Can Dogs Eat Twizzlers? Are Twizzlers Safe? (Vet Answers)

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Twizzlers are a favorite among many people, young and old. But can our furry friends enjoy them too?

Can dogs eat Twizzlers?

Dogs should not be eating Twizzlers. While a small bite here or there will not kill them, it can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea. In addition, Twizzlers are high in sugar which can cause weight gain, obesity, and other health problems for dogs.

Below we will go into more details about dogs eating Twizzlers, the dangers, what to do if they eat a bunch of Twizzlers, and much more.

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

What’s In Twizzlers?

Twizzlers are made of corn syrup, sugar, cornstarch, palm oil, salt, and artificial flavors.

While some of those ingredients aren’t great for dogs (like palm oil and corn syrup), the rest are generally considered safe.

That said, Twizzlers don’t contain any nutrients your dog needs and are high in sugar.

There are a few variations of Twizzlers, with the Strawberry flavored Twizzlers being the original.

Ingredients In Twizzlers

Here is an image from the Hersheyland website showing all the nutrition facts and ingredients in the classic strawberry Twizzlers twists.

Can Dogs Eat Twizzlers?

I contacted our veterinarian and several animal nutritionists to find out what they knew.

The verdict.

The answer is no. Dogs should not eat Twizzlers. While minimal amounts might not cause problems, it’s not recommended.

Twizzlers are high in sugar, leading to weight gain and obesity in dogs. They also contain corn syrup and palm oil, which can cause an upset stomach.

If your dog does eat this red licorice, watch for signs of an upset stomach, such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Their chewy nature can also cause a dog’s teeth to have problems.

If you do decide to give your dog Twizzlers, be sure to monitor them closely.

Some dogs may be allergic to wheat or cornstarch in this snack.

If your dog starts showing signs of an allergic reaction, such as itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Dr. Littlejohn says, “I would never advise anyone to feed their dog Twizzlers or red licorice, but if a dog were to eat a small piece, I wouldn’t be concerned.”

So, can dogs have Twizzlers?

They can have very small amounts and be okay, but you should not feed dogs Twizzlers.

Can Dogs Eat Black Licorice Twizzlers?

The major difference between red and black Twizzlers is the licorice extract contained in black licorice.

This is bad for dogs and is considered toxic in large quantities.

While some argue it can be helpful for upset stomachs, the compound glycyrrhizin can cause problems like high blood pressure.

The licorice extract combined with high amounts of sugar makes this a no-no for dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Red Licorice?

Red licorice is made of sugar, corn syrup, wheat flour, palm oil, and artificial flavors.

It doesn’t contain any licorice root, which is dangerous for dogs to eat in regular licorice.

However, red licorice is high in sugar and can cause weight gain, obesity, and other health problems for dogs.

So, the answer is the same as with Twizzlers. Dogs should not have any red licorice.

Is Sugar-Free Twizzlers Okay For Dogs?

Sugar-free Twizzlers are not okay for dogs to eat.

Maltitol is the sweetener in sugar-free Twizzlers, which isn’t toxic to dogs like other sweeteners like Xylitol.

Sugar-free products usually contain the artificial sweeteners Xylitol, which is highly poisonous to dogs.

If your dog eats any products with Xylitol, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Even a tiny amount can cause low blood sugar, seizures, and even death.

So please avoid giving your dog any products containing Xylitol.

Are Twizzlers Safe For Dogs?

Human foods that are manufactured will never be suitable for a dog’s health.

However, Twizzlers are technically safe for dogs in small amounts.

There are no toxic ingredients that can harm a dog like chocolate or Xylitol could.

While a small amount might not hurt them, regular or large consumption of Twizzlers would be considered unsafe for dogs.

Vets and dog nutritionists will always advise against feeding dogs foods like Twizzlers.

Related Reading: Can Dogs Eat Twinkies? Dangers + Tips If They Do

Dangers Of Dogs Eating Twizzlers

The health risks of feeding dogs high sugar treats (such as Twizzlers or red licorice) rise with each additional serving.

Here are the most significant concerns for a dog’s health when feeding them Twizzlers:

Way Too Much Sugar

Sugar is a man-made food that negatively affects humans and dogs.

The more exposure a dog has to sugar, the more health risks they are exposed to.

Here are a few repercussions of feeding dogs too much sugar:

Upset stomach
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Weight gain & obesity
Diabetes
Heart disease
Joint problems

Hyperglycemia

Another issue that’s caused by overconsumption of sugar is hyperglycemia.

Dogs are unable to process sugar as effectively as humans can.

This means small amounts of sugar have a bigger impact on dogs than us humans.

Thus, making it easier for dogs to get hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia is a medical condition in which there is an overabundance of sugar in the blood. This can lead to serious health issues.

Overeating

Overeating is a problem with all food. However, when it comes to sugary food, its even more problematic.

A dog that eats Twizzlers too often or in large amounts could face problems like food bloat, diabetes, cavities/teeth issues, obesity, or pancreatitis.

After dogs consume a large amount of something high in fat and sugar, pancreatitis could develop.

Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs include:

Lethargy
Hunched back
Repeated vomiting (several times within a few hours or over several days)
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Dehydration
Fever
Increased heart rate
Difficulty breathing

In some circumstances, pancreatitis might result in liver failure and death.

So always be cautious when your dog eats too much of anything with high sugar and fat levels.

Wheat Allergies

Some dog breeds are susceptible to certain allergies more than others.

Twizzlers contain wheat flour, one of dogs’ most common food allergens.

If your dog has a wheat allergy, they could have an allergic reaction to Twizzlers that include:

Hives
Swelling of the face/lips/tongue
Itchy skin
Watery eyes
Sneezing
Runny nose
Coughing
Vomiting
Diarrhea

It’s very similar to how your body would react to something is allergic to.

What Happens If My Dog Ate Twizzlers?

If your dog ate Twizzlers, you should first check if they have any allergic reactions.

Some dogs might be fine after eating Twizzlers, while others might have an allergy to them.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:

Itching
Swelling
Hives
Redness of the skin
Diarrhea
Vomiting

If your dog is displaying any of these symptoms, contact your vet.

Other than that, if your dog ate a small amount of Twizzlers and isn’t displaying any adverse effects, there’s no need to worry.

If your dog ate a large number of Twizzlers, they would likely experience some minor symptoms of an upset stomach.

For example, they may be gassy, have diarrhea, or even vomit.

Can Twizzlers Kill My Dog?

It’s doubtful that Twizzlers will kill your dog.

The most common side effect of dogs eating Twizzlers is an upset stomach.

You should be fine if you monitor your dog and ensure they’re not displaying any severe symptoms.

If you’re ever concerned about your dog, contact your veterinarian.