When looking for a pet supplement in liquid form, you will often find it is based in vegetable glycerin. The majority of liquid pet supplements as well as many treats and food contain this ingredient. So you may have wondered about the safety of vegetable glycerin based tinctures for dogs and pets. Let’s dive into this supplement base and understand what to look for when choosing your pet’s next liquid supplement (or treat).
What is Glycerin?
Glycerin is a type of sugar alcohol. When used in combination with herbs or medicine, the product is called a glycerite. Glycerin can be derived from many sources, including animal fats, petroleum by-products, or vegetables. Most people think of soap when they think of glycerin, and that’s because it originally was just considered a byproduct of soap making.
It is generally a colorless and odorless liquid with a sweet taste that makes it quite palatable for ingestion and can mask the taste of less desirable tasting supplements. You can find glycerin in almost anything, from foods, drugs/supplements, and even cosmetics. Even though it is very commonly included in many products, its quality and purity can be questionable, especially in supplements. For this reason, it’s important to know your company’s sourcing and to make sure you know how to decipher what products are safe and high quality vs. low-quality, unsafe products.
What is Vegetable Glycerin?
Vegetable glycerin is glycerin made from plant oils, such as coconut, soybean or palm oils. It is widely used in the food industry and is the most commonly used form of glycerin in the pet supplement industry.
Is Vegetable Glycerin Safe for Dogs and Pets?
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), vegetable glycerin is safe and well-tolerated by pets. Since it is a sugar alcohol, dogs don’t absorb or use glycerin for calories or fuel. This makes it ideal for pets with health concerns, especially with diabetes, since it does not affect blood sugar or add calories to the diet. In addition to vegetable glycerin being safe for diabetic dogs, it is also easier on the liver in comparison to alcohol-based tinctures, making it suitable for just about any pet.
