Can Dogs Eat Candy in Plymouth Meeting, PA?

When you have a pet in your household, it’s tempting to share your favorite treats with your furry friend. A question that may arise is: can dogs eat candy? Although your dog might seem like she’s interested in eating candy the humans in the family are enjoying, it’s best to avoid giving her sweets if possible.

6 Things You Should Know When Asking “Can Dogs Eat Candy” in Plymouth Meeting, PA

There are some types of candy that are safe for dogs in small quantities, should they somehow gain access to them. However, as mentioned above, you should always avoid giving your dog candy.

In the article below, we’ll go into more detail about what to know with regard to giving your dog candy. Read on to find out more!

Is Sugar Okay?

In small quantities, sugar is usually okay for dogs. Dogs’ bodies can process sugar, and dogs like the taste of it just like humans do. However, the type of sugar that is found naturally in fruit is usually best for dogs, as processed sugar for humans is not part of their natural diets.

A little bit of processed sugar won’t hurt your dog, but might cause some stomach upset or diarrhea. Larger quantities of processed sugar may lead to vomiting as well, which can contribute to dehydration if it goes on for too long.

What About Fake Sweeteners?

Never allow your dog to eat fake sweeteners. Some types of artificial sweeteners are unsafe for dogs because they cause severe stomach upset that can lead to dehydration. However, Xylitol specifically can poison dogs even in an extremely small amount, so you should avoid Xylitol completely with your dog.

Xylitol poisoning causes low blood sugar, seizures, and liver failure in dogs within a couple of days. It is almost always fatal. If you know or suspect your dog has eaten something containing Xylitol, take her to the emergency vet in Plymouth Meeting right away.

Which Candies are Toxic?

As just discussed, any candy containing Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. Pay attention to candies that contain real fruit ingredients as well, as grapes and grape juice can both be toxic to dogs too.

Chocolate is another very common type of candy known for being toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it becomes; however, all chocolate is harmful.

White chocolate contains the least cocoa and therefore is the least toxic, while very dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate contain the most. If your dog eats chocolate, call the veterinarian in Plymouth Meeting, PA or emergency vet for more information.

Which Candies are Safe?

Although you should not make a habit out of giving your dog candy often, if your dog eats a piece or two of sugar-based candy without artificial sweetener or chocolate, or somehow gets into them, it’s not necessarily an immediate emergency. Make sure the flavor is not grape, and always supervise your dog with candy to prevent any choking hazards.

Below are the types of candies that aren’t as dangerous for your dog to get into:

• Jolly Ranchers
• Skittles
• Starburst
• Smarties
• Candy corn

What are Some Other Risks?

Along with knowing which candies can be safe for your dog to have and which ones they should avoid altogether, you should also be aware of some of the potential risks that come with dogs eating candy in general.

Below are some risks that can come from dogs eating candy:

Choking

One risk associated with dogs eating too many sweets is the potential risk of choking. Candy for humans is usually designed to be chewed or sucked on and ingested by a human, but dogs don’t understand this and may try to swallow the whole piece, leading to choking.

Additionally, dogs may try to eat the wrapper from candy. This can cause choking or intestinal blockages as they try to digest it.

Overeating

Finally, dogs who become used to being fed candy may develop too much of a taste for it and may want to eat it all the time. Overeating of sugary foods can lead to diabetes in dogs, just like it can in humans.

How Can You Keep Sweets from a Dog?

The best way to prevent your dog from eating sweets is to store them in the refrigerator or on a very high shelf that your dog cannot possibly reach, even if she gets onto the counter.

It’s also important to secure your garbage can so that any candy or wrappers that get thrown away aren’t an easy target. Use a can with a locking lid to reduce this risk.

Call The Village Vets in Plymouth Meeting, PA for More Information About Whether or Not Dogs Can Eat Candy

If your dog accidentally ingests a little bit of candy, there probably isn’t anything to be worried about as long as the candy is not chocolate and does not contain artificial sweeteners. However, if she eats a harmful substance or ingests a lot of candy of any kind, you should contact the vet or emergency vet.

Harmful substances like chocolate and Xylitol will require emergency vet treatment. Overeating of other candies may be able to be monitored at home, depending on what your regular vet suggests. Always follow your vet’s advice regarding treating your dog for overeating candy.

If you’re trying to answer the question, “can dogs eat candy?” or if your dog has eaten something you’re not sure is safe, contact our team at The Village Vets in Plymouth Meeting today. Our veterinarians will be able to answer all of your questions and provide you with the best advice on what you should do for your pet. Never hesitate when it comes to your pet’s health, call us today at (484) 820-1700.