NO.
Okay, we owe you a longer, more detailed answer!
Jelly beans are small, colorful candies shaped like beans. They typically consist of a jelly interior and a soft candy shell.
And they’re made almost entirely of sugar, which is bad for dogs.
However, as bad as sugar is, it’s got nothing on xylitol, an artificial sweetener used in some jelly beans. Xylitol can kill dogs.
Read on to learn more about why jelly beans are bad for dogs!
Are Jelly Beans Bad for Dogs?
Yes, and it’s all because of the substances found in jelly beans, such as:
Xylitol
Many fat-free candies are artificially sweetened using a chemical known as xylitol.
Xylitol is harmless to humans. But to dogs, it’s deadly. Even small amounts of xylitol can harm your pooch regardless of their age, sex, size, or breed.
If your dog eats jelly beans containing xylitol, they may display the following symptoms:
- Upset stomach
- Decreased activity
- Exhaustion
- Weakness
- Incoordination
- Staggering
- Shivering
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Unconsciousness
Symptoms can occur 10 to 60 minutes after xylitol ingestion. However, some dogs can go as long as 24 hours without experiencing problems, so never assume a dog that’s eaten artificially sweetened jelly beans is fine just because they seem fine.
If left untreated, xylitol poisoning can lead to liver damage, liver failure, a coma, and death. For this reason, you should contact the vet for help immediately if your dog eats xylitol-containing jelly beans.
Sugar
If xylitol is terrible for dogs, why not just give them regular, sugar-rich jelly beans?
True, the sugar found in candy isn’t toxic to dogs. However, consuming this type of sugar can cause digestive issues such as:
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
Depending on how well your dog can tolerate sugar, these symptoms can range from mild to severe. Any dog that experiences extreme or persistent discomfort after ingesting sugar should be taken to the vet for treatment.
Furthermore, if you constantly feed your dog sugary jelly beans, they could end up suffering from various health problems and chronic diseases, including:
- Obesity (which increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and osteoarthritis)
- High blood sugar levels (which increases the risk of kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease)
- Pancreatitis
- Dental problems (e.g. cavities, tooth loss)
- Sugar addiction
- Poor appetite
For all these reasons, it’s best for a dog to never consume sugar-rich jelly beans or any other sugar-rich food, for that matter.
Caffeine
Some jelly beans contain caffeine, which is toxic to dogs. Small amounts can cause odd behaviors in your dog. But the ingestion of large amounts of caffeine is potentially life-threatening.
It takes around 45 minutes for a dog’s stomach to absorb caffeine, and about 2 hours for the following symptoms to manifest:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Increased heart rate
- Hyperactivity
- Hyperthermia (high body temperature)
- Loss of muscle control
- Trembling
- Seizures
If you observe the above symptoms after your dog consumes caffeine-containing jelly beans, bring them to the vet as soon as possible for emergency treatment. Hesitation can have fatal repercussions.
Starch
Jelly beans get their chewiness from starch – specifically a kind of starch known as pectin.
Starches like pectin aren’t as dangerous as xylitol or caffeine. But if your dog swallows many jelly beans, they may experience digestive problems such as stomach aches and constipation.
Starch also contributes to weight gain if consumed regularly.
Flavoring
Artificial flavoring gives jelly beans their delicious taste. Unfortunately, flavorings are rarely healthy for dogs.
Even natural flavorings can cause problems in dogs. For example, grape and cocoa flavorings are specifically dangerous, because grape and cocoa are toxic to canines.
FAQs About Jelly Beans for Dogs
Here, we answer more commonly asked questions about jelly beans for dogs.
My dog ate jelly beans. What should I do?
First of all, don’t panic. Secondly, determine how many jelly beans your dog ate as well as check the jelly beans’ ingredient list.
If the jelly beans your dog ate contain xylitol or caffeine, contact the vet immediately and pay close attention to their instructions. If they tell you to rush your dog to the pet clinic or hospital, don’t hesitate, as they likely require emergency life-saving treatment.
Even if the jelly beans don’t contain toxic ingredients, you should contact the vet for advice if your dog experiences any troubling symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Your dog will likely be made to observe a bland diet (e.g. plain boiled chicken and plain white rice) for a couple of days.
If no vets are available, those in North America can call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
Can a dog eat a single jelly bean?
No. If that single jelly bean contains xylitol or caffeine, your dog can grow grievously ill or even die. Contact the veterinarian immediately if they eat such a jelly bean.
A single jelly bean containing no toxic ingredients may not seriously harm your pet, but it can still cause digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and/or an upset stomach. Contact the vet for help if such symptoms are severe.
Can dogs eat licorice jelly beans?
Licorice jelly beans are generally rich in sugar, so they’re bad for your dog’s long-term health. The sugar-free varieties use xylitol, which can cause serious harm to your pooch. For these reasons, we don’t recommend feeding dogs licorice jelly beans.
If your dog gobbles up a bunch of sugar-rich licorice jelly beans, there’s a good chance they’ll experience gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Ingesting any amount of xylitol-containing licorice jelly beans can lead to dangerous toxicity that will require emergency treatment at a pet clinic or hospital.
Can dogs eat Starburst Jellybeans?
No. Starburst Jelly Beans make terrible treats for dogs thanks to being loaded with unhealthy artificial additives. They can cause everything from digestive issues to allergic reactions in our canine pals.
Any dog that eats Starburst Jelly Beans should be observed for health issue symptoms such as digestive problems and sudden behavioral changes. Seek veterinary advice if such symptoms manifest.
Can dogs eat Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans?
We don’t recommend feeding dogs Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans. These candies are high in sugar. They also contain additives such as artificial flavorings and colorings, which can cause allergic reactions and other issues in dogs.
Can dogs eat Jelly Belly Jelly Beans?
These jelly beans are high in sugar, making them extremely fattening if eaten in great quantities. Even a few jelly beans can make your dog experience digestive concerns such as vomiting and an upset stomach. Avoid giving such candies to your pooch.
Are Jelly Beans bad for all dogs?
Jelly Beans should be avoided by all dogs, but they’re particularly bad for dogs with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and obesity. All that excess sugar can worsen the symptoms of such conditions.
What other products contain xylitol?
Save your dog from life-threatening harm by ensuring they never ingest xylitol-containing products such as:
- Some baked goods
- Some nut and peanut butters
- Sugar-free desserts
- Skinny ice cream
- Breath mints
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Dietary supplements
- Chewable vitamins
- Cough syrup
- Over-the-counter drugs
Before feeding any food to your dog, ensure you examine its ingredients list for xylitol.
What other products contain caffeine?
Foods rich in caffeine include the following:
- Coffee
- Espresso
- Green tea
- Chocolate and cocoa beans
- Soda
- Guarana
- Energy drinks
- Supplements
- Kola nut
- Yerba mate drink
- Chewing gum
- Any food with coffee or chocolate
Avoid feeding such foods to dogs as they can cause deadly toxicity.
Conclusion
It’s a terrible idea to feed dogs jelly beans. Some varieties contain toxic ingredients that can kill your dog. Others can make your dog mildly to moderately ill and lead to more serious issues in the long run.
So love your dog, and ensure they stay healthy by never giving them jelly beans!