The truth about glycerine in dog food – healthy or harmful?

The good news is that vegetable glycerine is not harmful to health and is also approved as an ingredient in dog treats. Some argue that glycerine may even have benefits for dog health. Others consider it an unnecessary ingredient that is only included for shelf life.

When it comes to dog health, people are extra careful about knowing which ingredients are used – and how they affect a dog's body. In this article, we will shed light on what glycerine is, why it is used in dog food, and what effects it has on a dog's body.

What is glycerine and why is it used in dog treats?

Glycerine, also known as glycerol, is a colourless, slightly sweet-tasting liquid. It is one of the sugar alcohols found naturally in many fats and oils. From a chemical point of view, it is a trivalent alcohol consisting of a chain of three carbon atoms, to each of which a hydroxyl group is attached. This triol has valuable properties:

Energy supplier: Glycerine is quickly utilised by a dog's body and can be a direct source of energy.
Humectant: It binds to water and prevents snacks from drying out or becoming brittle.
Texture helper: Many semi-moist dog food products remain pleasantly soft and juicy thanks to glycerine. Glycerine prevents drying and improves texture.

Glycerine is found particularly often in soft chews, dried strips of meat or semi-moist dog food – wherever moisture should be retained and consistency should stay pleasantly soft. It is also used in dietary supplements.

Since glycerine is a natural compound found in many foods, we must ask: does it have a real benefit for dogs, or is it just for shelf life?

How is glycerine used by dogs' bodily systems?

Not only is glycerine easily absorbed by dogs, their metabolism can also use it efficiently. After being absorbed in the digestive tract, it enters the blood via the small intestine, where it is metabolised in different ways.

An important advantage of glycerine is that it provides quick releasing energy. In the liver, it is converted into glucose and is immediately available to the body as fuel. Active dogs that do a lot of running around or high-energy activities particularly benefit from this.

But that's not all glycerine can do: it also supports moisture balance. Due to its ability to bind to water, it helps to provide the body with sufficient fluid – an advantage for dogs that drink minimal amounts or eat mainly dry food.

In addition, glycerine has a positive effect on gut flora. Its slightly prebiotic properties promote the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria and thus support balanced digestion. This can offer valuable support, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive problems.

Not all glycerine is equal

Vegetable glycerine can be used in dog treats without a second thought. It is obtained from natural oils such as soybean, rapeseed or coconut oil and – fed in moderation – is well tolerated. Sustainable production without palm oil is also important for the sake of the environment.

The same cannot be said for low-quality glycerine: animal glycerine, which is obtained from fat, as well as synthetic glycerine, obtained from petroleum, are not suitable for dogs and should be avoided. If you focus on quality, you can feed your dog vegetable glycerine without hesitation.

Too much glycerine can cause diarrhoea – but only in large quantities

As with many ingredients, the dose makes all the difference. In high amounts, glycerine can have a mild laxative effect. However, this does not mean that normal consumption is problematic. A dog would have to eat large amounts – for example, several packs of treats in one day – to have digestive problems at all.

Nevertheless, it is worth keeping an eye on the intake amount. If you follow the feeding recommendations, you don't have to worry. In case of uncertainty, it may be helpful to ask the vet for advice.

And high-quality dog snacks contain only vegetable glycerine. Not only is this safe, it can even have positive effects on digestion and moisture balance.

What should you pay attention to when buying dog treats?

Not every product that contains glycerine is automatically safe. Pay attention to the following points:

Give preference to vegetable glycerine: It should come from sustainable sources such as coconut or rapeseed oil – ideally without palm oil.
Specific labelling: ‘Glycerine’ without further indication of origin is a warning signal.
No unnecessary additives: Good dog snacks come without artificial flavour enhancers or sugar – they consist only of valuable ingredients.
Moderate intake: Snacks containing glycerine are a supplement, not a staple food.

Are there dogs that should avoid glycerine?

Glycerine is basically harmless for all dogs. Nevertheless, there are some cases in which reduced feeding can be helpful:

Dogs with sensitive stomachs – if your dog is prone to soft stools, a smaller amount may be better tolerated.
Dogs with diabetes – as glycerine is converted to glucose, dogs with diabetes should consume minimal amounts.

In case of uncertainty, a visit to the vet may be useful to check the individual tolerability.

Is glycerine in dog treats a cause for concern?

No, vegetable glycerine is absolutely not a cause for concern. Vegetable glycerine is a natural component of many foods and can even be beneficial for dogs. It supports moisture balance, provides an easily digestible source of energy and can positively affect gut health.

Its presence in high-quality dog snacks in particular helps to improve consistency, retain moisture and optimise taste – without artificial additives.

If you pay attention to quality and clear labelling, you can offer your dog treats with glycerine without a second thought. Because in the end, it is not only what is in it that counts – but also where it comes from.

The most important things at a glance:

Glycerine is a natural ingredient – it is mainly used to add moisture to healthy dog snacks.
Vegetable glycerine is the best choice – it comes from natural sources such as rapeseed or coconut oil and is well tolerated.
Fast energy & support for digestion – glycerine provides the body with energy, binds moisture and can positively affect gut flora.
Safe for dogs – when fed in natural snacks and in moderation, glycerine is a sensible addition.