Can Dogs Have Fruit Roll-Ups? Try This Healthy Alternative

Kids will jump at the mention of a fruit roll-up, and you’ll be tempted to buy them because it sounds healthy.

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But not so fast.

Fruit roll-ups are, in fact, rich in sugar and additives harmful to your kids and dogs.

Worry not; this simple homemade recipe will deliver sweet and nutritious fruit roll up to your dog.

So, can dogs have fruit roll-ups?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat fruit roll-ups.

While fruit roll-ups are not considered toxic to dogs, they are very high in sugar and additives, which are otherwise harmful.

However, it rarely hurts dogs if consumed in small amounts depending on your furry friend’s size, age, and health condition.

A home-baked fruit roll-up with fresh fruits and natural sweeteners makes the best treat.

If your dog ate a fruit roll-up and you have no idea how to handle that, this article guides you through it.

The side effects, benefits, and healthy alternatives are all covered.

Plus, a special homemade fruit roll-ups recipe for you and your canine friend.

Can dogs have fruit roll-ups Try this healthy alternative

What are fruit roll-ups?

Fruit roll-ups are the modern name for fruit leathers.

It’s a fruit snack that consists of a flat roll of fruit pectin and sugar, quite common in the 90s.

The core concept of the ingredients is to create a sweet and tasty fruit-like candy.

They come in various flavours like strawberry, apple, apricot, lime, electric raspberry, etc.

Despite the name, it’s not filled with natural fruits, nor is it nutritious or healthy.

Fruit roll-ups have a similar nutritional profile a gummy bear candy.

The ingredients that make up a fruit roll-up include;

Sugar,
Corn syrup,
Pear puree,
Palm oil,
Fruit pectin,
Artificial colours, and
Flavours additives.

Homemade fruit roll-ups for dogs – recipe

It’s simple to make them right at home rather than buying fruit roll-ups with added sugars and artificial sweeteners.

You have an option to use healthy ingredients like real fresh fruits and natural sweeteners like honey.

Ingredients

Fruit – Use dog-safe fresh fruit like berries, mango or peaches. Avoid grapes since they’re toxic to dogs.
Sweetener – Honey or maple syrup are a healthy option for your furry friend.
Lemon juice – helps preserve the fruit, and it’s a dog-friendly item.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 170⁰. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Puree the fruits of choice in a food processor.
Step 3: Transfer to a medium saucepan. Add honey and lemon juice. Heat over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Spread into a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and smooth until even. It’s best fairly thin.
Step 5: Bake for about 4 hours. Your fruit roll-ups are done if they’re not sticky to the touch.
Step 6: Let them cool completely before cutting into strips and rolling.

What to look for when choosing a healthy fruit snack

Real fruit should be the first ingredient, and it’s labelled chiefly as a puree.
Minimal or no added sugars. Both organic and conventional sugar is problematic.
Avoid fillers like starch and complex carbs—they’re not nutrient-dense.
Be wary of artificial sweeteners and additives like colours, flavours and preservatives.

Why fruit roll-ups are dangerous for dogs

The contents in fruit roll-ups are a health hazard to your canine friend.

High sugar levels, artificial sweeteners and preservatives put your canine friend at risk of developing obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis and periodontal disease.

The following ingredient in fruit roll-ups are not healthy for your furry friend:

Fruit concentrates are juices made by extracting all the water from fruits, and it’s just sugar in simple terms.
Fruit puree – fresh fruit puree is suitable for dogs. But the puree in fruit snacks is usually from concentrated fruit which lacks dietary fibre and nutritional value.
Sugar – Although not toxic, sugar is dangerous to dogs. Consistently high levels of sugar cause hyperactivity, diabetes and tooth decay (candy form) in dogs.
Corn starch – Modified corn starch has no nutritional value to dogs and only serves as a filler. The body stores it as fat, leading to weight gain and obesity if consumed regularly.
Corn syrup – This is an artificial sweetener made from fructose and glucose. Though not toxic to dogs, taken in large amounts can cause stomach irritation and health problems.
Artificial additives – fruit roll-ups contain colour and flavour additives associated with an increased risk of certain cancers—better avoided.

What happens if my dog eats fruit roll-ups?

A bite or two isn’t disturbing for large dogs like Golden Retrievers but could be fatal for a small breed like Chihuahuas.

Grapes are toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.

If your dog ingests a fruit roll-up with a toxic ingredient like grapes or star fruit, check for signs of toxicity.

The most common symptom of dog poisoning is vomiting—diarrhoea, hyperactivity, drooling and lethargy.

Contact your vet immediately if you see these symptoms.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can you use frozen fruit to make fruit roll-ups?

Yes.

You can make homemade fruit roll-ups with frozen fruits.

Defrost and drain any excess liquid, then proceed with the above recipe.

Frozen fruits have nutritional values though slightly lower than fresh fruits.

Can fruit roll-ups kill a dog?

No, fruit roll-ups can’t kill a dog.

This is because they don’t contain any direct toxic ingredients.

The high sugars in small amounts make dogs act hyper.

However, if taken in large quantities or regularly, they can harm dogs by causing severe health conditions like diabetes, obesity and other diseases.

They may be fatal if your canine pal has diabetes and eats a few.

Can puppies eat fruit roll-ups?

No.
Puppies have a sensitive stomach, and too much sugar is dangerous.
Thye also needs a healthy diet to get the necessary nutrients for growth and development.
Plan with your vet a diet and strictly adhere.

Conclusion

Fruit roll-ups sound like a healthy snack.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing fruity or nutritious about them; therefore, they are not great treats for your canine pals.

They’re filled with sugars, complex cars and artificial sweeteners, all dangerous to your furry friend.

You can roll it up for your dog as an occasional treat in tiny portions.

But consult your vet before.

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Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.