Can Dogs Eat Gummy Bears?

Everyone loves the tiny bear-shaped colorful gummy bears. But you have to wonder, are gummy bears safe for dogs?

The simple answer is no. Gummy bears are bad for your dog’s health. Some ingredients found in gummy bears are toxic for dogs. Xylitol is one of them and has the potential to kill your dog. Excessive consumption of gummy bears can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other health complications. 

Let’s dig deeper and explore this matter for your dog’s safety.

Can Dogs Eat Gummy Bears Safely?

Sour and sweet gummy bears come in many shapes and sizes. Your dog can find gummy bears anywhere; on the sidewalk, under tables at a cafe, or even on your kitchen floor. Read on to learn more about what gummy bears are dangerous for dogs and how even non-toxic treats can adversely affect your dog’s health.

Some gummy bear ingredients are more dangerous than others. Here are a few ingredients you should always avoid:

Xylitol

Xylitol is a naturally-derived sugar substitute, which is extremely toxic to dogs. It is found primarily in sugar-free gummy bears and reduced-sugar food. 

The danger in xylitol is how it interacts with your pet’s digestive system. It absorbs very quickly into your pet’s bloodstream and triggers their pancreas to release insulin. This results in hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This can also result in death if untreated, so it’s important to contact a local vet.

Any xylitol amount is bad for your dog, but the average toxic amount is 50 milligrams of xylitol per pound of dog’s body weight. Two sugar-free gum pieces containing 1 gram of xylitol per piece can cause severe hypoglycemia in a 45-pound dog. If your dog ate up to 10 pieces, it could potentially cause liver failure.

Symptoms of Xylitol Poisoning

Xylitol poisoning symptoms develop rapidly, usually within 15-20 minutes of consumption. Here are a few signs of xylitol poising:

  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Depression or lethargy
  • Lack of coordination or difficulty standing or walking
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Coma

In severe cases, the dog can develop seizures or liver failure. Dogs that develop liver failure often show signs of hypoglycemia.

Sugar

Humans enjoy eating sugary treats like gummy bears, but you shouldn’t feed them to dogs. Excessive sugar consumption can be harmful to dogs as it is for people.   

Dogs need healthy, unprocessed sugar to function properly. They need carbohydrates [which break down into sugar] to live and operate. We just don’t need to give them gummy bears since they have no real, nutritious value. Excessive amounts can cause inflammation in the dog’s body.

How to Make Gummy Bears FOR DOGS!! | RECIPE

What should I do if my dog eats gummy bears?

You’ll have to take care of a few things before heading out to the vet. You can give your dog water to drink and flush out the toxins. This will reduce the risk of dehydration and help your dog relax.

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If your dog ate a xylitol-free gummy bear, there’s no reason to be worried. Just make sure that you keep all gummy bears away to avoid problems in the future.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten a bowl of gummy bears containing xylitol, please consult your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately.

Do not induce vomiting or give your dog any medication unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. It is important to get the right treatment for your pet as quickly as possible. 

As some dogs may be hypoglycemic, inducing vomiting can make their condition worse.

Dog-Friendly Gummy Bear Alternatives

If your dog can’t resist colorful, chewy gummy bears, you can try these recipes. You can use a variety of healthy and delicious ingredients for this gummy dog treat recipe.

Bone Broth Savory Gummy Treat Recipe

Ingredients List

  • 3/4 cup bone broth
  • 2 tbsp powdered gelatin
  • 1/8 tsp turmeric
  • Dash of black pepper

Bone broth has great nutritional value for dogs. It contains valuable nutrients including, gelatin, calcium, and iron. These nutrients enhance the immune system and improve joint health. This savory gummy treat is easy to digest and helps remove toxins out of the dog’s body. It also supports healthy liver function.

You can make bone broth at home or buy it from a store. If you buy ready-made bone broth, choose the organic option and make sure it doesn’t have unnecessary ingredients.

The ingredients in this recipe have numerous health benefits. Turmeric is a tasty spice and contains curcumin, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It also has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-fungal, and anti-oxidant effects. Bone broth, gelatin, and turmeric combine to make a delicious gummy dog treat recipe that no dog can resist.

Here are the instructions:

  • Pour 1/2 cup of the tasty bone broth into a saucepan
  • Add turmeric and black pepper into the broth
  • Use moderate heat to bring bone broth to a boil
  • Add gelatin into the remaining 1/4 cup of cold bone broth
  • Allow the bone broth to absorb the gelatin
  • Slowly pour hot bone broth into cold broth/gelatin mixture
  • Fill silicone molds with broth and refrigerate for three to four hours
  • Pop gummies out of molds and store them in the freezer for 2 – 3 months

Note:

This recipe makes approximately thirty-six gummy treats for your dog.

Fruit Juice & Honey Dog Gummies

Ingredients List

  • 3/4 cup pear juice
  • 2 tbsp powdered gelatin
  • 1 tsp raw honey
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This sweet gummy dog treat recipe combines all-natural fruit juice with honey for a nutritious blend. Fruit juices have a variety of vitamins and minerals. They’re naturally sweet, so you can skip adding sugar.  

Pure, raw honey also has a range of vitamins and minerals. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant properties for your dog’s health.

Here are the instructions:

  • Pour 1/2 cup of the fruit juice into a saucepan
  • Use moderate heat to bring the juice to a boil
  • Sprinkle gelatin over the remaining 1/4 cup of fruit juice
  • Allow the juice to absorb gelatin for 4-5 minutes
  • Slowly pour hot juice into cold fruit juice/gelatin mixture
  • Stir honey into a warm mixture and whisk until thoroughly blended
  • Fill silicone molds with the mixture and refrigerate for three hours
  • Pop gummies out of molds and store them in the freezer for 2 – 3 months

Note: This recipe makes approximately thirty-six gummy treats for your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Are jelly beans toxic for dogs?

Jelly beans contain xylitol – a toxic artificial sweetener. Humans can enjoy these jelly beans, but dogs xylitol can prove fatal for dogs.  

What should dogs eat?

You can feed your dog a pure and healthy kibble diet. Alternatively, you can give them some cooked or raw meat, fish, and rice. Many owners also like to feed freeze-dried raw meat to their dogs. You may want to consider human-grade meat for your dog because pet meat and bone products contain preservatives. Cooked meat such as lamb or boiled chicken is a good option for dogs to eat, but avoid bones or toxic substances like onion sauces. You can feed tinned tuna, tinned sardines, and tinned salmon in spring water as an occasional treat to your dog, but always check for tiny fish bones first.

Are bananas good for dogs?

Bananas are a healthy and nutritious fruit. They are high in minerals and vitamins such as potassium and vitamin B6. They are also a good source of vitamin C. Your dog can have bananas for added health benefits. Experts recommend bananas over commercially available dog treats that have no nutritional value.

Are milk bones bad for dogs?

Milk bones contain BHA – a preservative that can cause cancer. In the race for pet food profits, our pets’ health is jeopardized. That’s why experts advise against giving milk bones to your pets.

What to do if a dog eats candy?

If your dog eats a candy bar, watch for symptoms like muscle rigidity, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and seizures. If you’re concerned about your pet’s health, you can contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680.

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Nadine Oraby

My name is Nadine; I am a passionate writer and a pet lover. People usually call me by the nickname “Joy” because they think that I am a positive and joyful person who is a child at heart. My love for animals triggered me to create this blog. Articles are written by vets, pet experts, and me. Thanks for visiting. Your friend, Nadine!

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