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No, fruit snacks are not safe for dogs. Although fruit snacks are not toxic to dogs, they still contain a lot of sugar and calories and can be unhealthy. In fact, these sweet treats contain nothing but preservatives, artificial flavors, and sweeteners, which are linked with various health issues in dogs, including tooth decay, cardiovascular problems, inflammation, diabetes, and obesity.

Fruit Snacks
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caution

Caution: This food is generally considered risky by the veterinary community. Dogs should not eat this food and should be monitored for adverse effects.

Food Safety  Exercise caution, avoid feeding
Nutritional Issues  High sugar, calories
Potential Risks  Dental decay, obesity, gum disease
Poisoning Symptoms Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach problems
Every dog is different. For specific feeding guidelines, including quantities and beneficial foods that are best for your dog, please consult your vet.

How Many Fruit Snacks are Unsafe for Dogs?

While a single fruit snack won’t necessarily harm your dog, an entire bag, on the other hand, can be dangerous. A single fruit snack contains around three teaspoons or 11 grams of sugar. This is an excessively high amount. Feeding this to your dog daily can lead to obesity, weight gain, and a host of other long-term health issues.

What Makes Fruit Snacks Unsafe for Dogs?

Generally, the high-fructose corn syrup and sugar inside fruit snacks make them unsafe for dogs. Ultimately, feeding your dog too many sugary treats can lead to multiple health problems in the future.

What to do if Your Dog Eats Too Many Fruit Snacks

When your dog inadvertently eats a fruit snack, the best course of action is to remove the remaining snack and monitor your dog for the next few hours. Take it to the veterinarian immediately for an examination if you see any unusual symptoms.

Common Fruit Snacks Ingredients

  • Corn Syrup-High fructose corn syrup contains a ton of sugar and can be unhealthy for dogs.
  • Fruit concentrates-Fruit concentrates give fruit snacks their fruity flavor. They aren’t toxic for dogs.
  • Lactic acid-Lactic acid is an important chemical to control microbial growth in dogs.
  • Gelatin-Gelatin is relatively safe for dogs and can be found in various types of dog food.
  • Artificial flavoring-Preferably it would be wise to avoid feeding your dog foods with high amounts of artificial flavorings.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • While a single fruit snack will be okay as an occasional treat, making it a part of your dog’s daily diet will lead to obesity, dental problems, and more due to the presence of sugar and fructose.

  • If you feed your dog too many fruit snacks in one go, the worst thing that will happen is that your canine companion will experience diarrhea, vomiting, and an upset stomach.

  • The high amounts of sugar and presence of high-fructose corn syrup inside fruit snacks make them an unhealthy treat for dogs.

About the Writer
Dan Greco , Dog Dad

Having been a dog dad for 5 years, I know how hard it is to make sure your dog gets the right nutrients and stays away from hazardous foods. With the help of a veterinarian who specializes in nutrition, I created this blog to help dog owners quickly access food information they need.

photo of vet holding a pup
About the Contributor
Dr. Hillary Wolfe , Veterinarian & Certified Food Therapist

Dr. Wolfe holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University and holds nutrition certifications from the NAVC and CIVT. Her business, Tula Veterinary Nutrition, hosts online courses that teach owners how to cook for their pet for optimal health and longevity. Follow her on Instagram at @doctorwolfe.dvm for dog nutrition tips, recipes and insights.