At the holiday season, it’s not uncommon to want to share your favorite goodies with your canine companion. But is it okay to give your dog a bite of your candy cane? Is there any reason to avoid doing this, or is it a safe idea? These lead to the overall question: can dogs eat candy canes?
5 Things Pet Parents in Cooper City, FL Should Know When Asking, “Can Dogs Eat Candy Canes?”
Below, you’ll find a quick breakdown of the information you need to know about giving your dog a candy cane. With the help of this information, you can know what to expect if your dog accidentally eats one, and you’ll know whether or not you can share your snacks with your pet at the holiday season, too, or any other time of the year.
5 important factors to keep in mind when asking, “can dogs eat candy canes” include:
Candy Canes May Contain Xylitol
One of the biggest reasons to skip giving candy canes to your dog is the potential risk of xylitol poisoning. Xylitol is found in a lot of candy canes and is used as an artificial sweetener. It is extremely dangerous to dogs, as they cannot metabolize it. In severe situations, it can lead to death.
When you have a dog, it’s usually best to skip buying any food that contains xylitol at all, because you don’t want to risk your dog ingesting it accidentally. If your candy canes do have xylitol, don’t hang them on the tree where your dog could get to them, and make sure she does not eat them. You’ll also want to make sure they aren’t located anywhere else in the house where your dog could easily get to them.
Candy Canes May Contain Chocolate
It is usually easy to tell by looking at the candy cane whether or not it contains chocolate. However, it is also a good idea to get in the habit of double-checking the label before you risk giving any candy cane to your dog, as it may contain hidden chocolate ingredients as well and can lead to your dog getting chocolate poisoning.
Chocolate is very dangerous for dogs in Cooper City and can be deadly if consumed in high enough quantities. The risk of giving your dog chocolate accidentally when you share a candy cane with her is high enough that it may not be worth it.
Candy Cane Wrappers Can be Harmful
Another factor to take into consideration when asking, “can dogs eat candy canes,” is that the wrappers themselves can be dangerous for your pet. Most candy canes are shrink-wrapped with their own individual wrappers. If your dog manages to get hold of one like this, she may try to ingest it, wrapper and all. Eating the wrapper portion of a candy cane can be very dangerous for your dog and may even be fatal in some instances.
Swallowing a plastic wrapper can cause an obstruction in your dog’s digestive system. If the obstruction is significant enough, it may cause portions of the digestive system to die off completely and can become deadly. Your dog will need to go to the emergency vet in Cooper City if she eats all or part of a candy cane wrapper.
Too Much Sugar Can be Dangerous
Although a little bit of sugar every now and then isn’t going to hurt your dog, it may give her a taste for sweet treats. The more sugar your dog eats on a regular basis, the more at risk she will become for diabetes.
Diabetes can develop in any dog of any age, but it is more common in dogs who are overweight and dogs who consume too much sugar. Since diabetes is a common problem for dogs, it is best to keep them away from foods that can potentially lead to this condition—including candy canes.
Some Candy Canes May be Okay in Moderation
In the end, it is best to avoid giving your dog candy canes altogether. However, there may be some instances in which it is okay to share a little bit of your favorite holiday treat with your furry friend. You should always consult with your veterinarian in Cooper City, FL with any questions regarding the best decisions to make for your pet.
If you still have the packaging for your candy cane and you can double-check the ingredients label to be sure it does not contain any xylitol, then it might be okay to share some of your candy cane with your dog. Additionally, if you are certain there is no chocolate in the candy cane, your dog may be able to have a little bit of it.
Even if the candy cane does not contain any flavors or ingredients that are potentially dangerous to your pet, it is still important to make sure she does not eat any of the wrapper. Additionally, it is necessary to keep your dog from overindulging in sugary sweets for her health.
So, What’s the Answer to the Question “Can Dogs Eat Candy Canes” in Cooper City, FL?
As you can see, it’s generally best to completely avoid giving your dog a candy cane at all. However, as long as you are sure there are no harmful substances in the candy cane and you can monitor how much your dog eats carefully, you can share a little bit with your furry friend.
If your dog accidentally eats a candy cane that contains a harmful ingredient or if she is injured by the sharp edges of a candy cane, take her to the emergency vet in Cooper City right away. The sooner you get your dog to the vet, the better off she will be on her road to recovery.
If you’re still asking the question, “can dogs eat candy canes,” or if you have any other questions regarding your pet’s health, contact our team at Embassy Lakes Animal Hospital today. Your pet’s health is extremely important to us, and we want nothing more than for them to live a long, healthy and happy life with you. Contact us today by scheduling an appointment online or calling us at (954) 432-5811.
