Most people love a stack of pancakes drenched in maple syrup for breakfast. If you have a dog, it is likely that he will be waiting beneath the table waiting for a bite. Pancakes should be safe, depending on the ingredients used, but can dogs eat maple syrup? Is maple syrup safe for dogs to eat?

It is safe for dogs to consume maple syrup as long as it is pure and only given in small amounts every so often. However, consuming too much of this sweetener over time can result in health problems like diabetes and obesity. Sweet food can also contribute to dental damage in dogs, just like it can in humans.

In this article we will cover maple syrup and how it is made, how much is safe for dogs to eat, and what you should do if your dogs manages to eat too much maple syrup and is not feeling well. It is important to note that when we talk about maple syrup, we are referring to 100% natural maple syrup and not ones with added corn syrup and artificial flavorings.

How is Maple Syrup Made?

Drilling a tap hole into a maple tree is the first step in the procedure. A spout is placed to route the sap to a bucket, tubing, or a central collection area using a vacuum pump. The sap can also be sent to a huge collection tank at the sugar house.

After being removed from the storage tanks, the sap is run through a reverse osmosis machine, which removes some of the water before boiling the sap. The sugarhouse cupolas and steam stacks emit clouds of delicious, maple-scented steam as a result of the evaporation process. The boiling takes place in an evaporator.

A firebox, is topped with stainless steel pans, and inside is a roaring fire made of either wood or oil. The sap thickens as the water in it evaporates. The syrup is ready to be removed from the pan when the thermometer inside hits 219 degrees. Even though it appears to be the finished product, it still needs to be filtered, the density corrected, and the flavor and color assessed.

Can Maple Syrup Be Good For Dogs?

While maple syrup has a lot of sugar, it also has a lot of beneficial ingredients. If you can manage the amount, your dog may benefit from eating maple syrup occasionally. The following are some of maple syrup's best qualities:

Zinc

Maple syrup has a high zinc content. This critical mineral is found all throughout your dog's body and is important for their sense of smell and taste. It also supports their immune system, metabolism, and wound healing.

Manganese

Manganese affects how your dog digests and absorbs the protein and carbohydrates in their food. Additionally, it is necessary for blood clotting, the formation of bones, connective tissue, and sex hormones. Additionally, it is essential for healthy nerve and brain activity.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential to several processes in the body of your dog. It is essential for the development of DNA, the generation of red blood cells, and neuronal activity. B12 is found is abundant amounts in natural maple syrup and is one of the greatest benefits for your dog.

Is Maple Syrup Bad For Dogs? 3 Harmful Ingredients

Natural maple syrup is healthy for your dog in small amounts, but given excessively can cause issues. Sugar is the main culprit, but processed maple syrups that aren't 100% natural can cause issues as well. 3 ingredients in maple syrup that can harm your dog are:

Sugar

Maple syrup contains a high amount of sugar and is the major issue with feeding it to your dog. Sugar can cause your dog to become obese as well as other health issues including diabetes and tooth damage. Diabetes can cause frequent urination, excessive thirst, and an increase in appetite.

Xylitol

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. It is commonly used in sugar-free versions of processed maple syrup. Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia minutes after ingestion in dogs. It can be lethal to your pet even in little doses. Always check the ingredients of any maple syrup that you let your dog eat.

Preservatives & Additives

There is a chance that the maple syrup you buy will hurt your dog if it is made with chemicals and unnatural components. They include colours, preservatives, and other substances that can trigger an allergic reaction in your pet. Only feed your dog 100% natural maple syrup - and in moderation.

How To Safely Feed Your Dog Maple Syrup

You can give your dog tiny amounts of real maple syrup that is free of dangerous artificial sweeteners and preservatives. In moderation, real maple syrup is healthy for dogs and contains beneficial nutrients. As a dog treat, you can give it to your pet on a spoon, or you can combine it with a protein, like peanut butter.

If you want to spice up your dogs regular food, a drizzle of maple syrup can be added - but you should never give your dog more than one tablespoon at a time - ideally only once per week. Too much maple syrup will upset your dog's stomach and can cause health issues.

Review: Can Dogs Eat Maple Syrup?

Although maple syrup has certain health benefits, your dog could get all the nutrients they need from their regular diet or a less sweet treat. It's important to note that the maple syrup we're talking about is natural. Artificial maple syrups have unhealthy chemicals that can harm your dog.

A sugar substitute called xylitol, which is present in certain artificial maple syrups, is poisonous to dogs. If your dog isn't treated for xylitol poisoning, even a small amount of the sweetener can be lethal. Before giving your dog a new food, always read the ingredients.

With that being said, it is safe to give your dog a small amount of maple syrup every once in a while to spice up their food or as a treat. If you give your dog maple syrup and he experience a negative reaction, contact your veterinarian immediately.