Can Dogs Eat Cotton Candy?
We’ve all been there; the dog is begging for some sugary treats.
So you ask yourself if dogs can eat cotton candy. However, it is better to reconsider giving your dog cotton candy as they yare not be the best thing for its health.
Continue reading to learn more about cotton candy ingredients and how they can impact your dog’s health.
Cotton Candy History
Dominic Drioli invented the cotton candy machine.
Cotton Candy is a type of spun sugar made of boiling sugar and corn syrup. Then it’s whipped into a sugary mass until the texture resembles snow or fluffy clouds.
In 1923, Dominic Drioli in Waukesha invented the machine that produced cotton candy. It was located at Atwood’s Park state fair amusement park.
Can Dogs Eat Cotton Candy?
The short answer to this question is NO. Cotton candy is only refined sugar, and dogs should avoid it. Too much cotton candy can cause diarrhea in dogs.
While cotton candy isn’t toxic, sugar-free varieties can cause harm to your pet.
Cotton Candy Is Bad for Dogs?
Cotton candy is a bad choice for your dog. We need to look closely at the ingredient list to discover the problems that could cause harm to your dog.
As we already mentioned, cotton candy is made of sugar. When needed, food coloring can be added to enhance its visual appeal.
Some sugar-free candy uses artificial sweeteners to substitute sugar.
What Are The Repercussions Of Your Dog Eating Cotton Candy?
First, most candies contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can increase insulin flow, leading to a decrease in sugar levels.
This can also cause liver damage and alter metabolism, which in turn causes tooth decay.
However, cotton candy won’t kill your dog directly. But, there could be an increase in or decrease in your dog’s blood sugar.
It’s a well-known fact that dogs are much lighter than humans; therefore, the same sugar amount may cause serious problems.
Cotton Candy Ingredients
Cotton candy is primarily made of white sugar, which can be very harmful to your best friend.
Here are some other ingredients that could affect your dog.
Refined Sugar
Granulated white sugar is what your dog eats when they eat cotton candy.
Dogs will still need sugar to fuel their metabolism. However, natural foods can provide them with the necessary nutrients, so they don’t need to consume sugar separately.
Dogs can become addicted to sweet treats and will seek them out in an attempt to please their sweet tooth.
Sugary foods can have immediate consequences:
The long-term effects are:
- Obesity
- Appetite loss
- Diabetes
- Tooth decay
- Cavities
Xylitol
Many confectionaries, including cotton candy instead of sugar, have Xylitol as a substitute.
However, Xylitol-treated foods are toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting and more severe, life-threatening complications.
- Seizures
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Liver damage
- Coma
- In more severe cases, death
Artificial Color
Cotton candy is often made with food coloring to increase its appeal. These dyes may not be organic and could contain chemicals that can cause allergies and harm your dog.
Don’t take chances with your dog’s food. Organic foods without additives are the best.
Dogs And Xylitol Toxicity
Xylitol offers a better alternative to pure white sugar for humans. For us, it is safe to eat but is toxic for dogs. After your dog has eaten the substance, its pancreas can release dangerously high insulin levels.
This causes a significant drop in blood sugar which can cause weakness, unconsciousness, and seizures.
It is important to know that Xylitol can be toxic at 0.1g for every 2 pounds of your dog’s body weight. A 60-pound dog will only need three grams of Xylitol to be at risk.
The Possible Side Effects Of Cotton Candy On Your Dog
While humans may not have any issues with eating candy or ice cream, they are not ideal for dogs.
Sugar is an essential part of any diet, but sweets usually do more harm than good.
Dogs do require sugar and carbohydrates to function. However, we don’t have to give them candy because they have no nutritional value for dogs.
Intake of too much candy can cause inflammation.
These are some of the side effects of candy consumption by your dog:
Stomach Discomfort
When dogs vomit or have diarrhea, everything around gets messy. Avoid giving them sugary foods such as cotton candy if you want to avoid unnecessary cleaning.
Dogs, just like humans, require certain amounts of bacteria to digest food properly. Sugar intakes that are higher than normal can lead to a body struggling to keep up with sugar consumption, which can cause an upset.
Cotton Candy Is Toxic!
The average cotton candy contains only toxic ingredients such as Xylitol, food coloring, artificial flavors, and chocolate, which we would not recommend for your dog.
Theobromine, which is a component of chocolate, can cause severe side effects for your dog.
Theobromine is a compound that humans can digest easily, but dogs don’t have the same ability. Medically, theobromine can be used as a heart stimulant, diuretic, or muscle relaxant.
Your dog might not be able to process such food, which can lead to vomiting, racing heartbeat, thirst, restlessness and other symptoms.
However, dogs can become hypoglycemic due to the high Xylitol levels, which in some cases leads to liver failure.
It would be best to read the labels of any items you buy for your dog to know what they contain.
Tooth Issues
This shouldn’t be difficult to understand and explain, as it applies to all of us.
Too much sugar is not good for your dog’s teeth because the bacteria in its mouth feed on it and produce acid. Dental diseases can result from the loss of minerals in your dog’s teeth’ outer coating (enamel).
Every food your dog eats contains sugar, so to protect its teeth, we can at most limit your dog’s carbohydrate intake and brush its teeth.
It is also a good idea to check your dog’s teeth regularly and make any necessary adjustments as needed.
Weight Issues
Dogs can become obese if they are constantly given sugary treats, which causes them to gain weight and puts a strain on their joints.
Obesity in dogs has been linked to several life-threatening diseases, including arthritis and heart disease, as well as respiratory and heart problems, diabetes, and arthritis.
Even if your dog is able to avoid these conditions, there are still chances that it would suffer a loss of quality of life.
Related: Best Weight Loss Dog Food 2022
Metabolic Problems
A rise in sugar automatically implies increased insulin, which is needed to store and use sugar.
Insulin can have a few effects on your hormonal system, causing changes in your dog’s energy, fat storage, muscle tone, and immune system. These changes can lead to less active, weaker, or fat dogs, which are more susceptible to hormone-linked disorders.
Science has shown that sugar can have long-lasting effects on your dog’s metabolism and body.
As with humans, obesity and diabetes are the most prevalent issues.
Even worse is the long list of problems that these conditions can cause.
Diabetes
Dogs have limits on how much they can eat at a time.
If your dog’s diet isn’t well optimized, you can be sure that its weight gain will continue to increase.
That’s why it is crucial to watch what your dog eats because weight gain in dogs can easily cause type-2 diabetes.
Cotton Candy Is Dangerous For Old Dogs
Apart from the fact sugar is harmful to all dogs, both young and old, it also has severe consequences on overweight and diabetic dogs. Excessive sugar in cotton candy can increase your dog’s chance of developing hyperglycemia or high blood sugar and can cause death in diabetic canines.
So, Can Dogs Have Cotton Candy As A Treat?
Many veterinarians recommend that you feed your dogs all the food they need from approved dog food sources.
A balanced diet is essential for them, and you should not give your dog cotton candy.
Cotton candy is also not good for dogs’ teeth. High sugar treats can make your dog more vulnerable to infections and cavities.
Related: Best Dog Treats: 20 Excellent Products for Your Canine Friend
What Happens If My Dog Accidentally Eats A Cotton Candy Wrapper?
The Cotton candy wrapper can get stuck in the dog’s throat and intestines, similar to the Slim Jims. Because of their smaller throats and intestines, this risk is greater in small dog breeds.
Larger dogs might pass the wrapper naturally. However, you should immediately take your dog to the vet if it has difficulty breathing or is having trouble pooping after eating a wrapper.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Has Cotton Candy Poisoning?
Xylitol poisoning can be fatal and should be treated immediately by a veterinarian. Do not wait for your puppy to develop signs of xylitol poisoning, and get them to the veterinarian immediately.
Your dog will begin to show signs of consumption if the Xylitol has been in its system for more than 30 minutes.
In some cases, you might notice symptoms up to 24 hours after your dog has eaten the Xylitol, depending on its age, weight, and size. Report these symptoms to your vet immediately.
The treatment for xylitol poisoning includes purging the dog’s stomach and hooking them up to IV fluids. Activated charcoal can be administered to counteract the effects of Xylitol. The dog will remain under surveillance until the condition improves.
Small dogs can choke with cotton candy wrappers. You should be familiar with choking and intestinal obstruction symptoms and take your dog to the vet if you notice unusual behavior.
An X-ray will show the extent and nature of the blockage.
Your vet might give Metamucil or another laxative to your dog to get out the wrapper.
In some cases, blockages may require surgery.
Conclusion
Cotton candy is not recommended for dogs. You can give your dog a healthier option to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Cotton candy is a bad choice for your dog because it contains high levels of sugar or Xylitol, which is highly toxic for dogs.
Further Reading:
- Can Dogs Eat Gummy Bears?
- Can Dogs Eat Lollipops?
- Can Dogs Eat Jelly Beans?
- Can Dogs Eat Skittles? Here’s What Experts Want You to Know
- Can Dogs Eat Sour Patch Kids? Here’s What You Need to Know