Molasses For a Pet Dog? Healthy For Hounds?

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Molasses is a natural sweetener that comes from cane or beet sugar.

Most Americans, and therefore their dogs, rarely consume it. That doesn’t mean there aren’t health benefits! Many children in the UK are given molasses for nutrition.

Can I Give My Dog Molasses?So what about for a pet dog?

Here’s the deal:

A small amount of natural molasses makes for a great supplement. Combining it with a treat is a fantastic idea.

Just be careful of xylitol, and other artificial sweeteners, because they could be toxic for your canine.

Dogs Can Have Molasses (carefully check ingredients)

A bit of this sweetener, without chemicals, is A-OK.

In fact, molasses is healthy for dogs too as it contains:

  • Vitamin-B6
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Manganese
  • Selenium

That is quite a list of nutrients!

Just make sure your molasses is all-natural. If so, it’s far superior to artificial sweeteners.

Get Black-Strap Molasses

A good Blackstrap molasses won’t be super sweet.

More importantly, it’s safe for your dog just as long as you stick to small portions.

More good news:

Blackstrap has lots of iron, few calories and is low in cholesterol as well as fat.

The calcium promotes healthy bones and is preventative against osteoporosis. And the Wulzen Factor or Stigmasterol adds to the desirability.

While sweeteners should normally be skipped, a modest helping of molasses can be an exception.

It can complement a dog treat. The same goes for honey!

Light vs. Dark And Others

Light molasses (AKA treacle) actually has more sugar than the dark kind.

Yup! The dark is preferred for dogs.

But even this variety may not be pure. You really have to check labels.

Avoid feeding your dog a light version or anything that has been sulphured. Blackstrap is likely the best choice.

Molasses as a Natural Cure

The simplest and most natural remedies are often most effective.

Molasses has a history of health benefits (relevant to both humans and animals).

They include energy enhancement and an immune system boost. Molasses may even strengthen the heart and fight tumors.

For sure, a few of these attributes apply to dogs.

Some owners give molasses for their dog’s arthritis and other joint-related problems.

Numerous Health Benefits

Molasses can also decrease anemia risks (a deficiency of red blood cells).

The calcium assists in the maintenance of healthy bones. This decreases a likelihood of osteoporosis.

And get this…

The chromium may ward off diabetes. It could improve your dog’s glucose tolerance, making it easier to metabolize sugar.

The vitamin B6 is great for digestion of fats, Haemoglobin synthesis, and metabolizing amino acids found in protein.

Your dog’s hair and skin could see some improvement!


FYI: Molasses is water soluble and the vitamins are excreted through urine. You may notice a change in urine color.


The Bottom Line

Pure molasses is a healthy sweetener for hounds too. Go with a quality Blackstrap that doesn’t contain any additives.

Just remember that molasses is pretty sweet so be sure to limit portions!

Fed in moderation, you can let your dog enjoy.

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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13 thoughts on “Molasses For a Pet Dog? Healthy For Hounds?”

  1. Can I give my Mini Schnauzer 1/2 to 1 tsp of black strap molasses for arthritis? She is subject to pancreatitis so I do not know if the sugar would harm her.

  2. As with anything, the poison is in the dose. Start small and increase as tolerated, and I would only use in treats. That way you know that you aren’t overdosing at a couple treats a day.

  3. My dog had torn ligaments on both her hind legs, each about 6 months apart. To top it off, she was overweight as well. I did some research and found that ligaments can heel without surgery. I opted to take the long heeling process of no surgery.

    That meant she could not walk on her own, it was always on a leash and it was only to do her business. She could also not climb stairs for 2 years or jump on the sofa. So we removed the sofa cushion and put it on the floor for her whenever we went to bed. She slept on that down stairs.

    I also give her 2 tablespoons of molasses every day for almost 2 years. After 1 year, she was heeled from the first ligament that was torn. Eventually both of her legs heeled and she now runs up and down the stairs like it never happened. I not only saved $2,000 on surgery, but the molasses made her bones stronger.

    So yeah, I believe that molasses have been used for thousands of years for heeling. I take 1 tablespoon per day and boy do I have energy more so than not taking the stuff. Plus molasses is good if you are in your 40’s and you wish to have healthy bones.

  4. I gave my two very large German Shepherds some peanut butter with molasses in it the last two days. Today it made both of them throw up. So now I would not give my dogs anything that contains molasses in it, especially when it doesn’t say how it’s processed, what additives are used, etc.

    1. Madeleine says:

      Perhaps it’s the peanut butter which is not tolerated in some breeds. Our Stella loves it. She’s a Great Pyrenees.

  5. My daughter’s dog has a tumor in his leg bone. She has started giving him molasses to fight the cancer and he is taking chemo and pain killers. He is a big German Shepherd and has lost none of his zest for life – yet – he is 5 years old. I met a man in the 1960’s who had been cured of stomach cancer by a diet of veg, fruit, molasses and cider vinegar along with hot baths with Epsom salts in them. No meat was allowed.

    In six weeks he had vomited it all up. I would now add baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) but always see a naturopathist for more guidance on amounts of these substances and duration of treatment. Nature is best but the latest Chemo and targeted radiation treatments are very promising I believe. I once condemned them all but it is up to you.

  6. I have been giving my med haired dog a table spoon every 2-3 days, in her food, and it has almost stopped the shedding.

  7. Molasses when added to foods or when appearing high on the list of supplements creates blood sugar imbalance, causes diabetes and hyperactivity. It is best used in treats, not foods or supplements.

    The chromium in molasses helps those who are at risk of acquiring diabetes, improving their glucose tolerance, making it easier to metabolize sugar. However, government agencies in the UK and USA have warned that chromium is carcinogenic, nephrotoxic (kidney failure) etc. so daily use is not advised. Use it at your own risk.

    1. That’s weird. I’ve read numerous facts that black molasses can actually prevent diabetes and even cure it!

    2. Blackstrap molasses is low in glucose. Governments warn about a lot things that are natural because they don’t want you to use it. Many still believe that garlic is bad for dogs because the HSUS says so. They would have to eat tremendous amounts daily.

      However the Japanese breeds can be at risk when consuming garlic and the same goes for comfrey. They’ve been lying to us about comfrey and how it causes liver damage.

  8. How much Blackstrap molasses would you give a 70-80 pound Rottweiler per day?

    1. I would like to know this also. I have a Rottweiler too, about 80 pounds. Did you ever get the answer on this?

      1. Madeleine says:

        Yes, that is one opinion. I believe molasses has good minerals. However, it wouldn’t hurt to find out about dosage and side effects. I would imagine one spoon would be enough.

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