Can Dogs Eat Gummy Bears?

The Short Answer is:

Gummy Bears should not be given to dogs. Since Gummy Bears are considered sweets or candy, feeding them to our dogs is not a good idea. Sugar and fat are abundant in these chewy candies. The health of our pets is negatively impacted by sugar and fats.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Gummy Bears?“.

Sweet (and sometimes sour) colorful and fun to eat Gummy Bears are sweet (and sometimes sour). But does it come with a price? Do gummies look harmless so can dogs consume them? Before we get into how Gummy Bears can affect your dogs health heres the short answer.  

Can dogs eat Gummy Bears? No dogs should not consume Gummy Bears. Sugar and fat are highly concentrated in Gummy Bears. Dogs can get upset stomachs diabetes obesity and a host of other health problems after eating too many Gummy Bears. Dogs are highly sensitive to xylitol an ingredient found in chewy candies.

Can dogs have Gummy Bears?

Gummy Bears should not be given to dogs. Since Gummy Bears are considered sweets or candy feeding them to our dogs is not a good idea. 

Sugar and fat are abundant in these chewy candies. The health of our pets is negatively impacted by sugar and fats.

Check out the ingredients of some of the most popular Gummy Bears in the US.

Haribo Gummy Bears Ingredients

• Corn or wheat glucose syrup.
• Sugar.
• Gelatin.
• Dextrose from wheat or corn.

Less than 2% of the following ingredients are found in Haribo Gold bears: 

• Citric acid.
• Natural and artificial flavors.
• Palm oil.
• Palm kernel oil.
• Carnauba wax.
• White beeswax.
• Yellow beeswax.
• Yellow 5.
• Red 40.
• Blue 1. 

It is possible that Haribo Gummy Bears contain wheat and traces of milk.

Albanese Gummy Bears Ingredients

• Corn Syrup from Corn.
• Sugar from Beets.
• Water.
• Gelatin.
• Citric Acid.
• Artificial and natural flavors.
• Pectin is derived from fruit.
• Coconut and canola vegetable oils (coconut oil is highly refined and not considered to be allergenic).
• Karnuba leaf wax for anti-stickiness.
• FD&C Yellow #5.
• FD&C Red #40.
• FD&C Yellow #6.
• FD&C Blue #1.
• Yellow #5 – E102.
• Red #40 – E129.
• Yellow #6 – E110.
• Blue #1 – E133.

Albanese Sugar-Free Gummy Bears Ingredients

• Maltitol Syrup.
• Water.
• Gelatin.
• Lactic Acid.
• Naturally and artificially flavored.
• Citric Acid.
• Pectin is derived from fruit.
• Canola and coconut oils (coconut oil is highly refined and not considered allergenic).
• Caribbean Leaf Wax to prevent sticking.
• Aspartame.
• FD&C Yellow #5.
• FD&C Red #40.
• FD&C Yellow #6.
• FD&C Blue #1.
• Yellow #5 – E102.
• Red #40 – E129.
• Yellow #6 – E110.
• Blue #1 – E133.

Black Forest Gummy Bears Ingredients

• Corn syrup.
• Sugar.
• Gelatin.
• Corn-based modified food starch.
• Citric acid.
• Juice from concentrate from apples.
• Sodium citrate.
• Artificial and natural flavors.
• A small amount of coconut oil for fat.
• The colors come from black carrot juice beta-carotene spirulina extract and turmeric.
• Carnauba wax.

Brach Gummy Bears Ingredients

• Corn Syrup.
• Sugar.
• Gelatin.
• Corn-based modified food starch.
• Citric Acid.
• Apple Fruit juice from concentrate.
• Sodium Citrate.
• Naturally and artificially flavored.
• The Gummy Bears are flavored with coconut oil to add fat.
• Carnauba wax is used to add fat to the Gummy Bears.
• Red 40.
• Yellow 5.
• Blue 1.

Too much sugar consumption from Gummy Bears can cause diabetes in dogs

The thing that makes Gummy Bears fun to eat and interesting apart from their bright colors is that they are very sweet. The reason for this is their high sugar content. 

Sugar for Gummy Bears is derived from a variety of sources including:

• Corn syrup.
• Glucose is derived from corn or wheat.
• Sugar from beets.
• Maltitol syrup.

We can see that no matter what we call it glucose syrup corn syrup maltitol syrup or beet sugar they are all considered sugar. A dogs health can be seriously affected by too much sugar consumption.  

Your pooch will get an upset stomach if he or she consumes too much sugar. Thats because too much sugar can affect the balance of the microorganisms in their guts which are essential for breaking down food in the digestive system.

A dog may vomit or have explosive and bloody diarrhea if there are more bad bacteria in its gut than good bacteria.

Another health problem caused by eating too much sugary food is dental problems. Your dogs mouth is filled with bacteria that produce acids from sugar. Despite its strength the acid slowly destroys the enamel (outer coating of the teeth). As a result cavities form and tooth decay develop. 

In the same way as humans our K9 friends are at risk of obesity and weight gain if they consume sugar regularly. You should avoid giving your dogs sugary food such as Gummy Bears as this type of food is considered “empty calories”. 

Although they increase your dogs weight and calories they provide no nutritional benefits. 

A dog that begins to gain weight may experience lethargy joint pain difficulty breathing and heart disease. This will lead to the dog becoming obese.

Additionally too much sugar consumption can also affect your dogs metabolism and hormones. When your pups metabolism changes he begins to lose muscle tone store fat and become weak. 

Dogs can also suffer from Type II diabetes and in the worst cases pancreatitis if they consume too much sugar. 

We highly recommend that owners do not feed their canine family members Gummy Bears because of all these reasons.

The gelatin in Gummy Bears isn’t good for dogs

In Gummy Bears the gelatin is not good for dogs despite it being relatively good for dogs on its own. This is due to the fact that gelatin alone contains approximately 99% pure protein. The problem arises when its mixed with tons of sugar food coloring artificial flavors and fats.

You will still need to keep Gummy Bears away from dogs even though they contain gelatin.

The citric acid in Gummy Bears can be problematic for dogs in large quantities

In Gummy Bears citric acid brings out the sweet flavor and acts as a preservative. Despite helping Gummy Bears maintain longer shelf life citric acid isnot good for our furry friends. 

Dogs who consume large quantities of citric acid may suffer from central nervous system depression. 

Due to their natural dislike of the taste of citric acid most dogs will steer clear of food or fruits with citric acid on their own.

Sour foods and fruits are liked by some dogs. If your canine loves sour foods then you’ll want to be extra cautious and make sure they do not get into your bag of Gummy Bears.

Artificial flavors in Gummy Bears are harmful to dogs

Dogs should not consume artificial flavors. To make the chewy candy taste smell and look fun and attractive Gummy Bears use artificial flavors. 

All of the popular brands of Gummy Bears we have mentioned above also use artificial colorings such as Yellow 5 Red 40 and Blue 1. It is these artificial colorings that give the Gummy Bears their bright colors. 

Lets look at them one by one.

Yellow 5 and Red 40: 

Experts have warned that dyes such as Yellow 5 and Red 40 can cause health problems such as tumors hyperactivity and allergies. The dye Red 40 is made from coal tar.  

Blue 1. Another artificial coloring used in Gummy Bears. Blue 1 is a synthetic that comes from coal tar. 

It is best for owners not to feed their dogs these chewy candies because the chewy candy contains artificial colors and dyes. 

Apart from that our canine friends cannot see colors as we do so it does not matter how bright or colorful their food is. 

Protein essential vitamins and minerals are all they require at the end of the day. Doggy treats are good for your pooch but make sure they are dog-friendly before you give them.

Carnauba wax in moderation is fine for dogs

In moderation carnauba wax is not toxic to dogs according to a study done on Beagle dogs. The Beagles in this study were given carnauba wax as part of their diet. They showed no signs of toxicity in their bodies after consuming carnauba wax for 28 weeks. 

Researchers were careful about how much carnauba wax they fed the Beagle dogs in the study. Only a tiny amount of 0.1% 0.3% and 1% of their daily diets was consumed. 

The study concluded that Beagle dogs that consumed carnauba wax for 28 weeks had the same body composition as dogs that did not consume this wax. 

Are Gummy Bears bad for dogs?

Dogs should not eat Gummy Bears. Check out the nutritional profile of one of the most popular Gummy Bears the Haribo Gold bears to see why.

Nutritional Profile of Haribo Gummy Bears (1 Piece or 3 Grams)

Its easy to see that just one tiny Gummy Bear is packed with sugar calories carbohydrates and even salt. 

The owners of our canine friends do not have to feed them sugar. They naturally obtain their sugar intake from complex carbohydrates present in their well-balanced and nutritious diet.

Whenever we give them sugar whether it is from Gummy Bears or other candy we are contributing to their sugar consumption. 

Having too much sugar in your diet can lead to a multitude of health issues as we have discussed above. 

Also keep in mind that our dogs daily diet already contains the amount of salt that he or she needs. Providing them with candy that also contains salt contributes to their salt intake as well. Dogs can suffer sodium-ion poisoning as a result of too much salt consumption. 

Finally we can see that just one small Gummy Bear contains 7.7 calories and 1.8 grams of carbohydrates. Gummy Bears are empty-calorie snacks for dogs. Our dogs gain weight from them because they do not provide any nutrients. 

Gummy candy is bad for dogs right? Thats right. Gummy candy is bad for dogs. Owners should not give Gummy candy to their dogs.

Are Gummy Bears ok for dogs?

Gummy bears are not safe for dogs to eat. One Gummy Bear contains a significant amount of sugar carbs calories and even salt. Furry family members should not be exposed to Gummy Bears.

Are Gummy Bears good for dogs?

It is not good for dogs to eat gummy bears. Except for the 0.2 grams of protein in one Gummy Bear this chewy sweet and fun candy does not provide any other nutrients that will benefit dogs.

The protein they need should also come from a healthy and balanced diet not from candies such as Gummy Bears. 

In addition there are plenty of dog-friendly treats that are healthier for our beloved pooch than Gummy Bears.

Can dogs eat Haribo Gummy Bears?

Haribo Gummy Bears should not be eaten by dogs. Are Haribo Gummy Bears harmful to dogs? In fact Haribo Gummy Bears are bad for dogs since they are loaded with sugar and fat both of which are extremely harmful to them. 

These Gummy Bears contain traces of wheat and milk as well. You should avoid feeding your furry friends Haribo Gummy Bears if they have a wheat or gluten allergy or are lactose intolerant. 

Moreover artificial colorings dyes and flavors such as Yellow 5 Red 40 and Blue 1 can harm dogs. 

Looking at the ingredients of this popular Gummy Bears brand it is safe to say that we should not be feeding our beloved dogs Haribo Gummy Bears.

Do Haribo Gummy Bears have xylitol?

Fortunately Haribo Gummy Bears do not contain xylitol. Even though Gummy Bears without xylitol might appear safe for dogs Gummy Bears are still not healthy for dogs to eat. 

The popular Gummy Bear brand contains tons of sugar and too much sugar is harmful to dogs causing them to develop diabetes weight gain dental issues metabolism changes and even pancreatitis. 

What about Haribo Gummy Bears? Do they contain xylitol? There is no xylitol in Haribo Gummy Bears.

Can dogs eat Black Forest Gummy Bears?

Gummy bears from the Black Forest are not suitable for dogs. Additionally Black Forest Gummy Bears are loaded with sugar citric acid and artificial flavors.  

We do have to point out that what makes Black Forest Gummy Bears different from other popular Gummy Bear brands is that the color of the Gummies is not artificial. 

The colors in the Gummy Bears are instead derived from more natural sources including turmeric spirulina extract beta-carotene and black carrot juice. 

Even so Black Forest Gummy Bears are still not suitable for consumption by dogs. Dogs should not be allowed to eat Gummy Bears.

Do Black Forest Gummies have xylitol?

The Black Forest Gummies do not contain xylitol. To make the Gummy Bears very sweet this brand uses sugar corn syrup apple juice from concentrate and artificial and natural flavors. 

Do Albanese Gummy Bears contain xylitol?

Xylitol is not present in Albanese Gummy Bears. Both the regular Albanese Gummy Bears and the Albanese Sugar-Free Gummy Bears do not contain xylitol.

Albanese Gummy Bears are sweetened with maltitol syrup instead of xylitol. Maltitol syrup contains oligo- and polysaccharides and sorbitol and is hydrogenated glucose syrup. 

Maltitol syrup can be made from corn starch or other starch sources such as tapioca wheat or potato. This does not mean that dogs can eat Albanese Sugar-Free Gummy Bears just because they do not contain xylitol. 

Sugar-free Albanese Gummy Bears are just as bad as regular Albanese Gummy Bears so dogs should not eat either.

Can dogs eat Gummy Bears without xylitol?

Gummy Bears without xylitol are not poisonous to dogs but we still advise against feeding them Gummy Bears. Despite the presence of xylitol Gummy Bears continue to harm dogs. 

Sugar fats and calories in Gummy Bears are not suitable for canines and can negatively affect their health. 

Without xylitol regular consumption of Gummy Bears can cause your dog to gain weight develop diabetes cavities tooth decay obesity and even pancreatitis.

Can dogs die from eating Gummy Bears?

Gummy Bears can potentially kill dogs if they contain xylitol a sugar-free sweetener. Dogs are highly poisoned by xylitol. Xylitol poisoning can occur if dogs consume Gummy Bears with this sugar-free sweetener.

This is because when our precious pooch consumes food or candy that contains xylitol the xylitol gets absorbed into its bloodstream rather rapidly. As a result the pancreas releases insulin very rapidly and this rapid release of insulin causes a significant drop in blood sugar levels.

Hypoglycemia results in your dog experiencing low blood sugar. It can happen so quickly that your dog may experience a drop in blood sugar as soon as 10 minutes after eating. 

Hypoglycemia in dogs can be life-threatening and can lead to both liver and kidney failure. This condition must be treated immediately.  

Therefore its a good idea to check the ingredients of the Gummy Bears before giving them to your pet. Please do not give your pooch Gummy Bears if they list xylitol as an ingredient.

Do Gummy Bears contain xylitol?

There is no xylitol in the popular Gummy Bears we listed above. Gummy Bears without sugar contain xylitol and should be avoided. 

Albanese Sugar-Free Gummy Bears did not contain xylitol when we reviewed them. Maltitol syrup was instead used. Dogs are not affected by maltitol syrup. 

Nevertheless studies have shown that food containing maltitol can cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset in some dogs.

Therefore dogs should not consume Gummy Bears whether or not they contain xylitol.

Can puppies eat Gummy Bears?

Due to the fact that they are still growing puppies should not eat Gummy Bears. Puppies are much more sensitive to sugar consumption and because of their size they are easily affected.

So can dogs eat Gummy Bears?

Its not a good idea to share Gummy Bears with your canine companions if you are enjoying a sweet chewy candy. Gummy Bears are not only harmful to your dog but regular consumption can also lead to a whole host of health problems. 

Before sharing human snacks with your pooch be sure to check the ingredients. Whenever you’re not sure we recommend consulting your veterinarian for their professional advice and suggestions.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.