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Many pet parents want to avoid eating too much sugar. So, they turn to artificial sweeteners instead. As a result, there’s an increased risk of dogs (and other pets) being exposed to artificial sweeteners, such as Equal. But what happens if a dog eats Equal?
Has your dog eaten Equal? Are you worried Equal will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together some information about Equal and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Equal?
Equal is an artificial sweetener made in the US. The product contains more than one ingredient, including:
- Aspartame
- Acesulfame potassium
- Dextrose
- Maltodextrin
Equal is sold as a tabletop sweetener available in individual-serving packets or as a dissolving tablet for use in beverages (such as coffee and tea).
Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener that’s been used for decades. It satisfies the sweet tooth with fewer calories or sugar. In addition, this sweetener is more potent than sugar. That means much less aspartame is needed to match the same level of sweetness in sugar.
This artificial sweetener can be used in many ways and blended with all types of foods. It can also be used with other artificial sweeteners.
While Equal is considered safe for humans, what about dogs? Can Equal make dogs sick?
Equal & Dogs
Equal and some artificial sweeteners are not recommended for dogs. While Equal is not toxic to dogs, it can make them sick.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Equal Ingestion by Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog eats Equal:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
The main concern with vomiting and diarrhea is if they last longer than 24 hours. In that case, it’s essential to call the vet. The concern is that these symptoms can cause dehydration in dogs.
Thankfully, the vet has medications that can stop diarrhea and vomiting. And they can treat your canine companion with IV fluids to help rehydrate him.
In the majority of cases, a dog that eats Equal will make a complete recovery. However, dogs should not eat Equal or other artificial sweeteners on a regular basis. So, be sure to keep these out of your dogs reach.
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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