Can Dogs Have Stevia? What You Need To Know

If sugar is bad for dogs, can dogs have Stevia? Read this guide before you give your dog food sweetened with Stevia.

As we become more health conscious, it makes sense for us to wonder if we can share these snacks and foods with our furry friends. But before you do, read this complete guide!

stevia sweetener in a bowl and leaves around it.

For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating Stevia.

What Is Stevia

When it comes to healthy sugar alternatives, Stevia is one of the most popular ones you’ll find. People use it in lots of sugar-free foods in order to control blood glucose levels. And before we look at whether it’s a good idea to give it to your four-legged friend, it’s important that we understand more about this popular artificial sweetener.

Stevia is a natural sweetener that is derived from the leaves of the South American plant Stevia rebaudiana (Asteraceae). There are chemical compounds in the leaves called Steviol glycosides that make it taste sweet without having calories or causing blood sugar spikes.

The Stevia plant grows naturally in South America and you’ll find it used as a natural alternative to sugar. It has the same sweet taste but prevents the rapid release of insulin into your body.

People on keto or low-carb diets use Stevia to replace table sugar. But what about dogs? Can they get the same benefits and control their sugar intake while eating sweet foods if they eat Stevia instead?

dog in front of a bowl of stevia sweetener and leaves.

Is Stevia Safe For Dogs

Yes, Stevia is safe for your furry friend. In fact, you might find Stevia in the ingredient list in a lot of dog food products.

It’s the safest sugar substitute that you’ll find. For sweeter treats, it’s a better option than sugar. This is because it has a glycemic index of 0. This means it affects your dog’s blood sugar the same way meat or other foods without carbs do.

It’s so safe for pups that it’s a common ingredient in dog toothpaste.

If your dog likes sweet things, Stevia is a natural sugar substitute you can feel good about giving to your dog.

Other Sugar Substitutes And Dogs

In fact, you should probably stick to just Stevia when you’re looking for a popular sugar substitute that is safe for dogs.

Sucralose is sold under the brand name Splenda and even though it’s not toxic to dogs, it’s still not a good idea to let your dogs eat food with it as an ingredient. This is because if they eat too much of it, it could give them an upset stomach.

Monk fruit sweetener is safe for dogs and a good alternative to Stevia.

Xylitol, however, is definitely not safe for dogs to eat. In fact, dogs that eat it could get xylitol poisoning. Even though xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol, it’s unsafe for dogs.

Symptoms of xylitol poisoning include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure, or even death.

If you think your dog ate xylitol, call the Pet Poison Helpline 24/7 at 800-213-6680.

What Happens If Dogs Eat Too Much Stevia

Even though Stevia is pretty safe for dogs, eating too many dog products that are sweetened with it could still give your pup an upset stomach, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.

If you have any questions about something your dog ate, either call your veterinarian or the ASPCA animal poison control center at (888) 426-4435.

Remember, small amounts of Stevia is totally safe. Eating large amounts of it might give your pet gastrointestinal upset, but they will probably be ok.

Benefits of Stevia For Dogs

Stevia is better for dogs than sugar. In fact, there are quite a few health benefits of using Stevia instead of sugar to make dog products (like treats) at home.

It has the following vitamins and minerals:

Beta-Carotene
Calcium
Iron
Magnesium
Potassium
Zinc
Vitamin C

Lowers Risk of Diabetes

Giving your dog Stevia instead of table sugar is good for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. When your dog’s blood sugar isn’t spiking, they will be at lower risk of developing diabetes later on in life.

Lowers Cholesterol Numbers

It could also have a positive effect on your dog’s heart health. It can help lower cholesterol numbers and lower blood pressure.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

This all-natural sweetener also has anti-inflammatory properties and could play a critical role in modulating the immune system and warding off cancer.

How To Give Stevia To Your Dog Safely

So, how do you safely sweeten dog food with Stevia? Well, raw green Stevia leaves are one way! The raw leaf from the Stevia plant is completely safe for dogs to consume, and it gives your furry friend access to all the benefits of the plant.

Dog owners, you can also sweeten homemade treats with Sweet Drops. This is basically liquid Stevia and really easy to use.

Or make sweet treats at home with Stevia extract powder. In fact, you can use it to make homemade peanut butter dog treats.

Final Thoughts

Pet owners, when you want to minimize your dog eating excess calories of sugar, smaller amounts of Stevia can be an excellent replacement. It’s always best to give your dog unsweetened food, but Stevia is a safe alternative for pup-friendly desserts.

More Dog Food Resources

What other human foods are safe for dogs? Here are some more resources about the different types of food dogs can eat:

Find lots of information about human food dogs can eat (and ones they can’t) here on Spoiled Hounds!

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