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6 Most Toxic Halloween Candies for Dogs

6 Most Toxic Halloween Candies for Dogs

Updated On September 6th, 2018

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Reviewed By Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

It can be fun to encourage your pet to enjoy holidays with you, and it might be natural to wonder: can dogs eat chocolate or candy to share in the fun this Halloween? The short answer is “no.” While all sweets are potentially dangerous to dogs, some candies can cause major trouble and become a medical emergency if ingested. Here are Halloween's scariest treats for dogs:

Chocolate

Chocolate is the greatest danger around Halloween time, but not all [chocolates are the same](https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/chocolate/). According to Dr. Kelly Ryan, director of Veterinary Services at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Medical Center of Mid-America, the danger with chocolate is that it contains theobromine, which is very similar to caffeine.

“The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. Milk chocolate doesn’t contain as much theobromine, so it isn’t as dangerous for dogs as dark chocolate,” Ryan says. 

White chocolate has very little theobromine, so it's highly unlikely that it would poison a dog, according to Ryan, however, it should still not be fed to your dog.

The weight of the dog, the type of chocolate ingested and the amount of chocolate ingested all impact just how serious the toxicity could be, says Dr. Jeff Werber, owner and chief medical director at Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles.

“Symptoms of chocolate toxicity range from gastrointestinal disturbances, like nausea and vomiting, to neurologic signs, with possible trembling, seizures, elevated heart rate and abnormal heart rhythms, hyperthermia, collapse and, in severe cases, death,” says Werber.

If your dog eats dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate, Ryan recommends calling your veterinarian as soon as possible, especially if you notice any changes in your dog’s health or behavior. “If your dog is old, very young, or has an underlying disease, it is important to call your veterinarian right away if he or she eats any type of chocolate,” Ryan adds.

Chocolate-Covered Raisins

Chocolate-covered raisins combine two potential health issues: toxicity from chocolate and toxicity from raisins. “In this case, the greater concern is from the raisins, not the small amount of chocolate, unless your dog is very small and has ingested a large amount of the candy,” says Werber.

Both raisins and grapes contain a toxin that can cause renal failure in some dogs. “We don’t know which dogs will display this sensitivity and we also don’t know the number of raisins or grapes the dog would have to eat to trigger the reaction,” says Werber. “Since there is no way to test for it or predict the risk, we generally do not give dogs raisins or grapes.” If you suspect your dog may have ingested a raisin, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Sugar-Free Candy

Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener that can be found in gum, mints and some foods, including candy.

“While it is safe for humans, it can cause life-threatening low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs,” according to Ryan. “Symptoms of Xylitol poisoning include lethargy, vomiting, seizures, and collapsing.”

If you suspect your dog has eaten a product with Xylitol, contact your veterinarian right away.

Hard Candies and Lollipops

Dogs seem to love the taste of hard candies and suckers, but hard candy poses a choking hazard, according to Ryan. “They can easily be swallowed whole and can become lodged in the windpipe.”

In addition, hard candy can break into smaller, jagged and potentially harmful pieces, says Werber. “The stick in a lollipop is also cause for concern, as it can be a choking hazard or get stuck in the throat or in the intestine,” says Werber. Hard candies can also cause damage or even breakage to your dog's teeth as they attempt to chew it.

Wrapped Candies

You can't expect your dog to remove the wrapper before eating candy, which means he might end up swallowing paper, plastic or even foil along with the sweets.

“If there are enough candies ingested, the wrappers can cause an obstruction in the intestinal tract,” Werber says. “This can result in vomiting, and if not addressed, can prevent elimination and even cause the bowel to perforate.”

High-Fat Candies

Candies that contain large quantities of nuts are a concern because their high oil/fat content could cause pancreatitis.

“The more severe symptoms of pancreatitis may not show for several days after eating the candy,” says Ryan. “If your dog ate candy, watch for abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite, and call your veterinarian right away if you notice any of the symptoms.”

Large amounts of candy, especially high-fat candy, can also cause bloat in dogs. While this condition can resolve with time, dogs with food bloat can be in a lot of pain, may have gastric upset (e.g. vomiting, diarrhea) and are more likely to develop gastric dilatation-volvulus, a life-threatening medical emergency in which the stomach twists upon its axis, Ryan says.

If you want to treat your pet on Halloween, consider [dog-safe treats and chews](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-treats-and-chews?ref=6MostToxicHalloweenCandiesDogs_PetCoachEcomm), or [stuff a treat toy ](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-ways-to-stuff-a-treat-toy)with their favorite goodies, like dog-safe peanut butter or plain yogurt.

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