Reviewed by Renee Schmid DVM, DABT, DABVT · Last updated: October 2026

Halloween brings candy bowls, trick-or-treat bags, and plenty of chances for a curious pet to sneak a treat. If your dog got into candy, it’s natural to feel worried. Our veterinary toxicology experts are here to help you understand what risks matter most.

Dogs should not eat candy. The sugar in candy can upset a dog’s stomach. Sugary, high-fat candy can also potentially lead to pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas.

Some candy ingredients are toxic to dogs, including chocolate, xylitol (found in sugar-free candy and gum), and raisins. Swallowed wrappers can also cause blockages. If your dog got into candy, we recommend calling Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian.

Never induce vomiting at home without guidance from a trusted veterinary professional. Inducing vomiting isn’t safe for every pet or every exposure. Our team will guide you on the safest next step.

Halloween Candy Chart: What Makes Each Candy a Concern

Calls to Pet Poison Helpline often rise during Halloween week, and many involve pets getting into candy. Use this chart to understand why each type of candy is a concern.

The amount eaten and your dog’s size and health also play a role. For that reason, we recommend getting guidance from Pet Poison Helpline or a trusted veterinarian about any candy exposure for guidance specific to your dog.

Candy or item	What’s the concern	Learn more
Chocolate (candy bars, chocolate-covered treats, baking chocolate)	Contains theobromine and caffeine. Dogs process these stimulants very slowly.	Chocolate poisoning in dogs
Sugar-free candy, gum, and mints	Can contain xylitol. Xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver failure.	Xylitol poisoning
Raisins and chocolate-covered raisins	Can cause acute kidney failure.	Raisin poisoning
Cannabis edibles (gummies, brownies, candies)	Can cause THC poisoning.	My dog ate an edible
Sugar-free marshmallows, gummies, and peppermints	May contain xylitol. Check the label.	Can dogs eat marshmallows?
Sugary candy (candy corn, Skittles, Starburst, Twizzlers, Sour Patch Kids, jelly beans, Smarties, Nerds, caramel)	Sugar can cause stomach upset. Sugary, high-fat candy can potentially lead to pancreatitis.	Can dogs eat caramel?
Wrappers and foil	Can be a choking risk and can cause a blockage in the intestines.	See the wrapper section below
Glow sticks and glow jewelry	Contain a bitter liquid that can cause drooling, gagging, and irritation.	Glow jewelry

Why Is Candy Bad for Dogs?

Candy is bad for dogs because candy offers no nutritional value. Many candies contain additional ingredients that pose risks to pets. 

Sugar. The high sugar content in candy can cause stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.

Sugar and fat together. Sugary, high-fat candy can potentially lead to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can be extremely painful for dogs and potentially serious. Signs of pancreatitis can take a few days to appear. Signs can include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy (unusual tiredness or low energy), and belly pain. In severe cases, pancreatitis can lead to kidney failure or damage to other organs.

Hidden ingredients. Many candies contain chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or nuts. Each of these ingredients brings its own risks. Candy wrappers can cause problems, too.

Halloween Candy Ingredients That Are Toxic to Dogs

Chocolate

Chocolate is consistently among the top reasons pet parents call Pet Poison Helpline, and most of those calls involve dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Dogs process these two stimulants far more slowly than people do.

The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more theobromine the chocolate contains. Signs of chocolate poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, restlessness, an elevated heart rate, and seizures.

Signs can take several hours to appear. A dog who seems fine may still need further care, so we recommend calling right away rather than waiting for signs. Learn more about what to do if your dog ate chocolate.

Xylitol (Sugar-Free, Low-Sugar, Candy and Gum)

Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum, breath mints, candies, and baked goods. In dogs, xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar that can develop quickly. Xylitol can also cause liver failure. Signs can include vomiting, weakness, difficulty walking, tremors, and seizures.

The amount of xylitol varies widely between products, and even between flavors of the same brand. It’s best to check the label on any sugar-free candy and share what you find with our team. Learn more about xylitol poisoning in dogs.

Raisins

Small boxes of raisins are a popular “healthy” Halloween handout. However, raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. There’s no way to predict which dogs are most sensitive to raisins.

Signs can include vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy, and belly pain. Kidney damage can occur before obvious signs develop. For that reason, we recommend calling as soon as you know your dog got into raisins. Chocolate-covered raisins combine two concerns at once. Learn more about raisin poisoning in dogs.

Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis Edibles such as gummies, brownies, and candies are the most common way pets are exposed to THC. Edibles can look like regular Halloween treats, which makes edibles easy to mix up with the candy bowl.

Signs of THC poisoning can appear quickly and can last for 1-2 days. Signs can include vomiting, dilated pupils, lethargy, difficulty walking, dribbling urine, tremors, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. Cannabis brownies and other baked edibles may also contain chocolate. Learn more in My Dog Ate an Edible.

Can Dogs Eat Smarties, Nerds, Tootsie Rolls, Lollipops, or Jelly Beans?

Dogs should not eat Smarties, Nerds, Tootsie Rolls, lollipops, or jelly beans. Most of these candies don’t contain chocolate, xylitol, or raisins in their standard forms. Tootsie Rolls are the exception, since Tootsie Rolls contain cocoa.

Plain sugary candy often causes mild stomach upset or no signs at all. Even so, we recommend calling to confirm the details. Flavors, sugar-free versions, and mixed bags can be difficult to identify, and wrappers add their own risks.

Smarties

Dogs should not eat Smarties. Smarties are tablet candies made mostly of sugar, which can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Smarties come in twisted cellophane wrappers that dogs often swallow along with the candy. Count the missing rolls and mention any swallowed wrappers when you call. This helps our team assess the risk of a blockage.

Nerds

Dogs should not eat Nerds. Nerds are almost entirely sugar, which can upset your dog’s stomach. Nerds boxes are also easy for a dog to tear open and empty. Nerds Gummy Clusters add a gummy center, so it’s best to check the label of any gummy or sugar-free candy for xylitol.

Tootsie Rolls

Dogs should not eat Tootsie Rolls. Tootsie Rolls contain cocoa, and cocoa contains theobromine, the same compound that makes chocolate toxic to dogs. Tootsie Rolls are also sticky and individually wrapped in waxed paper that dogs may swallow. We recommend treating a Tootsie Roll exposure as a chocolate exposure and calling for guidance specific to your dog.

Lollipops

Dogs should not eat lollipops. Sugar-free lollipops may contain xylitol, so check the label right away. The lollipop stick is a separate concern, since dogs may chew and swallow the stick along with the candy. If your dog got into a lollipop and the stick is missing, mention the missing stick when you call.

Jelly Beans

Dogs should not eat jelly beans. Jelly beans are mostly sugar, which can cause stomach upset. Some energy or sports jelly beans also contain added caffeine. Caffeine can cause restlessness, vomiting, an elevated heart rate, and tremors in dogs. Check the label for caffeine and, on sugar-free varieties, for xylitol. Learn more about caffeine poisoning.

Candy Wrappers, Foil, and Lollipop Sticks

Dogs don’t pause to unwrap candy. Candy wrappers can be a choking risk. Foil and cellophane wrappers can also cause a serious blockage in the intestines.

If your dog swallowed a candy wrapper or plastic wrapper, watch for:

• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Straining to pass stool, or not passing stool
• Lethargy

We recommend calling Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian even if your dog seems fine after swallowing a wrapper. A veterinary professional will guide your next steps. Count how many wrappers are missing. Let our team know whether the candy inside contained chocolate, xylitol, or raisins, since these details help our team assess the full exposure.

To help prevent wrapper exposures, throw away wrappers in a covered trash can.

Signs To Watch For After Your Dog Gets Into Candy

The signs you might see depend on what your dog ate.

Stomach Upset and Pancreatitis

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Belly pain

Pancreatitis signs can take a few days to appear. If you notice any of these signs, contact Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian.

Signs That Need Immediate Care

• Restlessness, agitation, or hyperactivity
• Elevated heart rate
• Weakness, wobbliness, or difficulty walking
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Collapse

These signs can point to chocolate, xylitol, caffeine, or cannabis poisoning. If your dog shows any of these signs, seek veterinary care right away or call Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

It’s best and safest to call as soon as you know your dog got into candy, rather than waiting to see what happens. Early guidance generally gives your veterinary team more options to keep your dog safe. 

What Candy Can Dogs Eat?

Dogs should not eat any candy made for people. Candy without chocolate or xylitol still isn’t a good treat for dogs.

If you want to include your dog in the Halloween fun, choose treats made specifically for dogs. You can also offer small amounts of dog-friendly fruits, such as:

• Apple slices (with the core and seeds removed)
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Watermelon (without seeds)
• Cantaloupe

Keep the candy bowl, trick-or-treat bags, and leftover wrappers out of reach. Remind kids and guests not to share candy with pets, and offer a dog-safe treat instead so everyone can still include your pet. For more seasonal tips, see our Halloween pet safety guide.

Can Cats Eat Candy?

Cats should not eat candy. Cats have a decreased ability to taste sweetness, so cats are less drawn to candy than dogs are. Even so, candy is not safe for cats.

Chocolate is toxic to cats as well. Cats are typically smaller than dogs, so we recommend calling about any chocolate exposure in a cat. Raisins may also cause kidney failure in cats. Learn more in Can Cats Eat Chocolate?

Candy wrappers can also cause problems if a curious cat chews and swallows a wrapper. If your cat got into candy or a wrapper, contact Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian for guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs have candy?
Dogs should not have candy. Candy offers dogs no nutritional value, and the sugar can cause stomach upset. Sugary, high-fat candy can potentially lead to pancreatitis. Candy containing chocolate, xylitol, or raisins is toxic to dogs.

What Halloween candy is toxic to dogs?
The Halloween candy ingredients that are toxic to dogs include chocolate, xylitol (found in sugar-free candy and gum), raisins, and cannabis edibles. Any candy can cause stomach upset or pancreatitis, and wrappers can cause blockages. We recommend contacting Pet Poison Helpline if your dog got into any Halloween candy.

Will a little bit of sugar hurt a dog?
A little bit of sugar isn’t toxic to dogs, but sugar can cause stomach upset and offers no nutritional benefit. The bigger concern is what else the sugary food contains, such as chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or nuts. Check the label and contact Pet Poison Helpline to confirm whether your dog needs further care.

My dog got into a whole bag of candy. What should I do?
If your dog got into a whole bag of candy, gather the wrappers to work out what and how much your dog ate. Check the labels for chocolate, xylitol, and raisins, and count any missing wrappers. Then call Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian right away, even if your dog seems fine. Never induce vomiting at home without guidance from a trusted veterinary professional.

My dog swallowed a candy wrapper. Is the wrapper dangerous?
A swallowed candy wrapper can be dangerous for dogs. Candy wrappers can be a choking risk, and foil and cellophane wrappers can cause a blockage in the intestines. Watch for vomiting, decreased appetite, straining to pass stool, or lethargy. We recommend contacting Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian for guidance.

Can cats eat candy?
Cats should not eat candy. Cats can’t taste sweetness the way people and dogs can, but chocolate is still toxic to cats, and raisins may cause kidney failure. Glow sticks and candy wrappers are also common Halloween concerns for cats.

Get Expert Help 24/7

Halloween is one of the busiest times of year for pet poisoning calls. If your dog or cat got into the candy bowl and you’re not sure what to do, Pet Poison Helpline is here to help. Our veterinary toxicology experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for all species and all toxins.

Call 855-764-7661 for expert toxicology guidance when your pet needs it most. A single $99 fee per case includes unlimited follow-up calls for that case.