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Powerade drinks are extremely popular with people who exercise or have small kids at home. With so many people having a dog, this means those dogs have a good chance of accessing Powerade on their own! But can Powerade make a dog sick?
Has your dog drunk Powerade? Are you worried the Powerade will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog drinks something like this.
We’ve put together some information about Powerade and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Powerade?
Powerade is a sports drink created and sold by the Coca-Cola Company. The drink comes in a wide range of flavors and is used to help replenish electrolytes, carbohydrates, and vitamins used during sports activities. However, the drink is also recommended if people are suffering from dehydration due to diarrhea and vomiting.
Powerade contains the following ingredients:
- Water
- High fructose corn syrup
- Salt
- Potassium citrate
- Phenylalanine
- Sucrose
- Sodium citrate
- Malic acid
- Potassium phosphate
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B2
- Sugar
- Caffeine
This product has been specially formulated for humans, not dogs. However, it may be safe for a dog to have a few sips of this sports drink. But can Powerade make a dog sick?
Powerade & Dogs
Powerade is not toxic to dogs; however, they should not drink very much of this product. Powerade contains more sugar and sodium. In large amounts, sugar and sodium can be harmful to dogs. Vets recommend keeping your canine companion hydrated with water.
And if your dog is having diarrhea and vomiting, the vet may recommend Pedialyte over Powerade. The reason is that Powerade may contain caffeine, which is toxic to dogs.
In addition, there may be times when a dog has continuous diarrhea and vomiting, which last for hours. Before giving your dog Powerade or any other sports drink, always talk with the vet first. Depending on your dog’s condition, they may ask you to bring the dog in for an exam. Diarrhea and vomiting that won’t stop can dehydrate a fur baby very quickly, especially if he’s not drinking. What’s more, the dog may have a condition that requires further treatment, which Powerade is not able to provide.
So, if your fur baby comes down with diarrhea and vomiting, then call the vet. Ask them if your dog can have Powerade or not. And when you’re out on a hike, a few sips of Powerade will likely be OK. However, the best way to keep your dog hydrated is with plenty of fresh water!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. No waiting for appointments or office hours. No high fees. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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