SnoutScanAre sugar and syrups safe for dogs?
Sugar is not toxic, but dogs do not need it, so SnoutScan marks it down. Sugar-free is not always safer, because xylitol is a poison.
Dogs get all the energy they need from protein, fat and starch. Added sugar makes food taste better and keeps soft treats moist, but it adds calories that can lead to weight gain and it feeds the bacteria that cause dental disease. Honey, molasses, dextrose and maltodextrin count as sugar too.
How SnoutScan scores sugar and syrups
- Points
- −6
- Highest possible score
- 60/100 for some treats
Added sugar anywhere on the label takes 6 points off the 20-point additives part and shows as an amber chip. A treat with sugar in its first three ingredients also cannot score above 60.
Where it turns up
Soft treats, jerky, biscuits and some semi-moist food. Asian-market treats often use glucose, maltose or trehalose.
SnoutScan looks for these words on a label:
- sugar
- sugars
- cane sugar
- brown sugar
- cane molasses
- molasses
- corn syrup
- glucose syrup
- maple syrup
- sucrose
- dextrose
- fructose
- honey
- various sugars
- maltodextrin
- maltose
- trehalose
- starch syrup
- rice syrup
Related ingredients
Read more
Common questions
Is a little honey OK for my dog?
A little honey is not toxic, but it is still sugar, so SnoutScan counts it the same way.
Is "no added sugar" peanut butter safe?
Check for xylitol or birch sugar first. They are sweeteners that are toxic to dogs, and they turn up in sugar-free products.
Based on WSAVA nutrition guidance. This is a guide to labels, not a substitute for your vet.
Check whether your dog's food contains sugar and syrups.
Scan your dog's food