Jello is a gelatin desert that is a staple at many backyard BBQ’s, especially on the fourth of July. It’s not only delicious, but it is low in calories and can you can make deserts, jello shots, trifles and so much more. You’re probably wondering “can Pugs eat jello” and if so, how much can you feed them?
Can Pugs Eat Jello?
Jello is NOT toxic for dogs, however, it contains artificial ingredients, sugar and other questionable content that is not good for your dog.
A small amount of jello shouldn’t hurt your pooch, but you should’t make it a staple in their regular diet or as a regular treat.
Let’s take a closer look at what jello is, what’s in it and why it you should not feed it to your four-legged friend.
Note: This article is written by someone who owned a Pug for 16 years, not a veterinarian, and shouldn’t be a substitute for professional advice. If your Pug has eaten something potentially dangerous or is showing signs of illness, you should contact your vet immediately!
What Is Jello?
Today we know it as “Jell-O” which is a term that is used to market a broad range of desserts and snacks. Most people refer to jello as the gelatin-based desserts that are sold under the ‘Jell-O” name.
Gelatin consists of sweeteners, artificial colorings, sugar, and other flavorings. This low-calorie dessert comes in several different colors and flavorings from lime, strawberry, grape, apricot, cranberry, cherry lemonade and etc.
Is Gelatin Good For Pugs?
Gelatin is actually made from tendons, and animal by-products, which can be a healthy part of your Pug’s diet.
Why?
Well, it is made from tendons, skin, and other animal-by-products which can help prevent arthritis and improve your dog’s brain health. That being said you need to ensure you’re feeding your dog real gelatin treats, not the store-bought products that are full of sugar, and other harmful chemicals.
Keep reading and I’ll share how to make your own dog friendly Gelatin treats below. First let’s take a closer look at jello and Pugs.
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Jello To Pugs?
NO, commercialized Jell-O contains artificial sweeteners and other harmful ingredients that can put your Pug at risk for heart disease, diabetes, weight gain. Some puddings and jellos contain xylitol which is a dangerous sweetener that can cause pancreatitis in canines.
Xylitol is most commonly found in peanut butter. While it is okay to feed your Pug peanut butter, you need to know which ones are dog-friendly.
Nutritional Facts
One snack cup serving (96g) of raspberry Jello-O gelatin snack:
- Protein: <1 grams
- Calories: 70
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 0 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugars: 16 grams
- Carbohydrates: 17 grams
Even though it is low in calories, it looks like it can be a healthy snack for your pooch. However, the high sugar content makes it very bad for both you and your four-legged friend!
Will Pugs Eat Jello?
It depends, Pugs are normally not picky eaters and will eat anything you eat. However, just because they like eating something doesn’t mean that you should feed it to them.
There are several human foods Pugs just shouldn’t eat. Make sure you know which foods they can safely eat. If you’re unsure about the safety of a certain food, always consult with your veterinarian before adding it to your dog’s diet.
Can Pugs Eat Jello Pudding?
If you’ve purchased some jello pudding from your local grocery store, there’s a good chance that it contains an artificial sweetner called Xylitol. If so, then don’t even think about sharing it with your pooch.
Xylitol is more dangerous than chocolate for dogs because when it is absorbed into a dog’s system it causes the pancreas to release excess amounts of insulin into the bloodstream. This causes a rapid decrease in blood glucose (hypoglycemia) that can cause fatality.
Can Pugs Eat Jello Shots?
No, jello shots usually contain alcohol such as vodka or rum. We already know that jello is bad for Pugs, but so is alcohol. Even if you’ve made alcohol free jello shots for the kids, you should still avoid giving it to your pooch.
Can Pugs Eat Strawberry Jello?
Fresh strawberries are good for Pugs, but when it comes to strawberry jello, you should avoid feeding it to your dogs. Strawberry jello contains disodium, phosphate, sugar, artificial flavor, gelatin, sodium citrate, adipic acid, and red dye.
None of those ingredients are beneficial for your pooch!
Can Pugs Eat Orange Jello?
Oranges themselves are a great healthy snack option for Pugs. But orange jello is bad for canines and it does not have any real fruits or benefits. If you do give your Pug a taste, make sure you make it very small and don’t get into the habit of sharing your bowl of Jello with them, regardless of what flavor you’re eating.
Can Pugs Eat Lime Jello?
No, limes and lime flavored jello is not good for your pooch. Like all store-bought jellos, it is high in sugar and contains harmful ingredients that can be toxic to your dog.
If you do feed your dog jello, make sure you buy the sugar-free jello, which is still a no, no but somewhat safer for your dog.
Can Pugs Eat Sugar-Free Jello?
No, even though sugar-free does not contain Xylitol, it still should not be fed to a dog. Most people tend to believe that sugar-free food does not contain sugars, but this can’t be far from the truth.
It may be labeled “sugar-free” but it still has artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame, sucralose and etc that are not safe for your pooch.
What About Jello Salad?
No, it’s easy to think that Jell-O salad would be good for you, after all, who doesn’t love a healthy salad. However, Jell-O salad is usually a composition of cottage cheese, fruit, nuts, jello, pickled vegetables, and mayonnaise.
There are literally tons of different ways to make it, so who knows what it could have in it. If you find yourself eating it at your next picnic, make sure you don’t share it with your Pug.
How To Make Gelatin For Your Pug
As mentioned above, gelatin is beneficial for your dog, as it contains amino acids that can aid in healthy joints, skin, and hair. If your pup enjoys eating jello, then take the time to make them some homemade dog friendly gelatin that won’t upset their tummy.
Here’s a simple homemade gelatin recipe you can use for dog treats that won’t upset their tummy.
Ingredients
- 2tbs Unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 Cup Hot Water
- 1/2 Cup Cold Water
Flavoring Options to Choose From (pick one)
Like jello, pet owners can choose from a variety of flavors for their four-legged friends.
Pumpkin & Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
Dog Treats
- 2 Cups water
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of your dog’s favorite treats
Broth & Parsley
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 1 Cup low sodium broth
Directions
Pour the gelatin in the bowl with cold water. Next, add hot water and mix until the gelatin is completely dissolved, and add the flavor of your choice. (I recommend coconut or pumpkin)
Finally pour even amounts of the mixture into ice trays and allow it to chill overnight. Once chilled you can safely give it to your Pug as a special treat.
Remember, homemade gelatin or any other treats should not consume more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet.
My Pug Ate Jello, What Should I Do?
It’s a scary thing when your Pug eats something they shouldn’t, but there’s not need to panic. Hopefully, your family eats sugar free Jello, since it doesn’t contain Xylitol, if it does contain Xylitol, there’s likely still no need for panic.
If your dog managed to eat a small piece or lick the top of a jello cup, they should be fine. There’s a good chance that it will just pass right through.
However, if your Pug managed to get several Jello-cups that the kids left lying around in the house, you’ll want to take a look at the ingredient list. If the Jello contains Xylitol, it should be clearly marked on the packaging.
If it does contain Xylitol, take your pooch to the nearest emergency hospital for immediate treatment. Don’t forget to take the empty jello container your dog ate as your veterinarian will want to know what type they ate.
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Jello
While gelatin is not toxic to dogs, there are no health benefits to feed it to your Pug. As a pet owner, you want to feed your Pug the right foods that will develop good eating habits and keep your pet healthy.
Pugs have enough health problems and don’t need to be fed foods that can trigger unwanted health issues. With a healthy diet, exercise, and regular checkups, your pooch can bring you and your family years of loyal companionship.
References And Further Reading
Live Science – Michael Dhar – What Is Jell-O
VCA – Xylitol Toxicity In Dogs