Can Dogs Eat Sugar Cane? Everything You Need To Know

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Most people believe that sugar cane is okay for dogs, but the truth is that it can be both good and bad for them.

While sugar cane is healthy for humans, it can be harmful to dogs if they eat too much of it.

So, can dogs eat sugar cane?

The answer is both yes and no. While sugar cane does contain some nutrients that can be beneficial for dogs, 100 grams of sugar cane contains 70 grams of sugar. This amount of sugar is unhealthy for a dog to consume and can lead to health problems. So it’s best to just avoid giving dogs sugar cane.

In this article, you’ll discover:

If dogs can eat sugar cane (raw sugar cane, sugar cane juice, etc.)
The dangers of feeding sugar cane to dogs
What to do if your dog eats sugar cane
And other frequently asked question

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

What Is Sugar Cane?

In order to determine if dogs can eat sugar cane, we need to look at the ingredients and nutritional value.

Sugar cane is a type of grass that grows in tropical and subtropical climates. It is often used to make sugar, molasses, and rum. The stalks of sugar cane can be eaten raw or juiced.

Let’s look a the nutritional make-up of sugar cane.

Nutrition Facts

An 8-ounce serving, approximately 240 ml of sugarcane juice (with no additives), contains 168 calories, 46 g of natural sugars, and some beneficial nutrients like potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, and magnesium. Common ingredients found in sugar cane juice are water, ginger, and lemon.

Organic raw sugar cane contains roughly 375 calories per 100 g servings with 100g of sugar and 50mg of iron.

Nutrition facts pulled from nutritionvalue.org.

Can Dogs Eat Sugar Cane?

I contacted our veterinary consultant and animal nutritionists to see what they had to say.

The verdict.

Yes and no. Dogs can eat sugar cane but only in tiny amounts.

Sugar cane is extremely high in sugar, leading to weight gain and obesity in dogs. It can also cause digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting.

So, while your dog may enjoy a small taste of sugar cane every now and then, it is best to give them some as an occasional treat rather than a regular one.

So, can dogs have sugar cane?

They can have minimal amounts and be okay, but it’s not in their best interest to eat sugar cane frequently.

Can Dogs Have Sugar Cane Juice?

Sugar cane juice is a popular drink in many countries.

It is made by juicing sugar cane stalks and adding water, ginger, and lemon.

Dogs shouldn’t have sugar cane juice, but small amounts are unlikely to cause harm.

The high sugar content and sodium can cause health problems for dogs if they consume too much.

There is roughly 98mg of sodium and 46 grams of sugar for 8 ounces of sugar cane juice.

This is far too much sugar and sodium for a dog to consume. Plus, the added lemon in many sugar cane juices is also hard on a dog’s stomach.

So if you give your dog sugar cane juice, make sure it’s a tiny amount.

It should never be a go-to treat for your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Sugar Cane?

Raw sugar cane can be found in many health food stores.

Dogs can have minimal amounts of raw sugar cane, but it’s not the best treat for them.

Sugar cane is very high in sugar and can cause health problems for dogs if they overeat.

Raw sugar cane also contains a small amount of cyanide, which can be toxic to dogs if consumed in large amounts.

In addition, raw sugar can have a fibrous texture that can be hard for dogs to digest and chew. This can make it a choking hazard.

So, while your dog may enjoy a tiny taste of raw sugar cane every now and then, it is best to not give them any.

Can Dogs Chew On Sugar Cane?

Dogs shouldn’t chew on sugar can as it can be a choking hazard.

In addition, sugar cane is very high in sugar, which is unhealthy for dogs to eat.

So you should avoid letting your dog chew on sugar cane.

Is Sugar Cane Bad For Dogs?

While sugar cane is not toxic to dogs, it is still considered harmful for your dog to eat.

This is because 100 grams of sugar cane has over 70 grams of sugar.

Even though it’s natural sugar, it is far too much sugar for your dog to consume.

Dangers Of Dogs Eating Sugar Cane

Sugar cane has a few dangers you should be aware of before you give your dog some.

Here are a few dangers with sugar cane:

High In Sugar

The more often your dog eats sugar, the more it increases their risk of developing health problems. Sugar can lead to weight gain, obesity, tooth decay, and diabetes in dogs. While sugar cane isn’t as bad as some other sugary foods, it’s still not good for your dog to consume very often.

Here are a few repercussions of feeding dogs sugar:

Tooth Decay – Sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay in humans and dogs. When combined with bacteria, sugar forms plaque, damaging your dog’s teeth. If you do feed your dog sugar cane, make sure to brush their teeth afterward.
Weight Gain – Sugar cane is high in calories and can cause your dog to gain weight if they overeat it. Overweight dogs are at risk for developing health problems like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
Diabetes – Dogs that eat a lot of sugar are at an increased risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes is a serious health condition that can lead to blindness, kidney disease, and even death.
Upset Stomach – Sugar cane can cause an upset stomach in dogs if they overeat it. Symptoms of an upset stomach include vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating.

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is a condition where there is too much sugar in the blood. It can be caused by eating too much sugar or not getting enough insulin. Hyperglycemia can lead to serious health problems like seizures, coma, and even death.

If you think your dog has eaten too much sugar and is at risk for developing hyperglycemia, take them to the vet immediately.

Choking Hazard

Sugar cane can be a choking hazard for dogs.

This is because the exterior layer of sugar cane is very sharp and brittle. When chewed, it can break into small pieces that could do damage to a dog’s mouth.

These small pieces can become lodged in your dog’s throat and cause them to choke.

In addition, even the internal layer of the sugar cane can be a choking hazard.

After chewing on the sugar cane, it becomes a stringy, dry substance called bagasse.

This part is not supposed to be eaten but thrown out. However, dogs may try to swallow this, which can be dangerous.

This dry pulpy residue can get stuck in a dog’s throat.

So be very cautious if you ever decide to give your dog sugar cane.