Can dogs eat cotton candy? Who doesn’t like cotton candy? Of course, everyone does. This fairy floss that resembles cotton comes in various colors and flavors.
Cotton candy is kids’ favorite, but have you ever thought can dogs eat cotton candy? Well, the answer is No. Dogs cannot eat cotton candy as it is toxic for them.
You might be tempted to let your fellow have some of your candy, especially when the dog accompanies you at the beach or the park.
But beware, don’t make the mistake of feeding cotton candy to your pet. Want to know why? Keep on reading, as this blog will discuss why cotton candy is detrimental to dogs’ health.
Why Is Cotton Candy Bad for Dogs?
Cotton candy is meant for humans. It does not offer any health advantages to dogs. It is super harmful to pets. Here are the reasons:
1. Rich in Sugar
Cotton candy contains an excess of sugar which is unhealthy as it elevates the dog’s blood sugar level and causes pancreatitis, i.e., pancreas’ inflammation.
2. Artificial Sweeteners
Even the cotton candies labelled “sugar-free” are detrimental to dogs’ health because they contain artificial sweeteners instead of natural sugar. These artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, are no less than poison for dogs.
3. Artificial flavors
Candies and baked items often contain artificial flavors to make the taste more appealing. But the problem is that these artificial flavors are non-organic and contain a high amount of preservatives and chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions in dogs.
4. Harmful Chemical
The chocolate-flavored cotton candy is specifically bad for dogs as this type contains a chemical called “theobromine,” which is responsible for causing diarrhea, kidney flavor, vomiting, liver failure, and loss of appetite in dogs.
5. Causes Obesity
Cotton candy has a high amount of sugar and artificial flavors, which causes the dog to gain weight and become obese. This also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in dogs.
6. Choking Hazard
In some cases, the seller forgets to remove the plastic wrapper of the candy, which, if ingested, can cause choking in dogs.
What Are The Effects Of Refined Sugar On Dogs?
Can dogs eat cotton candy? The short answer is no. Cotton candy means eating granulated white sugar, which is toxic for dogs.
Dogs need sugar for their natural metabolism, but they get that from natural sugary foods like fruits. There is no need for extra sugar consumption.
Did you Know?
We have written many articles about what dogs can eat. But did you know about this one? Can Dogs Eat Apple Skin?
Candies are super addictive, and your dog can seek to eat them, which can threaten the canine’s health. Keep away sugary foods from dog’s reach because of the following harmful effects on health:
Short Term Effects
- Diarrhea
- Blood sugar imbalance
- Breathing problems
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
- Toothache
- Stomachache
Long Term Effects
- Type 2 diabetes
- Dental cavities
- Obesity
- Tooth decay
- Loss of appetite
Does Cotton Candy Leads To Xylitol Toxicity?
Can dogs eat cotton candy? The dogs cannot eat cotton candy because it causes xylitol toxicity. It is an artificial sweetener used in various candies and baked items. For humans, xylitol is a safer alternative to white sugar, but it is poisonous for dogs.
Once a dog eats cotton candy or anything containing xylitol, its body starts releasing insulin at a dangerously high level which causes sudden sugar levels to drop in the blood and lead to death.
Other harmful effects of xylitol toxicity caused by cotton candy include:
- Lethargy
- Liver damage
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Coma
- Death (in severe cases)
What To Do If Dog Eats Cotton Candy?
If your dog has cotton candy, take your dog to the vet immediately. Tell the doctor that the dog has eaten cotton candy and share other important details like the dog’s age, weight, or any additional health condition. Your vet will tell you what to do next.
Do not try to make the dog vomit on your own unless the doctor tells you. You might notice any symptom instantly because xylitol takes around half an hour to get absorbed in the body.
Some dogs might display symptoms after 24hrs depending upon their age, size, weight, and metabolism. But as soon as you know the dog has eaten the candy, take the pet to the hospital.
Wrapping Up
Can dogs eat cotton candy? Well, no. Dogs cannot eat cotton candy because it contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Ingredients like sugar, xylitol, artificial flavors, and other chemicals harm dogs’ health.
If you want to give some sweet treats to dogs, consider feeding healthy alternatives like apples, watermelons, blueberries, or peanut butter. Please, do not feed the dog cotton candy, as it harms the dog’s health.
