Molasses is usually used in baking and cooking. In other parts of the world, it is just eaten, and there is some information on how molasses may be good for your dog. Can dogs eat molasses? Some dog treat recipes have molasses, but is it safe for dogs? Find out the answer to that and much more here.
What is Molasses?
Molasses is a syrupy sugar that comes from sugarcane. It becomes a syrup consistency after boiling the sugar for a while. The normal process of making sugar leaves out vital nutrients, but molasses can retain some.
Molasses isn’t as popular in the United States as it is in other countries. This syrup is actually given to children in the United Kingdom for its nutritional benefits. There are a few different types of molasses out there that can benefit you and your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Molasses?
Yes, your dog can eat molasses under certain circumstances. A small amount of molasses would benefit your dog with some great health benefits. However, certain types of molasses can be consumed by dogs and others that would be harmful. Below you will find the different types and if they are safe for your dog to consume.
Light Molasses (OK)
This is a prevalent and common type of molasses. This is the first type of syrup you get from boiling the sugar. The longer you boil it, the more it cooks and changes. This is actually the sweetest type of molasses out there. This type would not be recommended for dogs as the sugar content is high. Dogs should avoid a lot of excess sugar to ensure they do not get overweight or obese.
Dark Molasses (Better)
Dark molasses is the next type of molasses. This results from boiling the light variety longer and becoming darker and less sweet. In this phase, it actually retains a lot more nutrients than the light version. This would be a good variety to give your dog in tiny amounts. It is still sweet, but a little will be fine for your dog.
Blackstrap Molasses (Best)
If you continue to boil the dark molasses even longer, it turns into something called blackstrap molasses. This is the best variety for your dog to eat because it has the least amount of sugar content with the most nutrients retained.
This type has an acquired taste compared to the others, and your dog may not like it, but if it is combined with other ingredients, your dog may not even notice it and will get all the nutritional benefits.
Bonus Tip: Check the ingredient label of the molasses you intend to purchase before giving it to your dog. Try to purchase the most natural product you can find. Also, when looking at the nutritional information, ensure there are no artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, which is harmful to dogs.
Benefits of Molasses for Dogs
Believe it or not, molasses has some health benefits that you and your dog can benefit from. Below I will go more in-depth about the variety of benefits you can gain from consuming even just a small amount of molasses.
Iron – Iron is very beneficial for dogs because it can prevent anemia, and iron is an essential mineral dogs should be getting in their diet.
Vitamin B6 – This helps digest fats inside of your dog’s body.
Lower Sugar – The lower sugar content of molasses is great for dogs to have something sweet without getting obese from higher sugar items.
Chromium – Chromium helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, which in turn helps glucose. This can help prevent diabetes.
Calcium – As you may already know, calcium helps keep your bones healthy and can decrease the chances of bone diseases.
Skin Health – You may see some improvement in your dog’s skin from eating small amounts of molasses. This will obviously be a safer alternative than other products out there.
Arthritis – Many dogs breeds out there suffer from arthritis or joint pain. Molasses may not get rid of arthritis, but it can reduce some aspects of this in older dogs.
Is Molasses Bad for Dogs?
No, molasses is not bad for dogs. The best option for giving a dog molasses is the blackstrap molasses variety. This one has significantly less sugar and more nutrition. Of course, now you will still want to give your dog molasses in small quantities and in moderation.
Your dog may only need a tablespoon or less. Generally, dogs might not like the taste of the blackstrap molasses on its own, but if it is mixed with something or turned into a treat, your dog might like it better.
Can Dogs Eat Molasses Cookies?
Yes, you can let your dog have a small piece of a molasses cookie. However, remember that cookies can have other added ingredients, so it is essential to check over the ingredients if purchased from the store.
There are also dog treats on the market that contain molasses that you can purchase or follow a recipe and make for your dog yourself. Below you will find my recommendation for a dog treat with molasses that you can purchase.
Riley’s Organics – Peanut Butter & Molasses Organic Dog Treats
Riley’s Organics creates flavorful dog treats that are all USDA-certified organic. They use organic, non-GMO human-grade ingredients in their treats. These treats are only made with five ingredients: peanut butter, oats, oat flour, peanut flour, and molasses.
You can choose from a small size for dogs less than 25 pounds and a large treat designed for dogs over 25 pounds in weight. This dog treat product is also free from wheat, corn, soy, sugar, salt, preservatives, and artificial color or flavors. This is a beautiful, healthy, and high-quality option for a dog treat made with molasses.
How Much Molasses Can I Give my Dog?
Your dog does not need much molasses to gain some of the wonderful health benefits it has to offer. The exact serving size your dog would benefit from will genuinely depend on the size of your dog. Generally, dogs only need a tablespoon or fewer molasses to get its amazing benefits.
Moderation is the key to everything you give your dog. Too much of anything can be a bad thing, so make sure that molasses does not take up your entire dog’s diet. If your dog consumes too much, it can cause health problems.
Can Dogs Have Molasses in Peanut Butter?
Yes, dogs can eat molasses and peanut butter together, as this is a typical combination when put together. You will see these two ingredients in a lot of dog treat recipes. A small amount of molasses is usually put inside things to give them some sweetness. Just remember to purchase all-natural peanut butter without extra sweeteners like xylitol.
Overall
Can dogs eat molasses? The answer to that question is yes, as long as you purchase a very natural blackstrap molasses variety. Remember that moderation is always key. Let me know in the comments if your dog has ever eaten molasses.