Molasses is a thick syrupy byproduct of the candy-making process. It’s often used in baking and can even be found in some dog foods and treats, but is it healthy for them?
It may be safe to give dogs small amounts of molasses, but it is not a healthy addition to their diet. If you are considering making homemade dog food with this ingredient, we recommend that you speak to your veterinary team beforehand and get approval; because molasses is not suitable for all dogs due to its high sugar content.
Read on to learn more about molasses and the risks of giving it to your dog.
What are the three types of molasses?
There are three main types of molasses that differ in flavor, sugar content and consistency.
Light molasses made from the first boiling of sugar cane or beet juice. It is the lightest in color and the sweetest type, as only a very small percentage of the sugar is extracted before it has time to boil. Often used in baking.
Dark molasses It is obtained by boiling cane or beet juice a second time. It is darker, thicker and less sweet than the Light variety. It can be used in baked goods, but it gives a distinct color and flavor.
Treacle It is obtained from the third boiling. It is the darkest and darkest molasses and gives a bitter taste. It is the most concentrated form of molasses, offers some vitamins and minerals and has the lowest sugar content of all types.
Should Dogs Eat Molasses?
Molasses (light or dark varieties) should not be given to your pets directly from the container because it is too high in sugar.
You can find dog treats, treats, and homemade pet food recipes that contain blackstrap molasses, and in small amounts, it may be acceptable to offer this type of food to your pet. However, it is important to remember that molasses is still a form of sugar, and dogs that overeat it are at increased risk of gaining weight and developing obesity-related conditions.
The Dangers of Giving Molasses to Dogs
High Sugar Content
Molasses will have different amounts of sugar depending on the extraction method and the age of the plant. All three types contain a lot of sugar, but the blackstrap variety has much less.
While sugar isn’t toxic, too much sugar in a dog’s diet can upset the balance of bacteria they need to digest their food, causing gastrointestinal upset. Too much sugar can also lead to excess calories and obesity, which can increase the risk of joint problems, pancreatitis, and cancer.
The high sugar content of molasses can also raise blood sugar levels, so dogs with diabetes should avoid this food altogether.
Potential of Xylitol
Some molasses recipes may contain traces of xylitol. Xylitol is a common artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Ingesting even a small amount of the sweetener can be fatal to your pup.
Acrylamide Content
Blackstrap molasses contains acrylamide, a suspected carcinogen that can form in some plant-based foods when exposed to high temperatures during cooking. While no studies have explicitly focused on dogs and cancer risks when consuming foods containing acrylamide, there are studies that suggest high acrylamide levels cause cancer in rodents. Acrylamide can be found in many commercial dry dog foods due to the high-heat cooking methods used.
Danger of drowning
Molasses is a thick and very sticky substance. Dogs that eat molasses directly from the container may be at risk of choking due to it getting stuck in their airways.
Benefits of Giving Molasses to Dogs
As we mentioned above, blackstrap molasses contains some vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial for dogs. It is naturally rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6, all nutrients your pup needs for bodily processes like oxygen transport, bone and teeth health, and the creation of neurotransmitters.
However, your pet should get most of his nutrients from commercially prepared dog foods or a recipe from a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist. Never rely on foods like molasses to meet your dog’s nutritional needs.
Solution
Molasses is not a toxic food for dogs, but that doesn’t mean you should give it to them too often. The high sugar content of the light and dark varieties makes them unsuitable for daily use, but as long as the majority of your pet’s diet comes from commercially prepared dog food, occasionally giving blackstrap treats and homemade treats should be fine. Before making any recipe that contains molasses, read the label to make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol.
Talk to your veterinarian before giving molasses to your dog, especially if he has health problems such as diabetes or other nutritional issues.
Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock