Either for our active dogs who hunt with us or for our dog at home who just completed a round of exercise or who just learned a new trick but seems exhausted afterward, we are thinking if we can give them our Body Armor sports drink to replenish their electrolytes, but is this safe?
While Body Armor may not necessarily cause toxicity, there are some health implications we should be aware of. This article explores everything you need to know about dogs and Body Armor sports drinks.
Body Armor Drink Facts
Body Armor is a company that manufactures hydrating sports drinks that are free from artificial ingredients. Mike Repole launched the company in 2011 with the goal of providing premium sports water for people who need extra hydration and a boost after and during sporting activities. Body
Body armor is offered in a variety of flavors, including:
- Body Armor SportWater
- LYTE Sports Drink
- Body Armor Sports Drink
- EDGE Sports Drink
The Body Armor Sports and Body Armor Lyte have the same ingredients, but the Lyte is made without sugar and has as little as 20 calories per bottle, while caffeine is only added to EDGE for an extra energy boost. The sports water is derived from reverse osmosis water and boasts electrolytes and a performance pH of 9+.
Can dogs drink body armor?
Technically, your dog can have little Body Armor without any issues, but it is good to understand that sports drinks like Body Armor were crafted for human consumption and ingredients such as caffeine, sweeteners, and possible additives may not be suitable for your dog.
In addition to electrolytes, Body Armor provides lots of vitamins and minerals. While this may sound like a piece of good news, there are some things you should take note of. Your dog’s quality kibble is sufficient to supply all its necessary nutrients, and when you give them sports drinks, you exceed their daily intake of these micronutrients.
For example, when you stuff your dog with vitamin E, they will likely experience nausea, diarrhea, weakness of the muscles, fatigue, and, in rare cases, bleeding.
Key Ingredients in Boy Armor and How They May Impact Your Dog
There are four variations of Body Armor, offered in over 16 flavors, and they don’t all contain the same ingredients, so we are going to analyze the ingredient we think could have an impact on your dog and list the particular body armor where it is found, so you can take note.
Caffeine
The toxicity of caffeine is not a concern here, as the caffeine in a bottle of BodyArmor EDGE is incapable of causing toxicity to your dog. For your dog to experience caffeine toxicity, it has to consume 70mg per lb of body weight, and a bottle of EDGE contains 100mg of caffeine, which means a dog of 5kg will need to consume over 5 bottles of EDGE to experience caffeine toxicity.
The problem here is that caffeine is a stimulant, and although it may help us get going for the day, it may have a different effect on your dog. Besides being restless, hyperactive, agitated, and vocalizing excessively, your dog will experience an increase in blood pressure and an increased heart rate.
Beyond caffeine, other stimulants like sugar may be present, which may heighten the symptoms. It is best not to give your dogs sports drinks, but opt for a safe alternative we will be sharing later on.
Other ingredients and their safety for dogs
| Ingredient | Safety for Dogs |
|---|---|
| Water | Safe in moderation |
| Electrolytes (sodium, potassium) | Safe in moderation |
| Sugars (e.g., sucrose, glucose) | Can be harmful in excess; choose drinks with minimal added sugars. |
| Artificial sweeteners (if present) | Not recommended; some can be toxic to dogs. |
| Natural flavors | Safe in moderation |
| Citric acid | Safe in small amounts |
| Preservatives (e.g., potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate) | Safe in small amounts, but some dogs may be sensitive. |
| Vitamins (e.g., B vitamins) | Safe in moderation |
Possible risks of giving Body Armor to your dog
While Body Armor could offer your dogs some vitamins and minerals, they could also contribute to some health problems:
Electrolyte Imbalance
While electrolytes are essential for maintaining hydration, in excessive amounts, electrolyte imbalances in dogs could occur. This can lead to dehydration, electrolyte toxicity, and kidney problems.
Additives and preservatives
Body Armor may contain additives, preservatives, or other chemicals that could be harmful or cause allergic reactions in some dogs.
Sugar
Some Body Armor products contain erythritol and stevia( like the Body Armor lyte), which are naturally occurring compounds that may not be considered sweeteners and are not toxic for dogs. They contain only 2 grams of sugar. These naturally occurring sugars are safe for dogs, but the sugar in Body Armor Sports is too much for your dog.
There are 36 grams of sugar in a 16-ounce Body Armor Sport, which is equivalent to 9 teaspoons of sugar. Imagine feeding your dog 9 teaspoons of sugar. Not only will your dog be placed at risk of obesity and diabetes, but it will also suffer tooth decay and other sugar-related illnesses over time.
Other Sports Drinks That Are Not Safe for Dogs
Just like Body Armor may not be toxic to your dogs but could create health challenges, there are other sports drinks that are not toxic but can still pose a health risk to your pooch:
Prime Energy and Prime Hydration
Prime, just like Body Armor, has some variations: the Prime Energy, which is caffeinated (200mg of caffeine per 8-ounce bottle), and the Prime Hydration, which isn’t caffeinated.
Prime Energy is obviously a bad choice for your dog. While the caffeine content may not cause toxicity, it will overstimulate your dog, leading to restlessness, hyperactivity, increased heart rates, and high blood pressure.
The Prime Hydration is going to oversupply your dog’s daily needed nutrients, making these drinks not a good source of electrolytes for your active dogs.
Alternatives to Body Armor for Dogs
These alternatives to the BodyArmor drink are super healthy and safe for your dog, and the good news is that they will supply the needed electrolytes for your active dogs. Here are some of them:
Fresh Water
There is no other drink that beats clean, fresh water. It quenches thirst perfectly and hydrates during and after exercise. A water bottle is always handy when you are out with your dog.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is another natural and excellent source of electrolytes. It is a great alternative to BodyArmor. It has low calories and lots of potassium which abates muscle cramps.
Homemade Solution
This homemade electrolyte solution should be given when your dog is clearly dehydrated. All you need is water, a pinch of baking soda, salt, and honey, and your dog is good to go. It works like magic!
Can dogs have Body Armor? Final Thoughts
Dogs can have body armor in very small quantities, but it is unsafe for the dog over time. The size and health status of your dog will determine if there will be an adverse reaction or not. But be sure that the caffeine or sweetener used is incapable of causing toxicity in your dog.
However, it is better to err on the side of caution. Give your dog fresh water, coconut water, or a homemade solution instead of sports drinks whenever they need to stay hydrated, as that is the safest method of doing so.
