I’m the kind of person who loves sweets — chocolate, candy, pudding, brigadeiro… all of it!
And I’ll admit, when I first started living with Max (my food-obsessed and curious Labrador), I thought that “just a little piece” wouldn’t hurt.
I mean, he would give me that angelic look, lick the air, and boom — I was already thinking of sharing my dessert.
One day, I gave him a small fruit-flavored candy. One of those simple ones we eat without thinking.
At first, everything seemed fine. But after a few minutes, Max got a little restless, then nauseous… and threw up.
That’s when it hit me: what tastes good to us can be very dangerous for dogs.
Since then, I’ve talked to vets, done my research, and learned a lot.
Today I want to share the reasons why sweets and candy should stay far away from your dog’s bowl.
1. Too much sugar is harmful
Most candy and sweets are packed with refined sugar, which is terrible for dogs.
Their digestive systems are different from ours and not built to handle that much glucose.
Too much sugar can lead to obesity, dental problems, diabetes, and even pancreatitis.
Believe it or not, even a single candy can upset a sensitive dog’s stomach.
2. Xylitol: the hidden danger
This one’s the worst and deserves extra attention.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in sugar-free candy, gum, “light” sweets, and even products like toothpaste and mouthwash.
It’s safe for humans, but extremely toxic to dogs.
When a dog ingests xylitol, their body releases a large amount of insulin — as if it had consumed a lot of sugar.
This leads to:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Liver failure
- And in severe cases, even death
This isn’t an exaggeration. A friend of mine lost her dog because of a small piece of gum that fell on the floor.
It was heartbreaking.
3. Chocolate is part of this too
Many people think giving chocolate to a dog is no big deal.
But chocolate contains both sugar and theobromine, which dogs can’t properly metabolize.
Depending on the type (the darker the chocolate, the worse), it can cause serious poisoning.
Max has never eaten any, but he’s tried stealing some — and I’ve been on high alert ever since.
4. Artificial colors, preservatives, and other additives
Most industrialized candy is packed with artificial dyes and preservatives, which can trigger allergies, skin irritations, and even liver problems in dogs.
Their bodies are much more sensitive than ours.
“But it’s just a little piece…”
Yeah, I’ve thought that too. I’ve heard it from others. And I almost regretted it. The truth is, it’s not worth the risk.
There are so many safe, dog-friendly treat options out there — even sweet ones made just for them — that there’s no need to share what can harm them.
These days, when I’m enjoying something sweet and Max comes over with that adorable face, I’ve got a safe treat ready just for him.
He’s happy, and I stay worry-free.
What to do if your dog eats candy or sweets?
If your dog accidentally eats any candy or sweet — especially if it contains xylitol or chocolate — call your vet immediately.
Take the product packaging with you, if possible. It really helps with diagnosis.
Time is everything in these situations!
It might seem like a nice gesture, and it might feel harmless… but sweets and candy are dangerous for dogs.
The best gift we can give them is health and safety — even if it means keeping the brigadeiro for ourselves.
Here at home, Max knows his dessert is different from mine — and that’s okay. He gets dog biscuits with banana and peanut butter — and he licks every last crumb!
Love and care go hand in paw. 💛🐶