Do you add gelatin to your dog’s diet? If you haven’t, you might want to start now. Adding gelatin to dog food is not a relatively new practice. This water-soluble protein has long been used for canines with joint issues and arthritis.
Gelatin is a powder obtained from isolated and dehydrated animal parts. It is done by boiling the tendons, ligaments, skin, and bones of cows or pigs in water. Before being boiled, this parts undergo a degreasing and acid treatment, which facilitates the release of collagen. Gelatin is generally safe for your pet, but can you give any brand of gelatin to your dog? Find out if Jell-O is one of the brands you can offer to your dog.
Is Gelatin Recommended For Dogs?
Yes, in fact gelatin has many amazing health benefits for them. Here are ways your dog could gain from gelatin:
- It can give your dog a better quality of sleep.
Dogs love snooze time, but there are certain factors that hamper their sleep. The most common ones are aging and diseases. Gelatin contains the amino acid glycine that can improve your dog’s sleep. Studies have shown that consuming gelatin right before bedtime prompts sleep because it serves as a neurotransmitter in the brain that says “it is time for some rest.”
If your dog has become sleepless all of a sudden, have him evaluated by a doctor first. There are so many reasons why they find it hard to sleep at night. It could be an allergy, a skin problem, or other types of illness that require medical attention.
- Gelatin helps manage inflammation and joint pains.
Like people, dogs can also suffer from joint pains and inflammation brought by arthritis. Around 20% of middle-aged dogs endure arthritis in at least one of their joints.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are just some of the best OTC joint supplements for canines. While these supplements are effective in easing the pain of arthritis, they can be quite costly. Should you prefer a more natural approach in dealing with canine arthritis, consider regularly adding gelatin powder to your dog’s food. A teaspoon of gelatin will be enough to help with his joints.
- It can improve skin appearance
Believe it or not, our dogs can get sunburn too. Dogs are prone to skin problems and in case one appears, it is best to give them foods that are rich in collagen. Since gelatin is a protein obtained from collagen, you may consider adding it to your dog’s diet.
- It strengthens the bones
Gelatin not only helps in managing joint pains and inflammation, but it can also help prevent arthritis and other bone-related diseases because it is rich in bone-healing nutrients, including calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium.
- It can help control seizures in dogs
The glycine in gelatin can protect against seizures. Sad to say, many dogs suffer from seizures since this is the most common neurological disorder among canines. If your own fur baby is having seizures more than twice a month, you may consider asking your vet about a gelatin supplement.
Suggested Dosage For Canines
Gelatin is safe for animals but should also be given in reasonable amounts to make sure your pup benefits from its full efficacy. Here is the allowed daily intake for dogs, according to Dr. Jean Dodd’s Pet Health Resource:
- 10 to 25 pounds: 1 teaspoon
- 25 to 50 pounds: 3 teaspoons
- 50 to 75 pounds: 6 teaspoons
- 75 to 100 pounds or more: 3 tablespoons
Can Dogs Have Jello?
If your dog happened to eat small amounts of Jell-O, he will likely be fine. But just because it is safe for your dog does not mean it can be part of his diet. Jell-O is gelatin, but there are a few more things in it that you should be concerned about.
According to the product’s information page, here is all the stuff included in strawberry Jell-O:
- Sugar
- Gelatin
- Artificial Flavor
- Adipic Acid
- Fumaric Acid
As you can see, there are artificial flavors and refined sugars in Jell-O. Sugar can be toxic to dogs if ingested in an excessive amount. Unfortunately, dogs have a harder time digesting sugar than we do.
Even if the label says it is sugar-free, it still contains artificial sweeteners that may not be safe for your dog. Always read the labels and make sure the gelatin you are buying is free from artificial sweeteners, like Xylitol.
DIY Gelatin Treat for Dog
You can create a healthier version of your favorite Jell-O by incorporating various flavors to plain unflavored gelatin. For this recipe, you are free to choose your flavor and that means you can incorporate healthy treats in it. One of the options is unsweetened coconut, which is safe for dogs in moderate amounts.
Another thing you can add to it to give it some flavor is pumpkin puree. You may add a bit of cinnamon, which is an excellent source of antioxidants. If you have broth, you can incorporate it in the recipe together with some chopped fresh parsley. Or, to make things even simpler, just add some crumbled pieces of your dog’s favorite treats! Are you excited to try this recipe? Here it is:
- In a small bowl, pour ¼ cup of cold water.
- Sprinkle one tablespoon of unflavored gelatin.
- Add in your flavor.
- Pour your mixture into small molds or ice cube trays.
- Chill for around 3 hours.
- Remove from the mold and serve to your dog.
That’s it! This quick and simple recipe should not take more than 10 minutes to do. You can even make it when you are in a rush or during those times when you can’t decide what to offer to puppy as a snack. The best part is that you can incorporate your dog’s favorite treats in it so you don’t have to go far to look for ingredients.
Important Reminder
Gelatin is safe for dogs but it is still a good idea to seek your vet’s advice before adding gelatin to your dog’s diet. Some canines with liver diseases and chronic kidney diseases are usually restricted from consuming protein. Ask your doctor about it if you are unsure about offering it to puppy.
Conclusion
Jell-O contains sweeteners that should not be given to dogs. Therefore, it should not be used to cover their gelatin needs. If you want to add gelatin to your pet’s diet, consider the unflavored and plain variety. You can simply sprinkle it on your dog’s food or use it for making dog treats.
