Can Dogs Eat Cotton Candy?

All of us have been there with our cherished dogs.

They display all the telltale indicators that they want your wonderful, sugary treat.

So you wonder to yourself, can dogs eat cotton candy?

No, dogs can not eat cotton candy.

But why is cotton candy terrible for dogs?

Dog cotton candy contains certain artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, artificial flavors, and preservatives like Xylitol, leading pets to severe health issues.

It is just refined sugar, and too much sugar might be unhealthy for your canine friends.

Dogs that overeat cotton candy risk suffering from upset stomachs and other digestive problems.

In the article, we’ve included helpful instructions on what to do if your dog consumes cotton candy.

Please continue reading about cotton candy ingredients and how they affect your dog’s health.

Ingredients In Cotton Candy

a lot of colorful cotton candy

All cotton candy is made of sugar.

The use of food coloring enhances its look.

Some sugar-free options swap out sugar for artificial sweeteners.

Why Cotton Candy Is Bad For Dogs

Cotton candy’s primary ingredient is white sugar, which is a wrong decision for your furry friend.

The additional components that may impact your dog’s health are listed below.

Refined Sugar

The issue with dogs eating cotton candy is the excessive amount of sugar contained in cotton candy.

Dogs should not consume cotton candy because it is only refined sugar, and too much of it will make your dog sick.

When dogs eat natural foods, they will produce sugar even though they require it for metabolism.

Put another way, they don’t need to consume sugar separately.

Dogs can become accustomed to eating sugary foods because they are highly addictive.

Because they may look for the candies and look to eat them whenever possible, this kind of situation is riskier.

Consuming sugary foods has the following immediate effects:

  • Vomiting

  • Blood sugar imbalance

  • Tummy ache

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Diarrhea

  • Long-term effects:

    • Obesity

    • Loss of appetite

    • Diabetes

    • Tooth decay

    • Cavities

Xylitol

Instead of sugar, many candies like cotton candy use the artificial sweetener Xylitol.

However, Xylitol is poisonous when given to dogs.

Canines that consume Xylitol-containing baked items may experience the following:

  • Seizures

  • Weakness

  • Fainting

  • Damage to the liver

  • Coma

  • In more severe cases, death

dog on left side pink cotton candy on right side

Artificial Color

Another issue with giving cotton candy to a dog is that some cotton candies contain artificial sweeteners.

These colors, nevertheless, could contain chemicals that are not always organic and could affect your dog’s health or trigger allergic reactions.

So please don’t take any chances regarding your dog’s diet; organic foods free of additives are always the most acceptable option.

What Happens If A Dog Eats Cotton Candy

Although cotton candy is not poisonous, you should watch your dog closely for signs of Xylitol poisoning or cotton candy wrapper blockage:

Vomiting/Diarrhea 

A dog’s natural response to hazardous food is to vomit or get sick.

The dog can naturally rid itself of the poison through vomiting and diarrhea.

Weakness 

That signifies Xylitol poisoning-induced hypoglycemia or dangerously low blood sugar.

Seizures/Shivering

  • Another indication of xylitol toxicity is this.

  • The dog’s body strains to operate when the blood sugar levels drop, which causes tremors, seizures, and collapse.

Shortness Of Breath 

When a dog swallows a candy wrapper, this can happen.

He will likely take short, rapid breaths because of his difficulties breathing.

Gagging/Choking 

Another sign is that the wrapper is choked in the dog’s esophagus.

The dog will start to gag uncontrollably as the muscles contract to evacuate the obstruction.

Difficulty Defecating 

Since having an intestinal obstruction will make pooping challenging.

Constipation indicates that something obstructs the bowels, whereas bloody or unusually colored stools suggest that the object has damaged the internal organs.

Can Cotton Candy Be Toxic To Dogs?

pink cotton candy on left side dog on right side

White sugar is frequently substituted with Xylitol as a healthier option.

However, while it’s completely harmless for people, it is harmful to dogs.

When Xylitol is ingested, the dog’s pancreas releases an abnormally high amount of insulin.

Blood sugar levels dramatically drop, leading to fatigue, shivering, weakness, convulsions, and unconsciousness.

It is regarded as toxic at 0.1 grams of Xylitol per kilogram of the dog’s body weight, which means that 3 grams of Xylitol are sufficient to cause toxicity in a dog that weighs 30 kg.

Can Dogs Have Cotton Candy As A Treat?

Most veterinarians advise that your pets get practically all the calories they require daily from reputable dog food sources.

The most important thing is that they get a balanced diet overall.

Do not give your dog any extra-sugary treats, especially cotton candy, if you have already given them their allotted amount.

Additionally, cotton candy is terrible for the dog’s teeth.

If puppies eat a lot of sweets with too much sugar, they will be more prone to infections and cavities.

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Cotton Candy With Xylitol?

Let’s say your dog has eaten cotton candy with Xylitol.

Call the veterinarian as soon as possible or even the pet poison hotline.

Inform them that your canine friend consumed Xylitol-containing food, as well as their breed, weight, and the amount of cotton candy they were able to finish.

Don’t be afraid to tell them if your dog has any further medical issues.

Ask your veterinarian for advice on what to do next.

Unless you have been told to, avoid attempting to induce vomiting in your dog.

If you can, bring them to the doctor’s office, and allow them to handle the matter.

Your dog’s body will absorb Xylitol if it stays in its system for more than 30 minutes, and you may start to notice specific consumption symptoms.

Depending on their size, weight, age, and other circumstances, you might even see effects 24 hours after they consume the Xylitol.

For these reasons, visit the veterinarian right away.

colorful cotton candy on left side dog on right side

My Dog Ate Cotton Candy – What Should I Do?

You should call your vet immediately or contact your neighborhood poison helpline if your dog eats cotton candy.

Tell them the breed, weight, and amount of cotton candy your dog has consumed.

Any existing medical issues must be disclosed.

Ask your vet for advice.

If your vet hasn’t advised it, don’t try to make your dog throw up.

It’s better to take your dog to the veterinarian so they can take care of it.

Over 30 minutes, Xylitol will be absorbed, and your dog will start to experience its effects.

When You Need To Visit a Vet

The signs of xylitol poisoning can show up immediately or take up to 24 hours to manifest, depending on your dog’s age, size, and condition.

Pet owners should seek medical attention for their puppies as soon as the symptoms appear.

It’s preferable to seek medical attention for their dog as soon as possible after consuming Xylitol.

Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Cotton Candy?

hand taking from pink cotton candy

So, can dogs eat cotton candy?

Dogs can not eat cotton candy, regardless of how unlikely they may suffer significant harm.

The risk is too significant when you can provide them with a healthier alternative to satisfy their appetite.

Excessive sugar consumption is not good for your canine’s digestive system.

As a responsible dog owner, don’t feed cotton candy to your dog.

While they are enjoyable for dogs, sweets aren’t always beneficial.

Most original cotton candy is sugar, making it an unhealthy dog treat.

Today, some cotton candy is manufactured with Xylitol, a sugar replacement that can be fatal to dogs.

Cotton candy is not a good choice for your dog to eat due to potential Xylitol toxicity and high sugar content.

Before You Go…

Now you know the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat cotton candy?”.

If you want to learn more, read the following articles too!

Mena Emad, DVM
Mena has a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. His expertise, passion for animal welfare, extensive knowledge, and experience in the field of veterinary medicine make him an excellent resource for our readers.