Ah, cotton candy. The guilt-inducing fluff of sugar we all love for its irresistible sweetness.
Well, they say dogs don’t feel guilt. So should we share this wonderful treat with our beloved canine companions? Surely they’ll enjoy it, too!
They might. But they may also get sick. Maybe even seriously, fatally sick.
So no, dogs shouldn’t be given cotton candy. Don’t even think about giving your dog cotton candy.
But why is cotton candy bad for dogs? Read on to find out!
What is cotton candy?
Also known as candy floss or fairy floss, cotton candy is sugar that’s been heated, melted, then spun centrifugally until it resembles a large ball of cotton. It may be colored using food dye to enhance its visual appeal. Some artificial flavoring can also be added to give it a distinctive taste.
Sugar-free varieties of cotton candy use artificial sweeteners in place of sugar.
While cotton candy is usually sold at festivals, fairs, carnivals, and circuses, they’re also available in some malls. It can be served on a stick, in a plastic bag, or on a paper cone.
Xylitol: why cotton candy is deadly to dogs
As previously mentioned, not all cotton candies are made of sugar. Sugar-free cotton candies contain the artificial sweetener known as xylitol, instead.
Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs.
A dog’s age, sex, size, or breed doesn’t matter; no dog should be eating any food containing xylitol. Even a tiny amount of the substance can seriously harm a dog.
A dog that eats cotton candy containing xylitol can suffer from an upset stomach, an abnormal drop in blood sugar levels, shivering, weakness, exhaustion, seizures, and fainting. In the worst-case scenario (which isn’t rare among dogs that consume xylitol), the toxin can cause liver damage, liver failure, a coma, and even death.
It takes a dog’s body more than 30 minutes to absorb xylitol. So, depending on their size, weight, age, and other factors, they may start showing the above symptoms around this time. However, as some dogs take 24 hours before exhibiting symptoms, never think a dog that’s eaten the toxin is all right just because they haven’t experienced any problems yet.
It’s paramount that you take your dog to the vet immediately if they’ve ingested any amount of xylitol. At the very least, call up the vet’s office and tell them what has happened. Don’t try making your dog vomit yourself; wait for the vet to tell you what to do to save your dog.
Excess sugar: why cotton candy is bad for dogs
Cotton candy that contains no xylitol may not be toxic to dogs, but it’s still bad for them. Why? It’s all about the sweet’s main ingredient: refined sugar a.k.a. table, granulated, white, or “regular” sugar.
When a dog eats cotton candy, they absorb an excess of this sugar, which can cause the following problems:
Digestive problems
Eating something as sugary as cotton candy can wreak havoc on your dog’s sensitive digestive system. Expect an upset stomach, a stomachache, gas, diarrhea, and/or vomiting after your dog chows down on the sweet. The severity of these symptoms can range from mild to severe, in which case you’ll need to bring your dog to the vet for treatment.
A proper diet already provides your dog with the right amount of sugar. If a dog eats cotton candy often, they absorb enormous amounts of sugar. This can lead to extra weight gain and even obesity, which, in turn, increases the risk of serious medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Obesity can also make moving around more challenging. This discourages your dog from exercising, thus creating a vicious cycle that leaves them prone to gaining more unnecessary weight.
In short, obesity can hurt your dog’s quality of life and even shorten their lifespan.
Blood sugar imbalance
Ingesting large amounts of sugar increases your dog’s blood sugar levels. This can lead to dehydration, extreme thirst, depression, lower energy levels, seizures, or even a coma.
Having elevated blood sugar levels for extended periods can increase the risk of kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, nerve problems, and vision problems. It may even increase the risk of diabetes.
Pancreatitis
When a dog consumes sugar, their pancreas produces insulin to bring their blood sugar levels back to normal. Ingesting too much sugar forces the pancreas to work extra hard, which can result in the organ getting damaged – a condition known as pancreatitis.
The clinical signs of pancreatitis include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, poor appetite, lethargy, and fever. Dogs can have “attacks” during which they may stick their backside in the air and lower their head and forelegs to the floor. A severe attack can cause shock, depression, or even death.
While the prognosis for mild pancreatitis is good, allowing the condition to go untreated can have fatal consequences.
Dental issues
Mouth bacteria produce acid to break down the sugar your pet consumes. If a dog eats any confections rich in sugar (*cough* cotton candy *cough*), these bacteria have to generate more acid than usual to deal with the sugar overload. And you know what acid is good at: melting things.
When a dog eats cotton candy, they therefore become susceptible to tooth decay (a.k.a. cavities), which is basically the result of the acid destroying the hard outer layer of the teeth known as the enamel. Cavities can even become infected to introduce your poor pooch to a world of suffering.
Loss of appetite
Sugary treats are addictive to canines. A dog obsessed with cotton candy can lose their appetite for healthier foods, resulting in their rejection of a nutritious, well-balanced diet. Their health suffers, as a result.
Allergic reaction
Artificial food coloring isn’t always organic. In fact, it may contain chemicals that can provoke an allergic reaction in your dog.
A dog experiencing an allergic reaction after eating cotton candy may display symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, itchiness, hives, swelling of the face, runny eyes, inflamed skin, and obsessive licking.
Protecting your dog
Below are the measures you can take to keep your dog safe from the problems eating cotton candy and similarly dangerous foods can cause:
Read ingredient labels
In addition to never feeding cotton candy to your dog, ensure you examine the ingredients of any food before giving it to your pet. Any food containing xylitol is a definite no-no. Other artificial sweeteners, such as stevia and erythritol, won’t harm your dog as long as they’re eaten in small doses.
Hide dangerous edibles from your dog
At home, keep sweets of any type out of your dog’s sight and reach. If you store candies in a transparent jar on the coffee table, your dog may be tempted to steal those sweets. This may even result in your dog getting their head stuck in the jar and suffocating – which, sadly, happens all too often.
Even household products can contain xylitol, so store such items where your dog can’t access or see them, as well.
Be mindful of your dog’s particular health concerns
While sugary cotton candy is bad for any dog, it’s particularly unhealthy for pups, seniors, obese dogs, and diabetic dogs. The surplus sugar can increase the risk of high blood sugar in canines, which can be deadly to those with diabetes.
Preparation can save lives
Be prepared for the worst. Familiarize yourself with the phone number and address of the nearest, best vet in your area. Ensure such information is readily accessible by making a record of it in your phone and writing it down where everyone at home can easily find it.
Those in North America can also contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 should any problems arise.
Seek veterinary aid
If a dog that eats cotton candy experiences any of the problems discussed in this article, call your vet immediately so they can tell you what to do next. Always take severe or prolonged symptoms seriously; as waiting can be lethal, don’t hesitate to take a sick dog to the vet.
Consult a vet about your dog’s dietary concerns before introducing them to any new food. As much as possible, only feed your dog foods that your vet has approved. A vet can also determine an appropriate meal plan that will keep your dog in optimum health.
Final thoughts…
Dogs should never eat cotton candy. The excess sugar the sweet contains can lead to serious, painful, and debilitating health problems, while xylitol can kill your dog.
Keep your dog healthy and happy: keep them away from cotton candy!