Stevia’s reputation as a more “natural” alternative to other lab-made artificial sweeteners has led to a meteoric rise in its popularity over the past few years, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Stevia, which is thirty times sweeter than regular sugar and has no impact on blood sugar, is quickly replacing artificial sweeteners in many consumer products around the world.
The PureCircle Stevia Institute claims that the plant-based sweetener can now be found in over 14,000 products.
But is adding stevia to your dog’s food a good idea?
OK, then, let’s find out, but first…
What is Stevia?
Stevia, also known as sweet leaf or candy leaf, is an herb belonging to the chrysanthemum family, a subgroup of the Asteraceae (sunflower) family.
The subtropical and tropical regions of Brazil and Paraguay are its natural habitats, but it can be grown successfully in other regions.
Though Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, and South America have a shorter (though still relatively long) history of stevia use as a food sweetener, the Paraguayans have been using the herb for thousands of years.
Rebaudioside A and Stevioside are the primary compounds responsible for the sweetness of this herb.
The sweetest part of stevia is a compound called rebaudioside A, which is typically extracted and used in stevia-based powders and sweeteners.
Many people dislike stevia because of its bitter aftertaste, which comes from stevioside, the part of the plant that is the least sweet or bitter.
Perhaps most intriguingly, it contains all of stevia’s most lauded health benefits in one convenient package.
Is Stevia Safe For Dogs?
To answer your question, stevia is used in many different kinds of dog food because it is considered safe for canines.
It’s much less dangerous for dogs than xylitol and other natural sugar substitutes.
Stevia is a better and healthier alternative to sugar for dogs for a number of reasons.
To start, its sweetness is comparable to that of sugar, but it has a fraction of the calories. The glycemic index of the plant-based sweetener is 0, the lowest possible value.
Due to Stevia’s natural nature, it can be safely used in a wide range of dog foods without causing any negative effects.
Moderation is Key
Use stevia with caution, but know that it is safe for canines.
Excessive consumption of the natural sweetener can lead to osmotic diarrhea and other digestive side effects in dogs.
Stevia’s molecules may cause your dog to experience osmotic diarrhea by pulling water from his body and dumping it into his colon. If your dog has a history of loose stools, this could be a problem.
Also, the healthy microorganisms and bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract are essential to the digestion process.
Diarrhea can result if these microorganisms have their delicate balance disrupted by ingesting more sugar than they’re used to.
Is Stevia Bad For Dogs?
The stevia plant is used to make a sugar substitute called stevia. You can find it in a wide variety of foods and drinks. Mom doesn’t like it because she claims it’s too sweet and has an unpleasant aftertaste. Though she avoids purchasing foods containing stevia, she unwittingly bought some because she loves coconut yogurt. So Mom went online to find out…
Is Stevia Ok For Dogs?
Generally speaking, the answer is yes. Dogs can safely consume stevia, but excessive consumption can lead to diarrhea. However, stevia can be found in some of the healthiest foods for humans. For “sharing purposes” Mom says she’s not buying any new people food with stevia as an ingredient, however. We only need a hint of it in our coconut yogurt.
What Artificial Sweeteners Are Bad For Dogs?
Sugar and other sweetener alternatives are toxic to dogs. There is no “healthy” amount of sugar for a dog to consume.
Also, DO NOT let your dog sample or eat any of the food from your pantry, refrigerator, or counter tops without first reading the ingredients.
Mom goes the extra mile by trying to avoid bringing harmful foods into the house, and she always makes sure they are out of our reach (we’re not as good at counter surfing as our Angel Sister Sable was, so Mom is relieved).
Note of Urgency…Inspect Your Peanut Butter! These days, you can even find peanut butter with some very odd ingredients. Choose organic and always read the ingredients. Do some research or give your vet a call if you have any doubts about the safety of the ingredients you plan to feed your dog.
Xylitol is Highly TOXIC to Dogs!
Many “sugar-free” products, including ice cream, baked goods, yogurt, juice, toothpaste, mints, gum, candles, and more, use Xylitol, a naturally occurring sweetener. If a dog eats too much xylitol, it could be fatal. Seizures, liver failure, and death can all result from exposure to even trace amounts of Xylitol. If you want to be EXTRA safe, don’t even keep Xylitol in your house.
Aspartame
The blue packet in the sweetener is the aspartame. Minor gastrointestinal issues are the worst that could happen to your dog, but he or she will be fine otherwise. If you want to keep your dog healthy, NEVER give them Aspartame.
Saccharin
The “pink packet” in the sweetener container contains saccharin. However, dogs may experience gastrointestinal distress if they consume sugary foods or drinks. No studies on pets’ long-term safety have been conducted. Saccharin is generally NOT recommended for canines.
Erythritol
Although this low-calorie sugar alcohol is generally safe for dogs, excessive consumption could cause stomach upset. Once again, Erythritol for Dogs should be avoided at all costs.
Sucralose
Sweetener containers often feature a “yellow packet” of sucralose, which is generally safe but has been linked to diarrhea in dogs. Sucralose should be avoided whenever possible in canine diets.
Monk Fruit
Is very similar to Stevia and can be given to canines with confidence. And yet, there’s zero justification for feeding Monk Fruit to a dog.
Why Stevia is a Better Sweetener for Dogs
You should consider using stevia instead of regular table sugar or artificial sweeteners when cooking for your dog.
Stevia, unlike sugar (which has a glycemic index of 63), causes no rise in your dog’s blood sugar levels after being consumed.
Causing weight gain in dogs, sugar and other calorically dense artificial sweeteners have gained a bad reputation.
The use of stevia, which has been shown to increase fullness without adding calories, is becoming increasingly popular.
Moreover, previous studies show that stevia has many other health benefits that may be good for your dog.
I. It may help lower cholesterol levels
One study found that stevia reduced oxidized LDL cholesterol (the bad kind of cholesterol) in mice, and the results were published in the International Journal of Obesity in 2010.
If stevia has the same effect on dogs as it does on humans, it may help reduce your dog’s risk of cardiovascular disease.
II. Stevia may also help control diabetes in dogs
A gram of maize starch (placebo) was administered to one group in a previous clinical trial, while one group took a gram of stevioside with meals.
The’stevioside’ group saw a 18% decrease in blood glucose compared to the’maize starch placebo’ group.
Third, stevia’s potential anti-inflammatory effects and potential role in immune regulation and cancer prevention have been suggested by other studies.
The Best Type of Stevia to Use in Your Dog Food
You should know that not all stevia-based products are the same, just like any other product on the market.
Raw stevia leaves are the best way to ensure your dog or cat receives all the benefits the plant has to offer.
Potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamin C, and beta-carotene are just some of the many vitamins and minerals found in its natural state.
There are alternative options worth considering if you are unable to obtain the raw form, including the following:
I. Dried Stevia Leaves
Most of these are completely natural and unaltered. Whole stevia leaves from GreenGreenStevia are excellent.
II. Tinctures
In a nutshell, these are leaf-extract liquid stevia.
To achieve a harmonious flavor, they may be infused with trace amounts of natural flavorings.
III. Stevia Extract Powder
The rebaudioside, the plant’s sweetest component, is typically extracted to create these most common stevia forms.
During processing, they go through a variety of steps, such as bleaching and slight chemical alterations to balance their flavors, so it’s important to check the label to know exactly what you’re getting.
In Summary – Be a Label Reader!
Because of its all-natural composition, stevia can be used as a suitable substitute for artificial sweeteners.
Even though it is generally safe for canines, excessive consumption can lead to gastrointestinal distress.
If you cook for your dog, don’t forget to include it in small amounts. Also, before making a stevia purchase, check the label to make sure you know exactly what’s in it and how it was processed.