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No, it’s not safe for dogs to eat gummy bears. This candy is a non-chocolate, fruity children’s treat found in most homes. This is because this fruity treat contains sugar, xylitol, and gelatin, which have no nutritional value and can be toxic for your dog.

Gummy Bears
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Caution: This food is generally considered risky by the veterinary community. Dogs should not eat this food and should be monitored for adverse effects.

Food Safety Exercise caution, avoid feeding
Nutritional Issues Sugar, xylitol, gelatin
Potential Risks tooth decay, obesity, liver failure, hypoglycemia, death
Poisoning Symptoms vomiting, seizures, diarrhea
Every dog is different. For specific feeding guidelines, including quantities and beneficial foods that are best for your dog, please consult your vet.

How Many Gummy Bears are Unsafe for Dogs?

A single gummy bear won’t harm your dog. However, if your dog gets a hold of an entire packet of gummy bears and eats them uncontrollably, you should monitor its health for 15-20 minutes. If your pet starts to vomit, experience diarrhea, or suffers from seizures, hurry up and take it to the vet ASAP. This is because gummy bears contain xylitol, which is okay for humans but toxic for dogs.

What Makes Gummy Bears Unsafe?

Of course, there is a massive amount of sugar in gummy bears. However, sugar will only cause obesity in dogs. It’s the xylitol that does the damage. This chemical is very poisonous for dogs and can lead to liver failure, hypoglycemia, and, in worse cases, death in dogs.

Signs Your Dog Ate Too Many Gummy Bears

Xylitol can be quite dangerous for all pets, let alone dogs. However, if your canine companions eat a handful of gummy bears, monitor their condition. Typically, xylitol poisoning symptoms in dogs include fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, etc., and can show as early as 15-20 minutes.

Common Gummy Bear Ingredients

  • Sugar -Sugar is one of the main components in gummy bears. Feeding your dog too many sugary treats can lead to tooth decay and obesity in the long term.
  • Xylitol -This chemical might be safe for human consumption. However, it can be quite harmful to dogs.
  • Gelatin -Gelatin doesn’t contain any nutritional value and is neither dangerous nor beneficial for dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No, it would be wise to avoid feeding your dog gummy bears as they contain sugar and xylitol, a chemical that can be poisonous for dogs.

  • While sugar-free gummy bears don’t contain any refined sugars, they are full of xylitol. This chemical can lead to various severe health issues in dogs and death in worse cases.

  • No, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog Haribo gummy bears. They are full of sugars that can cause obesity and tooth decay in dogs.

About the Writer
Dan Greco , Dog Dad

Having been a dog dad for 5 years, I know how hard it is to make sure your dog gets the right nutrients and stays away from hazardous foods. With the help of a veterinarian who specializes in nutrition, I created this blog to help dog owners quickly access food information they need.

photo of vet holding a pup
About the Contributor
Dr. Hillary Wolfe , Veterinarian & Certified Food Therapist

Dr. Wolfe holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University and holds nutrition certifications from the NAVC and CIVT. Her business, Tula Veterinary Nutrition, hosts online courses that teach owners how to cook for their pet for optimal health and longevity. Follow her on Instagram at @doctorwolfe.dvm for dog nutrition tips, recipes and insights.