My dog

Schedules, units and retailers all change with this.

Can dogs eat it?

Can dogs eat sweets?

Only with care No. Sugary sweets are not poisonous in themselves, but they can trigger pancreatitis, and many hide xylitol, chocolate or raisins.

Why

The sugar and fat in sweets can inflame the pancreas, which is very painful for dogs, and signs may not appear for up to four days (Pet Poison Helpline). The bigger danger is what else is in them: sugar-free sweets and candy canes often contain xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs (Blue Cross), and chocolate and raisins are common too. Wrappers can choke a dog or block the gut. An AKC vet says dogs should not have any sweets, artificial or otherwise.

Signs to watch for

If your dog ate sweets and sugar

Check the packet for xylitol, chocolate and raisins. If you find any of them, call your vet now. Otherwise watch for vomiting, tummy pain or constipation over the next few days, and call your vet if they appear or if wrappers were eaten.

If your dog has eaten something toxic

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet now. Do not wait for signs, and do not make your dog sick unless a vet tells you to. Take the packet with you.

Australia: poison advice lines
  • Animal Poisons Helpline: 1300 869 738. Open 24/7. Its own home page says consultations with a Poisons Information Consultant are available from $75 AUD. Older pages still call it free: RSPCA Australia's knowledgebase (last updated December 2023) and the helpline's own 2019 launch news, so ask about the fee when you call.
United States: poison advice lines
United Kingdom: poison advice lines
  • Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509 000. Open 24 hours, run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service. £35 per call 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, £45 at all other times including bank holidays, paid by card (Amex not accepted). If your pet shows collapse, seizures or breathing difficulty, it says to contact your vet immediately instead.
Canada: poison advice lines
  • Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. Its own site says it is available throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean, 24/7. A USD 89 per incident fee applies, which includes follow-up consultations.
New Zealand: poison advice lines
  • Animal Poisons Helpline: 0800 869 738. Open 24/7, the same service as in Australia. New Zealand's National Poisons Centre says it is available to all New Zealand pet owners and that charges do apply; the amount for New Zealand callers is not stated.
  • National Poisons Centre (for people). New Zealand's National Poisons Centre handles human poisonings and says it is not expert in animal poisonings. For a pet, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline.

How to give it safely

Leave them out, and keep sweets out of reach, especially at Christmas, Easter and Halloween.

This is general guidance, your vet sets the actual schedule. Puppies, small dogs and dogs with a health condition can react to smaller amounts. Check with your own vet before changing what your dog eats.

Other foods people ask about

Chocolate No, toxic No. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs. Cocoa powder and dark chocolate are the most dangerous. Honey Only with care A little honey is safe for most adult dogs, but raw honey is not for puppies, and diabetic dogs should not have it. Marshmallows Only with care Best not. Marshmallows are nearly all sugar, and any made with xylitol are toxic to dogs. Check the label. Popcorn Yes, in moderation Plain, air-popped popcorn is fine in small amounts. Buttered, salted or flavoured popcorn is not, and unpopped kernels can choke. Xylitol (sugar-free gum and sweets) No, toxic No, never. Xylitol, found in sugar-free gum, sweets, some nut butters and medicines, is poisonous to dogs and can crash their blood sugar within 30 minutes.

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-09-29.