Tootsie Rolls and Pops are candies enjoyed around the world! Who could avoid eating something that’s something like taffy with a chocolate flavoring? But what about sharing these with your dog?
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What is in Tootsie Rolls?
Tootsie Rolls are a bit like taffy, and they have a cocoa taste. These long-lasting, chewy candies are chocolatey goodness. They were first developed by Leo Hirshfield, who owned a small candy shop in New York City. He first began making these candies back in 1907, and they’ve been popular ever since.
Tootsie Rolls contain sugar and chocolate, both of which taste great together. However, these can be bad for dogs.
Sugar & Chocolate: A Bad Combination for Dogs
Sugar, on its own, is bad for dogs. This is because too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, weight gain, obesity and even diabetes. When a dog has too much sugar, they may experience times of hyperactivity when they have a sugar high, and then they have a low, when the sugar high crashes down. Dogs may also experience agitation, blood shot eyes, urinary tract/kidney infection, and more.
Then there’s chocolate. Chocolate is a known toxin to dogs. This is because it contains two substances that dogs are not able to metabolize: theobromine and caffeine. Even small amounts of chocolate can be very bad for your dog due to these ingredients. While it may seem that Tootsie Rolls don’t contain a large amount of chocolate, they do have enough to make your dog very sick.
It’s important to note that different types of chocolate don’t have the same amount of theobromine in them—it varies. For example, dark chocolate has more theobromine that milk chocolate.
Not only that, but your dog’s weight and the amount and type of chocolate he’s eaten will determine how toxic the chocolate will be for him.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten chocolate:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Hyperactivity
- Excessive drooling
- Increase in thirst
- Racing heart
- High blood pressure
- Heart arrhythmias
- Seizures
- Tremors/twitching
- Cardiac failure
- Muscle rigidity
- Collapse
- Death
If you notice these symptoms, then call your vet immediately—this is a life-threatening medical emergency. With fast treatment, most dogs will make a full and complete recovery.
Tootsie Roll Wrappers Can Be Dangerous
Another potential danger are the Tootsie Roll wrappers. Tootsie Rolls are wrapped in a waxy paper that is non-toxic. If a dog eats one or two wrappers, he should be OK. But what happens if your dog eats several candy wrappers?
The problem here depends on your dog’s size. If a large dog, such as a German Shepherd, eats several Tootsie Roll candy wrappers, chances are he will be OK. However, if a smaller dog, such as a Yorkshire Terrier, eats that same number of candy wrappers, he could become very sick. In this case, the candy wrappers could cause intestinal obstruction. This is a serious condition that can be life-threatening.
If a larger dog eats an entire package of candy wrappers, he could also develop this serious condition.
Symptoms of Intestinal Obstruction in Dogs
Your dog could show the following symptoms after eating Tootsie Roll candy wrappers:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness/lethargy
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain and swelling
If your dog shows these symptoms, call the vet immediately. This could be a life-threatening emergency.
How to Keep Your Dog from Eating Tootsie Rolls
Prevention is always the best way to keep your dog happy and healthy! Here are some steps you can take to keep your dog from eating Tootsie Rolls and candy wrappers:
- Keep all Tootsie Rolls (and all sweets) out of your dog’s reach.
- Store candy where your dog can’t gain access to it.
- Invest in a dog-proof waste basket.
- Don’t give your dog candy.
- Ensure everyone in the family knows not to give your fur baby candy.
As you can see, chocolate and sugar, even in Tootsie Rolls and their candy wrappers, are not safe to give your dog. And if your dog accidentally eats a Tootsie Roll, then it’s extremely important to seek treatment right away.
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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