7 Real Reasons Why Dogs Can’t Eat Welch’s Fruit Snacks

Fruit snacks can be tasty. And they’ll help cure your hunger pangs for a bit.

But eating these isn’t safe for your doggo.

If you wonder why, then this article’s for you.

Keep reading to find out:

7 questions vets will ask if your dog ate this.
5 signs of stomach upset this snack causes.
7 real reasons why dogs can’t eat Welch’s Fruit Snacks.
A step-by-step method on what to do if your dog eats a lot.
And many more…

Can dogs eat Welch’s Fruit Snacks?

Dogs can’t eat Welch’s Fruit Snacks. This product is high in sugar, contains grape juice concentrate, and has citric acid. It also contains Vitamin C that dogs don’t need to get from food. Welch’s Fruit Snacks also have coconut oil. Your dog can have an upset stomach and eventually, diabetes.

7 reasons why dogs can’t eat Welch’s Fruit Snacks

#1: High in sugar

Welch’s Fruit Snacks is high in refined sugar.

And if your pooch eats too much it can lead to a lot of problems.

The ASPCA says that sugar is an osmotically active molecule.

This means that when a dog eats a lot, it can cause water to build up in their stomach.

With this, it’s possible that your dog will not be able to drink water.

This condition also leads to an abnormal level of electrolytes in your dog’s body. And this leads to an increase of sodium in their body. Leading to hypernatremia.

According to VetFolio, this is a condition that causes water to shift from inside the cells to the outside of the cell.

This is dangerous as it can result in bleeding and damage to the brain.

But there are more serious problems too much sugar can cause.

#2: It can cause an upset stomach

Dogs Can't Eat Welch's Fruit Snacks Because It Can Cause An Upset Stomach

If your dog gets into sugary candies and eats too much, this results in upset doggy stomachs.

This usually results in vomiting and diarrhea, says Southwind Animal Hospitals.

But dogs will also display these signs:

Gulping.
Lethargy.
Lip licking.
Appetite loss.
Licking the air.

Warning: If your dog displays the signs for a prolonged period, take them to the vet.

Too much vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration.

And this is life-threatening for your pooch.

Your vet will put your dog on Intravenous (IV) fluids. And run tests to find the reason for their upset stomach.

“Aside from sugar, what are other causes of an upset stomach?”

When your dog vomits and poops a lot it’s a reason for concern.

It’s what their body does when it’s trying to correct something inside their stomach.

This usually is:

Digestive health issues.
Eating something not for them.
Imbalance of digestive bacteria.

Home-remedies for upset stomachs

PetMD recommends that dog parents talk to their vet before giving this to their pooch.

The first one is fasting. The vomiting and diarrhea can irritate your dog’s stomach.

This is why vets will often prescribe this. Not giving them food for 12-24 hours can help their digestive tract to heal.

But your dog does need fluids to rehydrate.

Which leads to the next home remedy, ice cubes.

These will help your dog not to drink too much at once. As this can result in even more vomiting.

Give a few of these to your dog a few times, until they’re in the clear.

Lastly, you can give your dog a bland diet. This helps to relieve their stomach.

You can give them some 100% canned pumpkin.

Dog stomachs slowly absorb this. And this will help dogs to recover.

#3: Changes in metabolism

This is another reason why it’s not good for dogs to have too much sugar.

When they have high levels of sugar all the time, it can result in metabolism changes.

According to PetMD, this causes an increase in insulin production. This is a hormone that affects how they process and store sugar.

And too much of it can result in dogs who are:

Obese.
Weaker.
Less active.

It also makes them more prone to diabetes.

Diabetes in dogs

Too much sugar in their system will cause dogs to develop Type II diabetes.

This is also known as diabetes mellitus.

And VCA says that it’s when their body loses the ability to control blood sugar levels.

They also can’t absorb glucose which is the source of energy for the cells.

All of this results in the following:

Increased urination.
Drinking more water.
Excessive and sudden hunger.

Want to know more about diabetes in dogs?

Watch this video to learn about managing it:

#4: It contains grape juice concentrate

You’ve heard it a lot of times. And you’ll probably hear it more after this.

Grapes are toxic for dogs.

They contain theobromine.

This is a substance that dogs cannot digest. Eating this results in a life-threatening condition for them.

MerckVet Manual states it will cause:

Vomiting.
Agitation.
Seizures.
Restlessness.
Fast heartbeat.
Respiratory failure.
Irregular heartbeat.
Hyperthermia (too high temperatures).

The signs will usually appear in 6 to 12 hours from eating it.

And without proper treatment, it’s a condition that results in death.

This is why it’s important to keep your dogs away from Welch’s Fruit Snacks.

Dogs can get affected even if they’ve only ingested 0.000705479 oz/lb (20mg/kg) of theobromine.

“What do I do if my dog gets theobromine poisoning?”

The VEG cautions dog parents to call the emergency vet immediately. Don’t wait until the signs appear before calling.

This makes treatment even more difficult.

You should do this because treating your dog will depend on how much theobromine is in their system.

So prepare to answer the following questions:

How much of it did your dog eat?
What’s your dog’s current weight?
How long has it been since your dog ate it?

Sometimes, emergency vets will instruct you to induce vomiting.

This lessens the theobromine in their system. And your dog doesn’t display a lot of the signs.

But this depends on how much your dog ate.

And you also have to take them to the vet. Especially if they display the signs.

You might also like: Can Dogs Eat Acai Berries? 5 Health Benefits + 3 Dangers

#5: This snack has citric acid

This is the reason why citrus fruits have a tart taste.

They have high levels of citric acid.

Now, it might be fun to see a dog’s reactions after they lick a piece of lemon.

But this acid causes harm to dogs.

Eating a bit of food that contains this acid can cause an upset stomach, says IndyVet Care.

But if they eat a lot, say a big piece of lemon. Or multiple lemons, this can lead to central nervous system depression.

VN says that this is a condition that can lead to:

Kidney failure.
Fast cell death.
Muscle damage.
Multi-organ failure.
Abnormal blood clotting.

But don’t get alarmed, dog parents.

Your dog has to eat a lot of lemons for this to happen.

But don’t make it easier for them to do so. And just leave citrus fruits lying around your countertop.

The same goes for Welch’s Fruit Snacks. It’s not dangerous if your dog only eats a bit. But large amounts are fatal for them.

#6: It can cause Vitamin C excess

Citric acid is different from ascorbic acid or Vitamin C.

They’re both in Welch’s Fruit Snacks. And both are dangerous in large amounts.

Now, your dog’s body produces its own Vitamin C. So they don’t often need to supplement it.

But this is also a very important antioxidant. And it’s possible to let your dog eat food rich in Vitamin C every now and then.

Tufts says that the dose makes the poison. So if dogs have supplements even if they don’t need it, this can result in health problems.

One serious effect of Vitamin C excess is calcium oxalate stones.

Their body gets rid of it through their pee in the form of calcium oxalate.

But when too much builds up in their urinary tract, it causes stones to form.

Warning: Always consult your vet before giving your dog any “natural” supplements. What’s good for humans isn’t always good for dogs.

“What should I do if my dog has calcium oxalate stones?”

The most common sign is that your dog has difficulty peeing. And they have blood in their urine.

Take your dog to the vet. They’ll go through physical examinations.

Your vet can feel the stones if they’re big enough.

Or your dog will have to get an X-ray of their bladder.

VCA describes the 3 techniques vets use for oxalate stones:

The first is, urohydropropulsion. It uses a special catheter method to flush the stones out.

But this is only for small ones.

For the big and uncomfortable stones, your dog will have to have surgery. It’s also a must if there is a lot in your dog’s urinary tract.

Another technique is ultrasonic dissolution. This device uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to break the stones.

This makes them smaller. And makes it easier for your dog to pass them safely.

Note: If your dog had treatment for oxalate stones, take them for urinalysis and bladder X-rays. Do this every 3-6 months.

This will help prevent stones from forming again in your dog’s urinary tract.

You might also want to check out: 13 Reasons Why Your Dog Suddenly Pees On Your Bed + 5 Tips

#7: Contains coconut oil

Many dog parents often apply coconut oil to their fur child’s skin. Or mix it with their food.

In the right dose and with vet advice, this is beneficial for dogs.

According to He althline, it may help with:

Skin problems.
Fur appearance.
Fighting off pests.

But there are also risks to using this on your dog.

For one, coconut oil has a lot of fats. This can cause high cholesterol levels in dogs.

And this study, is a warning for every dog parent.

Feeding dogs a diet supplemented with coconut oil results in:

Decline of RBC levels.
Abnormal liver function.
RBCs more likely to get damaged.

The researchers fed the dogs (beagles and greyhounds) for 12 weeks.

By day 3, cholesterol levels shot up. And low RBC count started by week 6.

The researchers stopped the diet. And 4 weeks after, red blood cell levels went back to normal.

Coconut oil’s effect on working dogs

Another study warns of the effects of too much coconut oil.

This time, the researchers did it on working dogs.

Specifically, 18 English Pointers (male).

The researchers fed 9 of them coconut oil for 12 weeks.

All of the dogs showed a decrease in their odor-detecting abilities.

The results tell us that the high amount of saturated fats within coconut oil caused it.

So the next time you want to think about dousing your doggo’s food, think about this.

Note: Always consult your vet if you want to add something to their diet.

Check out: 7 Alarming Reasons Why Dogs Can’t Eat Frosted Flakes

”My dog ate a lot of Welch’s Fruit Snacks, what should I do?”

The first thing to do if your dog ate a lot of Welch’s Fruit Snacks is determining just how much they ate.

Then call the emergency vet in your area.

They will ask you questions about:

Age.
Breed.
Weight.
Snack ingredients.
The time when your dog ate it.
Quantity ingested by your dog.
Abnormal behaviors from them.

Make sure to answer their questions as best as you can.

This will help your vet determine the best course of action to take for your dog.

Which will depend on how much your dog ate. And the signs they’re displaying.

You can also do these steps when your dog eats something suspicious.

This can happen a lot. Especially if you have a dog obsessed with food.

Healthy Welch’s Fruit Snacks alternatives for dogs (100% safe)

Now you know Welch’s Fruit Snacks aren’t the best for your pooch.

But it doesn’t mean that it’s the end of all yummy fruit-based treats for them.

Here are some that are dog-safe. You can get these online:

These are better alternatives to Welch’s Fruit Snacks. And you don’t have to worry about side effects when you feed them to your pooch.

Mixed Fruit Ingredients

Welch’s Fruit Snacks have a lot of other ingredients.

Keep reading to know how they affect your dog!

#1: Fruit puree (grape, peach, orange, strawberry, and raspberry)

Certain fruits are great at supplementing vitamins and minerals to your pooch. But Welch’s Fruit Snacks contains puree from grapes.

This can cause theobromine poisoning, even death.

#2: Corn syrup

Dogs are fine when they eat a small amount of this. But dog parents have to remember that this is high in sugar. Which is dangerous for your dog.

Over time, too much corn syrup can cause obesity or diabetes.

#3: Chicory root extract

This ingredient is a great prebiotic. This comes from fiber-rich foods. And it gets processed into food for gastrointestinal cells.

This is often the main ingredient in prebiotic supplements for dogs.

#4: Modified corn starch

Corn is an allergen for some dogs. It’s uncommon but often deadly. Because dog food contains cornflour or cornstarch. As it’s a source of carbohydrates.

But this study had interesting results.

Most dogs’ immune systems are less likely to develop allergies to cornstarch.

Especially when compared to corn flour.

#5: Gelatin

Dogs can benefit from gelatin. But they have to eat the unsweetened type.

You don’t want to add more sugar to your dog’s diet.

So don’t go for those flavored gelatin packets.

Did you know? Gelatin can help with canine osteoarthritis in dogs. This study says that 2.5% of it in dry foods is beneficial for arthritic pooches.

#6: Lactic acid

According to PetMD, this is a chemical produced through activity.

So less activity = less lactic acid.

More activity = more lactic acid.

It fuels your dog’s body. And it gives them more energy.

But, a build-up is dangerous for your doggo. This happens when their body cannot process and eliminate it properly.

It causes:

Vomiting.
Heavy breathing.
Pain in the abdomen.

It can even affect functions of the cardiac system. And even all the organs in a dog’s body.

#7: Natural and artificial flavors

All produced dog foods contain this. And there is a big debate on whether which is safer for your dog.

In the end, the most important thing is to make sure that your dog eats right.

And that their meals contain enough nutrients to sustain their body.

#8: Alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E)

This is a vitamin that your dog needs. This is an antioxidant that helps them fight oxidative damage.

It’s a process that all living things have to go through. But antioxidants can help keep cells as healthy as possible.

According to the AKC, this vitamin is also important for cell function. And for your dog’s body to metabolize fats.

#9: Vitamin A palmitate

Your dog needs this for vision support. And N A P says it also helps with the following:

Growth.
Immune function.
Fetal development.
Cellular differentiation.
Protein movement in cells.

#10: Sodium citrate

This is a big no-no for dogs. This study states that it causes:

Rapid breathing.
Low blood pressure.
Depression of respiration.

This is in large and medium doses of sodium citrate. But it’s also dangerous even in small doses. Especially in small dog breeds.

#11: Carnauba wax

This doesn’t cause any toxicity to dogs. Even dogs fed with this for 28 days didn’t show bad signs, this study reveals.

In fact, this is also an important ingredient in paw balms for dogs.

#12: Annatto (color)

In general, this is a safe dye for dogs to eat.

But in large doses, it can cause hypoglycemia. Which is when their body’s sugar level is below normal.

This study says that it affects insulin binding properties. And this results in not enough glucose for your dog.

On the other hand, this also means that it can help to treat diabetes mellitus. A condition where there’s too much glucose.

#13: Turmeric (color)

In Welch’s Fruit Snack’s turmeric provides the yellow color. For dogs, it has a lot of benefits.

It’s an antioxidant. And it helps to treat joint pain and inflammation.

But PetMD advises dog parents to give it in small doses only. And to always check with a vet before giving it to your pooch.

#14: Fruit and vegetable juice (color)

Fruits and vegetables are generally great for your pooch. And aside from a few, your dog can eat them.

But in Welch’s Fruit Snacks there’s no fruit or vegetable specified. So if you feed this to your dog, they might have a horrible reaction to it.

If it’s not stated on the label, it’s best to avoid feeding it to your pooch.