Can Dogs Eat Jelly Beans?
Dogs shouldn’t eat jelly beans, but if your dog ate a bag, a handful, or much more, don’t worry. Jelly beans are not toxic for dogs, and your dog will be fine. These sugary treats can upset their stomach and aren’t healthy for your dog, but they aren’t harmful if they’re not a regular thing. Just keep an eye on your dog for any signs of discomfort, and try to avoid giving them sugary snacks in the future.
Our snacks and dog snacks are not the same (duh!), and some things like ultra-processed foods and sweets are really not suitable for dogs. Dogs metabolize sugar differently than we do, and their bodies aren’t equipped to handle the high levels of sugar found in many of our treats. While an occasional piece might not cause immediate harm, regularly feeding dogs sugary snacks can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.
Dogs use sugar in their bodies differently than humans. For humans, sugar is a quick source of energy, and our bodies can handle larger amounts due to different metabolic processes. In dogs, however, sugar is broken down more slowly, and they don’t need as much of it in their diet. Their bodies are designed to get energy primarily from proteins and fats rather than carbohydrates. Excessive sugar can overwhelm their system, as it causes blood sugar spike.
How bad are jelly beans? Will one jelly bean hurt a dog?
The good news is that there’s nothing inherently toxic for dogs in jelly beans, except if they contain xylitol. One jelly bean most definitely won’t hurt your dog. While it’s not a healthy snack and might cause a little digestive upset, a single jelly bean won’t cause significant harm. Just make sure to keep treats with xylitol far away from your dog, as this sweetener is highly toxic to them. If your dog grabs some jelly beans by accident, keep an eye on them, but there’s no need to panic.
Jelly beans typically contain:
- Sugar
- Tapioca or corn syrup
- Pectin or starch
These ingredients are not toxic or particularly bad for dogs in small amounts, but they aren’t beneficial either.
When I wrote about why you should never give your dog Skittles because of the artificial dyes, I also mentioned that artificial flavors and lots of additives can upset your dog’s stomach. Similar to Twizzlers, which are not recommended for dogs due to those exact ingredients (colors and additives), all candy is really only okay as a special treat for us, and not our dogs.
Of course, since we won’t give them candy deliberately, it’s important to know just for our peace of mind that if they accidentally eat jelly beans, they will be okay, as there’s really nothing toxic in them.
What to do if your dog eats jelly beans
First of all, don’t worry! If your dog eats a couple of jelly beans or even a whole bag, they are likely to be just fine.
Check the bag and read the label to see if the jelly beans are sugar-free or contain xylitol. If they do, call your vet immediately, as xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. If the jelly beans don’t contain xylitol, make sure your dog has plenty of water to help flush out the sugar.
Next, make sure they have their regular kibble and go on a nice walk. They may eat some grass, which can help them vomit or deal with any digestive upset. For their next meal, consider giving them foods that are good for their gut health, like cooked pumpkin or rice. This can help soothe their stomach and get them back on track.
FAQs
Can dogs eat black jelly beans?
Dogs shouldn’t eat black jelly beans. While they aren’t toxic, the artificial flavors and dyes can upset your dog’s stomach. It’s best to avoid giving them any type of jelly bean.
Can dogs eat Starburst jelly beans?
Starburst jelly beans are not recommended for dogs since they’re full of sugar, artificial colors, and flavors. While not toxic, they can cause digestive upset. It’s best to keep these treats for humans and provide your dog with healthier options.