In this brief discussion, we’ll answer the question “ can dogs eat red licorice? “ We will also discuss the ingredients used to make licorice, the harmful effects of licorice, the symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs, and what will happen if your dog eats licorice.
Can dogs eat red licorice?
No, dogs cannot eat red licorice. Licorice candy of any kind is not healthy for dogs since it contains toxic substances. Licorice root extract provides many health benefits to humans. However, it is not safe or healthy for dogs because it has glycyrrhizin.
This chemical compound is harmful to dogs in large quantities. Moreover, red licorice is mostly sugar which is not ideal for dog health. Dogs can suffer from many health consequences after eating red licorice. Therefore, you should not give red licorice to dogs.
Can dogs eat black licorice?
No, dogs cannot eat black licorice. Black licorice contains little amounts of licorice root extract. Licorice root extract is harmful to dogs in large quantities because it contains glycyrrhizin.
Glycyrrhizin is toxic for dogs. Moreover. Black licorice also contains anise that is responsible for providing flavor to the candy. Anise can highly upset your dog’s stomach which results in diarrhea and vomiting. Therefore, black licorice is not good for dogs.
What ingredients are used to make licorice candies?
Licorice candies are mostly made of sugar, wheat flour, and high-fructose corn syrup. All these ingredients are not ideal for dogs. Some licorice candies may also contain licorice root extract while the majority of them do not.
They also contain artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners which can be highly toxic for dogs. Therefore, it is better not to feed licorice candy to dogs whether it is red or black.
Can licorice raise my dog’s blood pressure?
Yes, licorice can raise your dog’s blood pressure. Licorice candies that contain licorice root extract can raise the blood pressure of dogs. Glycyrrhizin, a chemical compound found in licorice root extract is responsible for disturbing the blood pressure levels of dogs.
This can lead to several health consequences, especially if your dog is hypertensive. Therefore, you should avoid feeding licorice to dogs, particularly the ones suffering from heart diseases.
Is the high sugar content of red licorice harmful to dogs?
Yes, the high sugar content of red licorice is harmful to dogs. Sugar is highly unhealthy for dogs as it can create many short and long-term health issues in dogs. Excess sugar consumption can upset your dog’s stomach.
Moreover, it can also create dental health problems such as tooth decay. Excess sugar consumption also increases the chances of unhealthy weight gain in dogs. This makes dogs more prone to obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases.
Can red licorice cause bowel obstruction?
No, red licorice cannot cause bowel obstruction but licorice wrapper can. The wrappers used to cover the red licorice are harmful to dogs as dogs can swallow it and suffer from intestinal obstruction.
The wrapper can get stuck in their intestine due to which dogs can experience abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and bloating. Dogs can also choke on the wrapper which is why you should keep red licorice candy away from dogs.
Do licorice candies contain xylitol?
Yes, some licorice candies contain xylitol. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in many food products for sweetness. It is safe for human consumption but it is toxic for dogs. Xylitol has been known to reduce the blood sugar levels of dogs which creates many health problems for them.
Therefore, you should not feed licorice candies to dogs especially red licorice because it contains many artificial ingredients and a high amount of sugar. Dogs can suffer from several uncomfortable symptoms of xylitol toxicity on excess consumption of licorice.
What are the symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs?
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is highly unsafe for dog consumption. It has been known to drastically lower blood sugar levels in dogs. Lowered blood sugar levels can further lead to many health complications. Here are some of the symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs:
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Lack of coordination
- difficulty walking or standing
- Weakness/sluggishness or lethargy
- Tremors and Seizures can also occur in some cases
- Dogs can also enter a coma in extreme cases
- A sudden drop in blood sugar levels is the most prominent symptom of xylitol poisoning
Dogs can also experience liver failure in severe cases. Therefore, it is important to recognize xylitol poisoning in time to ensure your dog’s safety.
What will happen if my dog eats red licorice?
If your dog eats red licorice, he can experience the symptoms of an upset stomach. Dogs can suffer from abdominal, pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.
Conclusion:
We answered the question “ can dogs eat red licorice? “ We also discussed the ingredients used to make licorice, the harmful effects of licorice, the symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs, and what will happen if your dog eats licorice.
References:
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/can-dogs-eat-licorice#what-to-do-if-your-dog-eats-licorice
https://www.hepper.com/can-dogs-eat-black-and-red-licorice/
