6 Dangerous Halloween Candies for Dogs

While holidays are exciting times for pets and owners alike, it’s crucial to understand safe treats for your dog and avoid dangerous Halloween candies. Your dog shouldn’t get any treats from the bowl of Halloween candies, no matter how hard they beg. It’s not a great idea to give your dog any Halloween candy for many reasons. Certain types of candies (such as those that contain xylitol and dark chocolate) can cause your dog to become very sick and even die. Some candy can cause an upset stomach.

Dogs can develop obesity and other health issues if they consume sweets. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has consumed some sweets.

Chocolate

It is not surprising that chocolate is a common cause of concern for our dogs, especially since it’s readily available and enticing to them. Similar to food allergies in dogs, chocolate toxicity can cause severe reactions. Depending on what type of chocolate is eaten and how much, it can be harmful to dogs. The darker the chocolate the more toxic; in general, milk chocolate is safer. Semi-sweet is also less toxic. Dark chocolate is toxic.

It is also important to consider the size and amount of chocolate consumed by your dog. A chihuahua that eats twenty bars of chocolate will be at risk, while a Labrador Retriever who eats one fun-sized milk chocolate bar is more likely to be safe. Be prepared to tell your vet the amount and type of chocolate your dog ate when you contact them. Your vet will be able to determine what treatment is best.

Why is chocolate poisonous to humans but not dogs?

Theobromine, caffeine and other active chemicals are found in chocolate. These chemicals are more potent in dogs because they are not metabolized as efficiently as by humans.

The signs of chocolate toxicity can vary depending on what type of chocolate was consumed and how much. It may take several days for the symptoms to appear, so do not assume your dog is fine just because it appears and behaves normally.

A dog that is chocolate toxic may show only:

A few dogs may show signs of more serious disease, such as muscle tremors and seizures.

Contact a vet immediately if you suspect that your dog may have eaten even a tiny amount of chocolate.

The Chocolate Covered Raisins

The combination of the toxic chocolate with the risks associated with raisins can be a problem for pets. Some dogs can become seriously ill and even die from kidney failure if they eat even one raisin, grape.

The signs can look similar to those of chocolate toxicity. However, they will often focus on excessive thirst, urination and vomiting.

If your dog has eaten raisins, grapes or chocolate covered raisins in any quantity it is vital that you have them checked immediately.

Hard Candies

Dogs can have problems with hard candies, particularly the ones that are sugar-free and may contain xylitol. A very small amount can lead to a drop in dog’s blood sugar, which may cause seizures, coma and even death. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has consumed even one sugar-free, hard candy.

If multiple hard candies are “stuck together” in the stomach, they can cause obstructions. The candy can be easily inhaled through the windpipe because it is slippery.

It is possible for dogs to get by with only an upset stomach if they eat a small amount of hard candy. However, xylitol-containing candies or more may cause more problems. Vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy are common symptoms. They can progress to abdominal pain, lack of appetite and restlessness. Dogs with severe neurological symptoms, such as seizures or other signs of neurologic disease, may begin showing up.

Contact your veterinarian immediately and tell them the exact weight and type of candy that your dog may have eaten.

Candy Corn

Candy corn, and sugary sweets are found everywhere in homes around Halloween. These aren’t toxic for dogs but they can make them sick or cause serious digestive problems.

Dogs can suffer from severe abdominal pain, gas and bloating when they eat these high-sugar treats. The inflammation of the intestines can spread and affect the pancreas in sensitive dogs. This leads to pancreatitis. It is important to treat this disease, which can be fatal in some cases.

The symptoms of an issue with these candies may be similar to the ones mentioned previously, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Other signs include restlessness, sweating, lethargy, or even a feeling like you are going to faint. Pancreatitis symptoms are more severe, persistent and can take up to several days before they become apparent. Some dogs that get sick after eating candy corn get well, then fall sick again. Pet parents might overlook that candy corn was to blame in these situations.

If you suspect that your dog has consumed high-sugar treats like candy corns, contact your veterinarian. However, less than two teaspoons of sugar is safe for medium to large breed dogs.

Candy Lollipops

The dangers of lollipops are similar to those associated with other sweets. Lollipops can cause choking, block the digestive tract, become slippery and obstruct the windpipe when they are wet, and have a high sugar content. They are bad for your dog’s health in many ways.

The signs of your dog eating one or several candies are the same as the candies above. You should call your vet with the information you have about your pet, including what it may have eaten. They can then determine the appropriate treatment.

Candy Wrappers

The wrappers of candies can be more problematic than the candy itself, as most dogs do not remove them before eating. Wrappers can cause obstructions in the gastrointestinal tract if eaten in large quantities. Wrappers can cause inflammation of the digestive tract even in small quantities. This often leads to poor appetite, nausea, and diarrhea.

If the condition is severe, it may require surgery to remove wrappers. If the condition is not severe, it may only be necessary to take medication that soothes the intestinal tract.

While you’re talking with your vet about what your dog ate, be sure to include the number of candy wrappers that you think may also have been consumed.

How do I handle a dog that has eaten Halloween candy?

It is important that you seek immediate advice if your pet has consumed Halloween candy. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has consumed any Halloween candy.This will help determine what steps are necessary to protect your pet. You should not wait until your pet shows symptoms. Once they are sick, it means that some toxic substances have been consumed and the treatment will be much more expensive and difficult.

A visit to your veterinarian may be necessary, especially if you pet has eaten dark chocolate or anything that contains raisins or more than two or three candy wrappers. If your veterinarian is open or not, call your local emergency clinic.

You can also contact the poison control center. You can call several hotlines including the ASPCA (r) or Contact with a Vet. You should only call a hotline that is geared towards veterinary issues. They will then report their recommendations to the veterinarian who will treat your pet. Calling the hotline could help you get the right treatment faster, but do not delay going to your veterinarian. Calling while waiting for an appointment could prove very useful.

Perhaps most importantly, don’t panic! You pet will sense how you feel, so if your anxiety is high, it’s likely that they are too. Keep calm, and talk to your vet about the problem.

Keep your pets safe during Halloween

A pound saved by prevention is equal to an ounce spent on treatment. Keep all candies up high and away from your pet. You should avoid bringing in anything toxic for your pets. Don’t bring dark chocolates or xylitol candies into your home. Bring it with you to the office as a special treat. You can leave any leftovers at work. There are many pet-safe Halloween recipes you can use if you want to give your pets treats.

Keep emergency numbers in your phone and post them somewhere where everyone can see it. Make sure to have emergency pet supplies readily available during holidays. Post the information in a visible place in your home and put the phone numbers on it. Include the contact info for your vet, emergency clinics in your area, as well as your dog’s weight.