Many people love jaggery and put it in most of their foods as it is a safe alternative to curb sugar cravings.
While they indulge in sweets made of jaggery, they usually feed the same to their furry friend as well.
So, can dogs eat jaggery?
Jaggery is not good for dogs. It is a rich source of sucrose (70%) hence you should avoid feeding jaggery to your pet dog. Sucrose is a form of sugar and can trigger cavity formation, weight gain, obesity & other metabolic conditions in dogs.
As much as we enjoy sweet food items made using jaggery like Puran poli, chikki & cookies, make sure you do not feed these to your pet dogs.
No doubt that sugar forms an essential part of their diets, some sugars, like the ones found in sweets can be harmful to their health just like it is harmful to humans as well.
Dogs need some sort of sugar. Actually, they require carbohydrates that are broken down into glucose by the body to live. Make sure you do not give them candies as that will not add any positive value to their health.
Nutritional Value of Jaggery (Gur)
Jaggery is produced without adding any chemicals and is termed as unrefined sugar. India, being the largest producer of jaggery, contributes by producing more than 70% of it.
Generally, jaggery is compared with honey for its nutritional values and commonly known as medicinal sugar.
In India, jaggery is also called as “Gur ” and used as a high-calorie sweetener that is known to contain several vitamins, glucose, proteins, minerals and fructose.
High-quality jaggery contains more than 70% sucrose, less than 10% fructose and glucose, less than 5% minerals and less than 3% moisture.
Jaggery nutritional value per 100g
| Jaggery Calories | 383 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 98.0 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g |
| Protein | 0.4 g |
| Minerals | Calcium (80.0 mg), Iron (5.4 mg), Magnesium (160 mg), Phosphorus (40.0 mg), Potassium (140 mg), Sodium (30.0 mg), Selenium (1.4 mcg) |
| Vitamins | Niacin (2.0 mg), Vitamin B6 (0.4 mg), Pantothenic Acid (1.0 mg) |
Is Jaggery Good for Labrador?
No, like all other dog breeds, jaggery and treats made from a high amount of jaggery (or sugar) are toxic to labrador.
Dogs stay healthy and active when on a high protein and high-fat diet with moderate levels of carbohydrates and a small portion of indigestible fiber. It is wise to avoid sugar of any type, including jaggery.
How Can I Avoid Giving Jaggery to my Dog?
Instead of jaggery treats, give them different types of dog foods. In this way, they will get something unique every time and think that you are treating him/her for good behaviour.
Your pet dog wants good quality treats, fresh drinking water, frequent workouts and loads of love. They are a part of your family, but this does not mean that you give them everything you eat.
It is wise not to feed your pet dog your sweets even if it is made out of jaggery. It is as unhealthy as sugar for them.
Instead, give them different dog treats that are specially made for dogs.