What juice is good for dogs

Dogs drink almost anything that is put in front of them, whether it is good for them or not. Fresh filtered, boiled or bottled water in a clean dish is the best drink for a dog. Many other fluids contain harmful chemicals or cannot be digested when dogs drink them. This article will address 5 common questions people have about safe fluids for dogs.

Índice Show

Milk Is Not Recommended
Gatorade Contains Too Much Sugar
Whole Fruit Is Better Than Fruit Juice
Pool Water Contains Harmful Chemicals
Toilet Bowls Contain Bacteria
Water From Puddles and Ponds Contains Parasites
Fresh Squeezed Whole Juice
Store-Bought Juice from Concentrate
What About Juice Pulp?
What’s the Best Drink for My Dog?
When Juice Could Benefit Your Dog
What Else Can dogs drink other than water?
Can dogs drink any juice?
Is it OK to give dogs apple juice?

Milk Is Not Recommended

Many dogs lack the proper enzymes to break down lactose, the sugar in milk. Lactose intolerant people also lack these same enzymes. Without the presence of enzymes to break down lactose, it remains undigested and ferments in the intestine. This causes diarrhea and an upset stomach. If your dog appears to be able to tolerate milk, a cup as a treat every so often will do no harm. Milk with the lactose removed would be the best choice as a treat. Milk should never be used as a primary fluid for a dog.

Gatorade Contains Too Much Sugar

Any drink with vitamin or mineral supplements for humans could be harmful to a dog. Dogs can tolerate only specific amounts of certain vitamins and minerals that already naturally occur in dog food and water. Gatorade also contains a high percentage of sugar which could be very harmful to a diabetic dog. There are also artificial colorings and additives which can disrupt the healthy functioning of the urinary tract and other systems.

Whole Fruit Is Better Than Fruit Juice

Whole juice is not as good as fresh water. Dogs can drink fresh fruit juice in small quantities including apple juice and orange juice. Any fruit juice for a dog should be free of added sugar, artificial colors, or other ingredients. It would be a much better idea to give your dog a piece of fresh apple than to risk a juice that isn't really just juice. Even too much fresh juice can put too much sugar into your dog's diet. Most high quality dog foods already contain some fruit for your dog's best nutrition.

Pool Water Contains Harmful Chemicals

Do not let your dog drink from chlorinated pools. Pool water contains a high level of a variety of chemicals such as chlorine. When a dog drinks pool water, he or she ingests more chlorine than is healthy and might also be ingesting other chemicals. There also might be algae, insects, bacteria growth, and other harmful substances in the pool. A small sip of pool water will not put your dog in the emergency vet's office.

Toilet Bowls Contain Bacteria

Even the cleanest water becomes unsafe for dogs to drink if its container is dirty. Toilet bowls can contain many harmful types of organisms and bacteria. A toilet bowl may also contain chemicals used for cleaning which can be harmful to dogs.

Water From Puddles and Ponds Contains Parasites

Water from puddles and ponds can contain bacteria, parasites, and viruses that form from the lack of the water's movement. A fungal infection can grow due to pathogens that are present in still water molds and fungi. The organisms that live in the water molds can be harmful to a dog's digestion.

There’s nothing that rounds out a complete breakfast better than a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice. But is that juice safe for dogs?

While dogs can safely drink most juices, it is generally not recommended for their health. Freshly squeezed juice isn’t that detrimental for dogs and can provide some needed vitamins and nutrients. However, most store-bought juices from concentrate are rather terrible for canines.

In this article, we’ll discuss the difference between the two types of juice, what to avoid, and the best drink option for your dog.

Fresh Squeezed Whole Juice

Image credit: Masarik, Shutterstock

If you’re looking to give your dog juice, it needs to be whole juice. This means that there are no added sugars, preservatives, or colors.

Natural whole juices can provide an easy way for your pup to get some of the vitamins and minerals they need. For example, celery juice can provide a ton of different vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients your dog needs to live a healthy life.

Other fruits and vegetables that will provide an excellent nutrient-rich source include:

Strawberries
Carrots
Sweet potato
Broccoli
Apple

However, not all juices are as healthy for your pup. In fact, there are some you’ll want to outright avoid. These are the tart citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruits. The acidity found within these fruits can prove too much for your pup. High acidity can quickly lead to doggie acid reflux and extreme discomfort.

And under no circumstance should you share grape juice with your dog. For some unclear reason, grapes are highly toxic to dogs. Ingestion can lead to kidney failure and death. Now, if your pup has consumed a small amount of grape juice, there’s a strong chance they won’t be affected. But if they begin to exhibit symptoms of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, they’ll need a trip to the vet immediately.

Store-Bought Juice from Concentrate

Have you ever actually looked at the label on a bottle of fruit juice? Unless specifically stated, most store-bought juices contain an obscene amount of added sugar and syrups. Many of these juices contain more sugar per gram than your favorite soft drink!

The addition of these components can turn a natural boost into an unhealthy abomination. When it comes to blood sugar, dogs can’t process sugar as well as humans can making them much more susceptible to conditions like diabetes. And it will also directly contribute to doggie obesity.

Store-bought juice should be avoided at all costs.

What About Juice Pulp?

If you are making fresh juice at home, think twice before tossing out the pulp. That’s because it’s much better than the juice. The pulp often has much less sugar than the juice while retaining most of the healthy vitamins and minerals.

Juice pulp can make for a tasty food topper to your dog’s preferred meal and provide a quick little vitamin boost.

Image Credit: rawpixel.com, Pxhere

What’s the Best Drink for My Dog?

When it comes to giving your pup nourishment, nothing beats good old-fashioned plain water. Dogs don’t derive any additional pleasure from drinking something flavorful or different. They might turn their nose away.

Water is the absolute best way to keep them hydrated as well. It’s what their body needs. And while a pure whole juice can provide that hydration, it’ll still require more and may have adverse effects.

Image credit: Pixabay

See also: 10 Best Spill-Proof Dog Water Bowls – Reviews & Top Picks

When Juice Could Benefit Your Dog

Whole juice can be a good alternative in a few rare situations. If your dog is aging or has an appetite problem in general, you may be able to stimulate their eating through a small amount of whole juice. And it could be an easy way to help get them some of the vitamins and minerals they need. That’s not to say juice can serve as a meal substitute or water replacement, though.

But if you’re adamant about getting some fresh fruits and veggies in your dog’s life, remember that you can always try giving them freshly squeezed juice pulp instead.

Related Read: Can Dogs Drink Gatorade?

Conclusion

While some fresh juices are alright for your dog — and in some rare cases can even be helpful — most are chock-full of sugar and unneeded ingredients for your pup. The majority of the time you should stick to the original canine beverage of choice: water. It has all of the components needed to keep your canine hydrated, and it will always be pleasing to your furry friend.

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Featured Image Credit: silviarita, Pixabay

What Else Can dogs drink other than water?

So, what can dogs drink besides water? You can add some Pedialyte, coconut water, fresh fruit or vegetable juice, unsalted broth, and nut milk to their liquid intake. Your pup will love new beverages as a treat!

Can dogs drink any juice?

CAN DOGS DRINK JUICE? Shop bought juices, particularly those from concentrate, should not be given to your dog, as they often contain sweeteners, artificial flavourings and colouring which are not good for dogs. However, a small amount of fresh fruit, ideally squeezed yourself, can be a refreshing treat for your dog.

Is it OK to give dogs apple juice?

Dogs cannot drink apple juice as it contains large amounts of added sugar and acid that can lead to stomach upset, weight gain, and other health issues, even in small doses. Discover the health risks of apple juice and why apple slices are a safer choice for your pooch.