Can Dogs Eat Peppermint Candy? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Concerns

Our dogs can have many of the foods that we eat—but most of these options involve fresh lean meats, fruits, and veggies. But what about when it comes to candy?

Dogs should not eat any candy. While peppermint candy is certainly a delicious treat for us humans, our dogs should not eat peppermint candy due to the potentially harmful, and even toxic ingredients that it may contain, such as xylitol and peppermint oil.

Why Can’t Dogs Eat Peppermint Candy?

You should never feed peppermint candy to dogs. It is simply not a suitable snack for them in any way. There are tons of hidden ingredients, artificial dyes, and even dangerous sweeteners that can be added to candies like peppermint.

Firstly, peppermint candy can contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels in dogs. The peppermint itself can also upset your dog’s stomach. Although a small amount of dried or fresh leaves from the peppermint plant won’t cause issues for most dogs, peppermint candy usually contains more concentrated peppermint oil or extract which can be toxic. While the candy typically only contains a very small amount of peppermint, it can still cause problems, especially for smaller dogs.

If your dog ingests peppermint candy, it’s a good idea to contact your vet for advice. They will want to know the ingredients of the candy and may suggest monitoring your dogs for any signs or bringing your dog in for an examination.

Dangers of Feeding Peppermint Candy to Dogs

There are several dangers of feeding peppermint candy to dogs. Here is a brief rundown of what you can expect.

1. Peppermint Oil

The peppermint oil is concentrated. Because of that, it means that it is stronger than the peppermint plant by itself and can be toxic to dogs. Peppermint can cause gastrointestinal upset and other issues if ingested such as vomiting and diarrhea.

2. Sugar

The main ingredient in most candies, including peppermint candy, is sugar. Your dog does not need to have any extra sugar added to their diet. Consuming high amounts of sugar can cause a whirlwind of health problems for your dog.

Too much sugar can cause an upset stomach and if consumed frequently can lead to weight gain, obesity and other serious health concerns for your pup.

3. Artificial Sweeteners

Many artificial sweeteners are not necessarily dangerous to dogs, even though they're not good for them. However, there are artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, that are highly toxic and can even be fatal to your pet. It is important to do a quick sweep of the ingredients, even if your dog just snuck a bite of your peppermint candy before you could stop them. Be aware that xylitol can be listed by other names such as birch bark sugar and E967. If it contains xylitol, take them to your vet immediately. They will need direct attention from a professional.

Xylitol is rapidly absorbed from a dog’s bloodstream and stimulates the release of insulin. This causes a sudden drop in blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) within 10-60 minutes of ingestion. Signs of hypoglycemia include weakness, tremors, confusion, and sometimes seizures. Larger amounts of xylitol can also cause extreme damage to the liver, which can be fatal.

4. Artificial Colors

The artificial colors used in candies can also have adverse effects for dogs, not all food coloring that is safe for humans is necessarily also safe for our pups. They may upset your dog’s stomach and some are thought to be linked to behavior changes such as hyperactivity and nervousness. These artificial colors have no benefits for our dogs and are best avoided.

5. Choking Hazard

There are two different types of peppermint candy: soft and hard. Soft peppermint candy isn’t as likely to be a choking hazard because it’s easier to chew. But hard peppermint candy does pose a choking hazard for your dog, especially small dogs.

Even if your dog doesn’t choke on it, the candy can cause an obstruction somewhere in your dog’s digestive system if they don’t chew it well enough before swallowing.

Safety of Different Types of Peppermint

When it comes to peppermint, there are some discrepancies about its safety for dogs. While it is often used in a variety of different supplements and products aimed towards dogs, there are two sides to the coin when it comes to considering its safety.

Let's take a peek at the different forms of peppermint for comparison’s sake.

Peppermint Plant

The peppermint plant (Mentha piperita) is technically a mint plant. According to the ASPCA, mint plants are toxic to dogs. However, peppermint is generally considered only mildly irritating and usually, at the, most causes gastrointestinal issues.

Peppermint Flavor

Peppermint flavor used in certain doggy specific products is probably safe to use. Always ask your vet if you have any confusion on the safety of food products that you purchase for your pooch.

Peppermint Scent

If you burn a peppermint scented candle or have an air freshener, it likely won’t cause much harm to your dog provided that they aren’t sensitive to smells or have asthma or allergies. Peppermint essential oil diffusers are best avoided around dogs due to the potential for toxicity particularly from accidental ingestion or skin exposure.

If your pet ingests or comes into contact with any of these fragrances due to spillage or something else, contact your vet for advice on what action needs to be taken.

Conclusion

Now you understand why peppermint candy is bad news for dogs. It simply contains too many ingredients that can be harmful to your pup. Ingestion of the artificial sweetener xylitol can be particularly serious as it can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure and even be fatal. If your dog may have eaten any candy containing xylitol contact an emergency vet straight away.

According to the ASPCA, mint is mildly toxic to dogs. That means that even other peppermint products can be irritating to your pooch. It's always best to keep any type of sweet treats away from your dog, unless they are doggy specific.

Featured Image Credit: webandi, Pixabay