Are Sour Skittles Bad For Dogs To Eat?

 

Sour skittles aren't necessarily bad for dogs, but they can be toxic in high enough quantities to make a dog ill. Xylitol, a sugar found in skittles, can lead to dental problems, vomiting, and diarrhea. So is it safe to give your dog sour skittles? Read on to find out. We also explore the side effects of skittles for dogs.

Will Sour Skittles Cause Hypoglycemia In Dogs?

A dog can develop an acute episode of hypoglycemia from consuming sour candies such as Skittles. Sour candies contain xylitol, a sugar alcohol that is harmful to dogs. Its high sugar content stimulates the pancreas to release excessive amounts of insulin, and the excess glucose is used up by fat tissue and muscle cells. Xylitol in sour skittles can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia in dogs. If a dog ingests more than 0.1g/kg of xylitol, hypoglycemia can occur, and symptoms of the condition may include collapse, lethargy, seizures, stumbling, and acute liver failure.

Sugar is bad for dogs, but small amounts are not harmful. Skittles are almost entirely sugar. Skittles have no other ingredients. Even though Skittles can be dangerous for dogs, the moderate intake is safe. Nevertheless, if you're going to give your dog a treat, make sure you keep it out of reach and never give them candy deliberately.

Even though xylitol in sour skittles is safe for dogs in small quantities, it can damage the kidneys, cause seizures, and result in a life-threatening condition. A dog with Celiac disease should not consume bubble gum. As a result, the risk of death increases. But skittles contain sugar and corn syrup, which are both safe for dogs.