Vegetable glycerin is a common ingredient found in many everyday products, including food, cosmetics, and even pet food. While it is generally safe for humans, the question remains: is vegetable glycerin bad for dogs? As pet owners, it is important to get the facts on the safety of this ingredient so that we can make informed decisions when purchasing products for our beloved animals. This blog post aims to shed light on this topic, discussing the effects of vegetable glycerin on dogs and offering recommendations for pet owners. We will consider the benefits and potential risks of this ingredient, as well as the potential for toxicity in dogs. Additionally, we will consider any potential allergies or sensitivities that may be associated with this ingredient. By the end of this post, you will have the information you need to decide if vegetable glycerin is suitable for your pet.
Is Vegetable Glycerin Safe for Dogs?
Vegetable glycerin is in a number of different dog products.
Shampoos and other skin care products containing vegetable glycerin are safe for dogs. It retains moisture, which can help to soften and calm your dog’s skin. Look for skin products with organic ingredients, including vegetable glycerin.
As previously mentioned, some herbal medications are extracted without the use of alcohol and instead use vegetable glycerin.
Glycerites are safe for dogs. Your dog will only get a few drops per dose so it’s a small amount of glycerin. And, because they taste sweet, they can be more palatable for dogs than alcohol tinctures. Herbalists Gregory Tilford and Mary Wulff say that glycerites are metabolized more like triglycerides than sugar, so they can be better than tinctures for dogs with diabetes or alcohol sensitivity.
However, because glycerin doesn’t extract as much of the herb’s active ingredients as alcohol does, glycerites typically need higher dosages. They don’t last as long as alcohol tinctures, but if kept chilled, they can last for up to two years.
Canine herbalist Rita Hogan also warns that you must verify the source of vegetable glycerin used in the products you buy. Some companies use poor quality, industrial vegetable glycerin from biodiesel production. This is also a reason to avoid glycerin made from corn, which is used to make biodiesel … especially non-organic or genetically modified corn.
Therefore, if the label only says “vegetable glycerin,” contact the company to learn more. The most common options are vegetable glycerins made from organic soybean, coconut, or palm oil. Avoid using too many coconut oil-based products if you use a lot of glycerin products because doing so could harm your dog’s digestive system. Concern exists regarding how using palm oil will affect the environment. This is particularly true in nations like Malaysia and Indonesia where deforestation for palm oil results in habitat loss for animals as well as higher greenhouse gas emissions.
Warning: Vegetable glycerin can make people experience headaches, motion sickness, diarrhea, or other digestive issues. Therefore, if you notice your dog isn’t feeling well after giving him herbal glycerin extracts, the issue is probably with the glycerin, and you should stop using glycerites. Additionally, according to Rita Hogan, some sensitive dogs may drool excessively after taking glycerites.
Vegetable Glycerin In Dog Food And Treats
Little research has been done specifically on the safety of glycerin for dogs. Therefore, neither its safety nor its insecurity are proven.
According to a 2019 paper (2) by Dutch pet food researcher Anton C Beynen, “It is noteworthy that the purity of glycerol preparations in the marketplace is variable.” ”.
He added, “Practical feeding of glycerol-containing petfoods appears not to have produced observations that point to detrimental effects on canine and feline health. However, the current research data cannot completely rule out health risks for long-term, realistic intake levels of crude and purified glycerol. ”.
There’s a lack of long-term data. Given that Beynen contends that glycerol in semi-moist pet foods may impair kittens’ and puppies’ capacity to convert food into energy, it is probably not a good idea to give your dog this ingredient on a regular basis.
Beynen also cited a 1933 study by Johnson et al., which demonstrated that high glycerol intake (35%) had no discernible negative effects on puppy growth between the ages of 5 and 35 weeks. However, the study was very small, with only 3 dogs consuming glycerol in their diet.
One issue is that the study’s glycerol-fed dogs had 5 times more urination and 5 times more water consumption than other dogs. This is not unexpected given that a different study revealed that oral glycerol has diuretic activity in dogs. “The excessive thirst in the glycerol-fed dogs would be understandable if their kidneys excreted glycerol, drawing water into the urine by osmosis,” Beynen observes. Another reason to use this ingredient with caution is that its effects are unclear, particularly if there is a possibility that it could stress your dog’s kidneys.
As before, the type of plant oil from which vegetable glycerin is derived determines its safety as an ingredient in food or medicine. Methanol and sodium residue from the production of biofuels can be found in the glycerin co-product stream. Although most glycerin in the US is designated as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, this does not apply to crude glycerin produced during the production of biodiesel.
Rita Hogan reiterates the need to research the oil source of vegetable glycerin before giving your dog any food or treats that contain it.
The use of glycerin in Chinese jerky and other recalled pet foods has long been a source of controversy. Despite the fact that glycerin and pet illnesses (and even death) have not been linked, there have been reports of pet foods imported into the US using harmful glycerin substitutes in its place.
Anthony Bennie, a natural pet treat producer and expert in animal nutrition, wrote a white paper on the use of vegetable glycerin in dog treats.
This indicates that vegetable glycerin is a synthetic ingredient that isn’t really natural. Another issue is that glycerin might make up a larger portion of the final product than you realize.
Vegetable glycerin might be listed on the ingredient list as one of the insignificant ingredients, but the label might be misleading. That’s because glycerin doesn’t get reduced during cooking. Therefore, when other ingredients lose moisture and shrink during cooking, a moist treat that initially has glycerin as 10% to 15% of the formula ends up having 20% to 30% glycerin content. That’s a lot of glycerin.
Therefore, it’s best to err on the side of caution because there isn’t any research into the long-term or regular health effects of your dog eating it. Feeding a lot of treats and meals containing vegetable glycerin is not recommended.
Vegetable glycerin should be avoided in regular dog foods and kept to a minimum in treats. And if you do use glycerin in treats for animals, check the ingredient list to make sure it says “vegetable glycerin.” Otherwise, it’s likely to be a petrochemical product. Then, take Rita Hogan’s advice and do as she says: learn more about the ingredients in the vegetable glycerin. Look for vegetable glycerin made with organic plant oils.
6. Potassium Sorbate, also known as PSG or E202, is an artificial preservative that is known to irritate the skin, eyes, and digestive system.
80% Freshly Prepared Fish (43% Salmon, 23% Trout, 12% White Fish, and 2% Salmon Gravy), Potato, and Sweet Potato are some nutritious options for your devoted companions.
5. Both butylated hydroxyanisole (also known as BHA or E320) and butylated hydroxytoluene (also known as BHT or E321) are preservatives that are added to the oils in low-quality dog food and treats. Both have been shown by studies in both Europe and the US to promote the growth of tumors and are both regarded as carcinogens in the US.
Look no further than the TP Feeds line if you’re looking for nutritious dog treats made with straightforward, natural ingredients that you can rely on.
80 percent freshly prepared poultry (33 percent chicken, 29 percent duck, and 18 percent turkey), along with potatoes and chicken gravy.
FAQ
What happens if dogs eat glycerin?
Will glycerin hurt dogs?
In pets who are sensitive to glycerin, significant amounts of pure glycerin, which frequently appears as one of the top two to five ingredients listed in many pet treats and chews, can have negative side effects and pose health risks, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Is vegetable glycerin toxic?
Vegetable glycerin is generally considered safe. However, some people may experience allergic reaction, headaches, nausea, thirst, and stomach upset.
Why is glycerin used in dog treats?
Glycerin Although there is no nutritional benefit for your dog, if the ingredient list specifically states that it is “vegetable glycerin,” you shouldn’t worry too much. It serves solely as a sweetener, preservative, and binding agent to combine the ingredients into a chewy treat.