Is Candy Dangerous for Dogs?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Dogs have a knack for getting into things they shouldn’t—and candy is a big one. Very few candies are safe for dogs, and none provide any significant health benefits. Whether candy is actually dangerous depends on the type, how much your dog ate, and the size of your dog. Some candies, especially those with chocolate or artificial sweeteners, are toxic enough that even a small amount can be cause for concern.

If you’re not sure how much candy your dog ate, a quick call to the ASPCA poison control hotline can help you assess the risk. If your dog ate a lot or is showing signs of a negative reaction, contact your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to the nearest emergency vet.

How Much Candy Is a Problem?

We spoke to Dr. Brittney Nguyen, an emergency veterinarian at VEG ER for Pets, to determine what kind of candy is most dangerous for dogs and how much your dog can eat before symptoms of gastrointestinal upset or toxicity are likely to develop.

The calculations below are rough estimates based on body weight, offered as a guideline to help you determine next steps if your dog eats candy. If your pup develops vomiting or diarrhea, becomes lethargic or restless, or has a seizure, take them to the nearest emergency vet, no matter the amount of candy they ate.

Sugar-Free Candy

While sugar-free candy can be an attractive choice for humans due to its reduced calorie content, it can be deadly for dogs—even in small amounts. “Sugar-free candy often contains xylitol,” says Dr. Nguyen, “which causes dangerously low blood sugar in animals.” If your dog consumes any amount of sugar-free candy, consult your veterinarian. Head straight to the emergency vet if your dog develops signs of toxicity like vomiting, weakness, loss of coordination, lethargy, or seizures.

Candy Canes

Regular candy canes made with real sugar pose little risk of toxicity for dogs in small amounts. A small dog might eat 1–2 mini candy canes with no problems, while a medium or large-breed dog may be completely fine.

Dr. Nguyen says, “Dogs can digest pure sugar, but a lot of it upsets their stomach and can cause vomiting and diarrhea.” The sugar and peppermint in candy canes could cause stomach upset, but the bigger risks of candy canes are choking and gastrointestinal blockages.

Candy Corn

Like candy canes, candy corn made with real sugar or corn syrup aren’t likely to cause toxicity in dogs. Ingesting even one piece of sugar-free candy corn, however, could be dangerous due to the xylitol content.

A small dog may be able to eat a few pieces of regular candy corn with no problems, says Dr. Nguyen, but servings larger than ½ ounce of high-sugar candies could cause digestive upset. If your dog eats candy corn, keep an eye out for signs of abdominal discomfort like gas, bloating, or diarrhea.

Caramel

Pure caramel is typically made with sugar, butter, and heavy cream. As long as it doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, some dogs can eat small amounts of caramel candy without issue. Again, however, consuming too much sugar (more than ½ ounce for a small dog) can cause digestive upset.

Caramels made with butter or cream could be problematic as well, especially if your dog is lactose-intolerant. If your dog eats too much caramel, they may develop gas, bloating, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Chocolate

Dogs should never eat chocolate, but certain kinds are more dangerous than others. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two chemicals dogs are unable to metabolize properly. Dark chocolate contains higher concentrations of these chemicals than milk chocolate, but the toxic dosage of either depends on your dog’s body weight.

If your dog eats any amount of chocolate, contact your veterinarian. Head straight to the emergency vet if your pup shows signs of chocolate poisoning like vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, rapid heart rate, or seizures.

Cotton Candy

Cotton candy is spun sugar, sometimes with added color and flavor. As with other high-sugar candies, some dogs can eat small amounts of cotton candy with no issue. Other dogs may develop signs of gastrointestinal upset if they eat more than ¼ ounce per 10 pounds of body weight. If your dog eats too much cotton candy, they may develop gas, bloating, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Gummies

If your dog eats a few gummy bears, they may not experience any negative effects. Gummy candy generally isn’t dangerous for dogs in small amounts unless it contains xylitol—in which case it’s an emergency if your dog eats any.

Small dogs may experience digestive upset if they consume more than ½ ounce of high-sugar candy like gummies, while medium or large-breed dogs might tolerate higher amounts of sugar with no ill effect.

Licorice

Licorice is a chewy candy flavored with an extract made from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Because it contains a toxic compound called glycyrrhizin, candy flavored with real licorice root extract could be harmful for dogs in any amount.

Glycyrrhizin can cause dangerous changes in blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances in dogs. Some dogs can eat small amounts of artificially flavored licorice candy with no ill effect—but it’s not worth taking the risk.

Marshmallow

Marshmallows are the only candy-like food on this list dogs can eat safely. They’re traditionally made from sugar, corn syrup, water, and gelatin—ingredients that aren’t considered toxic for dogs, though it’s wise to watch your pup’s sugar intake.

Some pet parents use marshmallows as pill pockets for dogs with food allergies, since they’re low in calories and easy to mold around medication. A few small marshmallows a day shouldn’t be a problem for pups taking pills.

Nerds

Traditional Nerds candy is primarily made from various forms of sugar with added colors and flavors. As long as they’re made with real sugar and not xylitol, some dogs can eat nerds in small amounts without serious side effects. If your pup has trouble tolerating sugar, however, they could experience digestive upset after eating just a teaspoon or two. Consult your vet if your dog develops vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.

Peppermint

As long as it doesn’t contain xylitol, peppermint candy generally isn’t considered dangerous for dogs in small amounts. Pure peppermint oil is toxic to dogs, but peppermint candy often contains artificial flavor or such low concentrations of peppermint oil that it’s unlikely to cause a problem.

Keep an eye out for signs of oral irritation or respiratory distress, and contact a vet if your dog eats any peppermint candy that contains xylitol.

Sour Candy

Sour candy is typically made from sugar, corn syrup, and water with various flavors and colors. It gets its distinctive tartness from the addition of acids like malic acid or citric acid. When it comes to your dog’s health, sour candy poses several risks. Your pup could choke on hard sour candy or experience oral irritation or digestive upset related to the acidity or high sugar content. Artificially sweetened sour candies containing xylitol could be toxic.

If your dog eats sour candy, keep an eye out for signs of gastrointestinal upset and seek emergency veterinary care if you suspect they’ve ingested xylitol.

Are Any Candies Safe for Dogs?

Though not all candies are toxic to dogs, a lot are—and it’s better to stick with dog-specific snacks. “Though not all dogs will have symptoms if they happen to get into candy,” says Dr. Nguyen, “that doesn’t mean it’s safe.” If you want your pup to participate in holiday festivities or spoil them with a tasty treat, healthy human foods like unsalted popcorn and frozen berries are better options.

Your local pet store may also sell specialty dog treats, or you can make your own at home. There are plenty of easy recipes featuring pumpkin for pups, and homemade frozen dog treats are perfect for hot summer days. And if you really want to go all-out, try one of these dog-friendly cake recipes!