Whether your dog licks up some crumbs off the floor, or you are trying to make some creative dog treats, there are many reasons why you would want to know if food coloring is safe for dogs to eat. That will be the topic of today’s article, and I hope by the end of the post you will have a good understanding on the subject.
History of food coloring
Food coloring dates back hundreds of years. However, it gained prominence back in the early 1900s when it started being used in everyday food. Unfortunately, many people started to use food coloring as a way to hide mold and spoilage in their food. Not only was it deceiving and dangerous to conceal the rotten food, but some of the food coloring contained toxic chemicals such as mercury. For this reason, the FDA began strictly regulating the use of food coloring.
Is Food Coloring Safe For Dogs?
Yes, food coloring is safe for dogs. That being said, it is important to recognize that there are two different types of food coloring: artificial and natural
Artificial food coloring
Artificial food coloring is man made and is usually derived from different types of oils. All Artificial food coloring flavors must be approved by the Food and Drug Association (FDA). Just about every artificial food coloring, especially those sold in stores or on Amazon, must be FDA approved before it is allowed to be sold. As of now, there are around 10 different artificial food colors that are FDA approved.
Natural food coloring
As the name suggests, natural food coloring is 100% natural. It is usually derived from plants or minerals, and sometimes even animals. While natural food coloring does not have to be FDA approved, there is no need for worry because they are 100% safe for dogs, especially since dogs are omnivores (meaning they eat both meat and plants). Cats on the other hand are carnivores, and therefore natural food coloring offers them absolutely no nutritional value.
Should I used food coloring for dog food
This is totally up to you. It is important to note that dogs cannot see as many colors as humans. This means there is a good chance they will not be able to tell that you used food coloring. However, if it makes you happy, there is nothing wrong with giving your dog something with food coloring. While unlikely, you should be aware that there is a chance your dog has an allergy to food coloring. Therefore, we recommend closely monitoring your dog the first time you give them food coloring just to be safe.
Food coloring for dog treats
I think the best way to use food coloring is to insert it into homemade dog treats. Here is a picture of some really cool homemade dog treats from the website dog training nation.
