight loss. Following a sugar binge, your pet may exhibit these signs, suggesting a trip to the vet is in order.
It is pure maple syrup that we have in mind here. Many potentially harmful substances can sneak into the ingredients of artificial maple syrup; you’ll have to assess each individual case to determine whether or not it’s safe for your pet.
Xylitol
One component, present in both regular and artificial syrups, can be fatal to your pet and therefore deserves special attention.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in this recipe. Because it causes hypoglycemia so quickly after ingestion, even a small amount of Xylitol can be fatal to your pet.
Besides maple syrup, this ingredient can be found in a wide variety of other household items, including toothpaste.
Obesity
Five-sixths of dog pets in the US are overweight or obese, says the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. A sizable portion of our canine companions are at higher risk for developing conditions like diabetes, cancer, joint damage, and pancreatitis because of our carelessness.
Rapid weight gain is a side effect of feeding maple syrup on a regular basis to a dog, which can significantly diminish their quality of life.
Dental decay
Sugar, like humans, is bad for a dog’s teeth. Broken teeth, bleeding gums, and exposed nerves are all sources of excruciating discomfort.
Due to the variety of tasks that require the use of their mouths, including eating, carrying, and playing, a toothache can be a terrible experience for a dog.
This is a financial burden for dog owners because dental care is not typically covered by insurance.
Diabetes
Obesity and diabetes go hand in hand; diabetes is a chronic condition that requires constant attention. Even though a dog diagnosed with diabetes can live a healthy life, it is best to prevent the disease whenever possible. Because of its high sugar content, maple syrup can increase your dog’s risk of developing diabetes.
Artificial Syrups
Only real maple syrup is safe for your dog, but artificial syrups should be avoided. Before giving any syrup to your dog, make sure there are no harmful ingredients like xylitol listed on the label.
We can and should consume xylitol on a regular basis. However, xylitol is indigestible by dogs and can lead to dangerously low blood sugar, known medically as hypoglycemia. Sugar-free gum and low-calorie ice cream containing xylitol have been linked to the deaths of some dogs.
Syrups, toothpaste, mouthwash, gummy candies, cough medicine, Jell-O, cakes, and biscuits are just some of the places you can find xylitol as a sugar substitute.
Because of this, you should always check the label to see what’s in a product before giving it to your dog.
Other Ingredients
There is a chance that your pet will be harmed if you give it maple syrup made with chemicals and artificial ingredients, as we discussed earlier.
Your pet may have an allergic reaction to the preservatives, dyes, and other ingredients in these products.
How Do I Feed My Dog Maple Syrup?
For the best results, use maple syrup in any homemade treats you make for the target audience.
Maple Oat Puppy Treats
This wonderful recipe was discovered at infinebalance.com. We thought you might enjoy it as much as our dogs do.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of rolled oats with large flakes
- 1.5 liters of rapidly boiling water
- 1.5 teaspoons of honey
- cinnamon, one tablespoon’s worth
- One Tablespoon of Baking Powder
- 2 12 cups of brown rice flour
- 14 cup of flaxseed meal
- quarter of a teaspoon
- 2 ripe, large bananas, mashed
Instructions
- Set the oven temperature to 325 degrees.
- Get yourself two big sheets of parchment paper.
- The rolled oats, flax, and boiling water should be thoroughly combined in a mixing bowl and left to sit for 10 minutes.
- Bananas, maple syrup, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt should be added and thoroughly combined.
- Slowly incorporate the brown rice flour until a sticky, stiff dough is formed.
- Create dough balls about the size of a tablespoon and set them on the baking sheet.
- Keep baking until the cookies are mostly dry, lightly browned on the outside, and crisp when broken, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Put away in a container with a tight lid.
My Dog Ate Maple Syrup, What Should I Do?
Don’t freak out if Lassie snatches up your dropped pancake topped with maple syrup. She’ll probably be fine. In moderate amounts, pure maple syrup is safe for your dog.
Small, bland meals like chicken and rice or sweet potato with turkey should be given to her until the episode passes if you notice any signs of gastrointestinal distress, such as bloating, diarrhea, or vomiting.
It would be more worrisome if the syrup contained xylitol (check the label). Keep an eye out for symptoms of xylitol poisoning in your dog, which include heavy breathing, drooling, tremors, weakness, and collapse.
If you suspect that your dog may have ingested xylitol or anything containing it, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Vets usually want to know how much and what kind of dog you fed, so it’s helpful to have the packaging on hand. Although small dogs are more likely to become poisoned by xylitol, any breed is susceptible.
How Much Maple Syrup Is Safe for Dogs to Eat?
In small amounts, pure maple syrup (i.e., without any additives), is safe to consume.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests that a dog’s daily diet consist of no more than 10% treat-type food and 90% complete dog food. Pure maple syrup contains 10% fructose, which is why it causes rapid weight gain.
When it comes to smaller dogs, a quarter to a half of a spoonful is sufficient, just as it would be with a treat food like peanut butter or cottage cheese. This may not seem like a big deal, but keep in mind that dogs are naturally less demanding than humans.
You can either drizzle some maple syrup over your dog’s main dish or serve it to him on the side. Feeding your dog with a spoon is a wonderful shared experience. Scrubbing your dog’s teeth after brushing them is a good idea if your dog will allow it.
You can also put a small amount of maple syrup in a puzzle toy and give it to your dog that way. This method has been shown to reduce destructive behavior in anxious dogs.
What Foods are Dangerous for Dogs?
We know that xylitol is bad for dogs, and that pure maple syrup won’t hurt them, but are there any other foods that they shouldn’t eat? Some foods that can be harmful to canines include:
| Grapes | Liver and kidney failure can be caused by consuming grapes, raisins, sultanas, and grape juice. |
| Nuts, macadamia | Organ failure can be caused by the toxins found in macadamia nuts. |
| The Nuts About Black Walnuts | There is a mold that thrives on black walnuts and is neurotoxic to dogs. |
| Chocolate | They are unable to metabolize the stimulants in chocolate, leading to organ failure. |
| Nutmeg | Its constituents are responsible for inducing both hallucinations and excruciating stomach upsets. |
| Blaue Käse | Seizures are a potential side effect of the Roquefortine C mold that produces the blue fungus. |
| Alcohol | When consumed by dogs, ethanol poisons them and leads to organ failure. |
| Raw dough | Toxic ethanol is produced as raw dough rises inside a dog’s warm stomach. |
| Hard-Boiled Eggs | Peach, plum, and cherry stones can be fatally poisonous. |
Conclusion
Natural maple syrup is not only good for your pet but also harmless when given in moderation.
If you want to give your pet the benefits it can get from a treat, it is highly recommended that you make one similar to the one we provided. It’s a great alternative to refined sugar because it provides vital nutrients and has fewer calories.
We trust that you have found our investigation into the health benefits of maple syrup for dogs and the accompanying recipe to be both informative and entertaining.