While indulging in a snack, you could find yourself with a bunch of jelly beans in your hands. These candies, bean-shaped with a glossy, vibrant exterior and a soft, jelly interior, appear attractive and enjoyable to munch on.
And sometimes, it’s tempting to share some of these sweet treats with your pet as he drools and stargazes at your food.
You may have wondered at that time, can dogs have jelly beans? Are jelly beans toxic to dogs? As several questions will surround your mind of dogs and jelly beans. Are jelly beans bad for dogs? Jelly beans are trendy treats among children.
However, can dogs eat jelly beans? Browse through to learn more about dogs and jelly beans.
What Ingredients in Jelly Beans are Harmful to Dogs?
So, can dogs eat jelly beans? No. But, are jelly beans bad for dogs? Yes. As you know, jelly beans contain various ingredients that are unsafe for your dog to eat and some of these contents are fatal for dogs, such as:
Sugar
Jelly beans are, of course, high in sugar content. This sugar can disrupt your dog’s digestive system, causing him to experience vomiting, upset stomachs, or diarrhea.
Over time, if he continues to eat jelly beans and other high-sugar content products, your pup could develop diabetes, weight gain, and tooth decay, among other complications caused by sugar intake.
Caffeine
Some jelly bean brands are packed with a drop of caffeine, which can be toxic for dogs and must be avoided in any case [1].
While it is not always fatal for pets, it definitely can be and should not be jeopardized. As it does in humans, caffeine will also stimulate the central nervous system of the dog and could make them intensely hyper.
Pectin
Pectin is another ingredient that is often found in jelly beans. This is a fiber content that is used to cure diarrhea, especially for canines. It works to regulate the stool of your dog, firming it up and alleviating its diarrhea.
However, if too much pectin is ingested, it can really constipate the pup. Depending on how many jelly beans were consumed, this constipation can be quite severe.
Xylitol
Xylitol is the most fatal ingredient in jelly beans. This artificial sweetener is usually found in products like chewing gum, and goods containing it must be kept securely away from the reach of your dog.
What happens is that the moment xylitol enters the system of your dog, it will cause an immediate drop in his blood sugar levels as well as his blood pressure. Ingesting xylitol can also lead to more dangerous side effects from vomiting, seizures, to death.
If your pet accidentally swallowed jelly beans, check the ingredients at once to ensure it does not have xylitol in them.
Artificial Colors and Flavors
These ingredients are only used as coats and outer beauties. But just like us, it’s not recommended to include this in our cakes or bake goods too.
Hence, this lousy ingredient should not be consumed by your dog as it will cause gastrointestinal problems. What’s more, jelly beans have artificial add-ins as well like preservatives and dyes.
Some dogs can be allergic to these components so it’s best to avoid them.
These are the main five ingredients that might also be used in many candies other than jelly beans, like gummies, gummy bears, or worms as well as other products like starburst jelly beans, jelly belly, and more.
All of these are dangerous for your pup. So before purchasing any gluten-free and sugary commercial dog foods, check these ingredients on the packing.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Jelly Beans?
Help, my dog ate jelly beans–what should I do? We’ve tackled the queries, can dogs eat jelly beans? And are jelly beans bad for dogs? This time, let’s learn some measures you can do in case your dog accidentally ingested a piece of the jelly bean.
The good news is that consuming one or two jelly beans possibly will not hurt your dog, particularly if the jelly beans don’t have xylitol in them.
If your dog ate jelly beans, check the ingredients on the packing and make sure that the jelly beans don’t contain xylitol. Most probably, what will happen to your dog is that he will have a very upset stomach.
Watch out for signs of toxicity that include drooling, lethargy, vomiting, tremors, and diarrhea. If you’re concerned, be sure to provide your dog with plenty of fresh drinking water.
However, if you notice a change in the behavior of your dog, call your vet immediately. Your vet will provide a means to treat your pet.
What Other Ingredients Should You Not Feed Your Dog?
Besides knowing the answer to, can dogs eat jellybeans? Let’s look at some more common components found in everyday food that are unsafe for your pet.
Most sweet candies and sugary treats should be avoided. As stated previously, sugar leads to a host of health problems. Chocolates are worse. They initially cause an upset belly which quickly turns into internal bleeding, heart attack, seizure, or death.
Garlic, onions, chives, and anything else from this family can cause gastrointestinal irritation and damages red blood cells. Grapes, raisins, grape juice, and currants can lead to kidney failure. In general, keep alcohol far away from your dog.
Canines, in particular, can die from alcohol consumption. In most cases, it impacts the breathing system which leads to coma.
Although raw bones are the ideal chewing food for pets, cooked bones should be avoided as they can cause constipation.
Corn on the cob can block the intestines of your dog which causes constipation too along with some more serious risks. In addition, since they are hard to digest, it’s also advisable to avoid dog foods that contain corn.
Avocadoes have a chemical in their fruit, leaves, and seeds that are poisonous to your dog. Likewise, apple seeds also release a bad chemical into the bloodstream of your pup. Plum pits, peach, tomato leaves, and rhubarb are all toxic for dogs.
As you can see, there are tons of foods and common ingredients that are not suitable for your dog. Any person who truly cares for their pet would avoid these things.
That’s why before you feed anything to your dog, you have to make sure you do your research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will jelly beans kill dogs?
Yes, jelly beans will kill dogs especially if it contains xylitol. While it’s not always deadly for dogs as jelly beans are made primarily of sugar, it’s still unhealthy. Like most candies, specifically sugar-free products, jelly beans may have xylitol in them, which is toxic to dogs. If your puppy ate a few jelly beans, he’ll probably be alright. Keep an eye on him and don’t let him consume anything else with sugar. If you have any concerns, talk to your vet.
What candy can dogs eat?
As long as they are consumed in small amounts, sugary products are mostly safe for dogs. However, overfeeding can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. Skittles, Candy corn, Smarties, sour candy, Jolly Ranchers, and Blow Pops are safe for canines in quantities of less than 10 grams.
What snacks are best for dogs?
If you want to feed your dog with sweet treats with natural sugars, most vets recommend low-calories fruits and vegetables that are not only safe for dogs (when fed in moderation) but are also rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These include broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, bananas, blueberries, and apples.
Conclusion
We’ve established in the can dogs eat jelly beans query that dogs should never eat jelly beans. Any type of sugar in high content can pose a health risk to any dog. The best way to keep your dog safe and healthy is to keep jelly beans out of your dog’s reach.
Too much jelly beans intake could lead to an upset stomach and allergic reaction. And if it contains xylitol, this can lead to dangerous adverse effects and even death. If you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior, contact your vet straight away.
