So you forgot and left your bowl of jolly ranchers on your coffee table only to come back and find your dog on it. Your pup seemed to be enjoying the tasty candies, and there was no sign at all that he would give up on the dish any soon.
Well, much more like you, your dog loves jolly ranchers. They are just as sweet to your pup as to you, and with the opportunity, your canine will outeat you. But that’s a topic for another day.
Today, let’s look at something close to that—what should you do if your dog ate your jolly ranchers? I know that’s what brought you here, and you just came to the right page. We will answer that question in a bit, but first, let’s begin with the basics;
Contents
What is Jolly Rancher?
Jolly rancher is an American hard candy brand whose history dates back to 1949. The treats come in various flavors—watermelon, cherry, grape, strawberry, blue raspberry, green apple, and more.
The candies are slightly sour but mostly sweet to taste, and that’s why most people, you included, love them. You only get about 24 calories in every piece of jolly rancher you eat. In other words, it simply is a treat that almost everyone can enjoy, including the big guys who are dieting.
And while they are healthy for humans to eat, that doesn’t mean they are as safe for dogs. And neither are they bad for dogs—we only intend to emphasize the importance of taking caution every time you are feeding them to your dog.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate a Jolly Rancher?
What you should do after your dog eats jolly rancher depends on the amount the canine ate. If your dog took a large number of them, call the vet as soon as possible to seek the way forward.
However, if your dog ate only a few, and you are sure about it, there isn’t much to worry about unless you have a diabetic pet. If you aren’t sure of the amount your dog took, assume that it was large. So again, contact your vet.
Also, you have to ask yourself whether your pup took them together with the wrappers. That’s very likely, especially if it was accidental, but find out anyway.
A few of these wrappers will most likely not cause your dog any harm. However, if your canine ate several jolly ranchers together with their wrappers, that could mean trouble. So, as you visit the vet, ensure that you tell him about it.
Jolly ranchers can cause problems. Wrappers can also attract issues of their own. So, always ensure that you report the two if indeed your dog ate them both.
Jolly rancher wrappers can cause intestinal blockage when ingested in large quantities. So, ensure that you pay an emergency vet visit to seek the solution before trouble begins to show up.
What Happens If a Dog Eats a Jolly Rancher?
Much can happen after a dog eats a jolly rancher. To be more precise, what to expect after it happens will depend on the eaten quantity and the circumstances surrounding the whole thing.
On the quantity, more will usually attract more trouble. And when I say more, it’s relative to what your pet is used to eating, and not merely the count of the treats.
In other words, we don’t have a “safe” amount of intake that cuts across all dogs. Some dogs will react to only a few jolly ranchers, while others won’t have any issue after eating an equal number or even more of these treats. So, it’s all about the individual dog’s ability to handle the amount they eat.
If your dog bites off more than he can chew, you can expect the candies to cause him stomach upsets. That may lead to conditions such as diarrhea and vomiting.
However, if your dog took an amount less or equivalent to what they have been eating, then you shouldn’t expect them to have any issues. But again, I don’t mean that it’s okay to give your dogs lots of these treats—not even when their digestive systems can handle it.
These sweet treats have a high sugar content that can attract several health issues when offered in large amounts. Actually, most dog experts recommend that no matter how much your dog can handle, you shouldn’t exceed 10 grams of this treat. Again, it should only come as an occasional treat.
On the circumstances surrounding the whole thing, if your dog took a few treats with wrappers, it likely won’t lead to anything serious. However, where the dog swallows several of these wrappers, it could lead to intestinal blockage.
True, dogs have a very long list of things they can eat. Nevertheless, that shouldn’t fool you into thinking they have less sensitive stomachs. Anyone with deep knowledge about pets will tell you that canines have very delicate digestive systems. They may not look like it, but that’s what they are.
Are Jolly Ranchers Toxic For Dogs?
We all know that some human treats can be very toxic to dogs. That explains why you should not share with your furry friend every other snack you buy. How about jolly ranchers—are they poisonous to dogs?
No, jolly ranchers aren’t toxic to dogs. Sure, they may cause upset stomachs and other digestive issues in dogs, but that’s something that will happen with any other food.
These treats contain sugar, syrup, malic acid, natural flavor, artificial flavor, artificial color, and mineral oil. All these ingredients won’t harm your pet, especially when taken in smaller quantities.
However, if your dog has unique dietary requirements, either because of diabetes or any other health condition, be cautious of what you offer them. Before you give them jolly rancher or any other treat, first consult with your vet.
The pet doctor will tell you whether it’s safe or not. If healthy, he will also suggest the correct amount depending on your pet’s needs. And remember to begin with a small amount and grow it gradually until you attain the recommended quantity.
Can My Dog Get Sick If He Ate a Large Number of Jolly Ranchers Accidentally?
More like humans, dogs love sugary treats, including jolly ranchers. In fact, if your pup sneaks into your jar of jolly ranchers, they are more likely to eat them in a large number. And if your instincts won’t prompt you to get back soon, it’s no surprise at all to come back to an empty jar.
And so, what happens when your dog eats a jar of these candies? Will your canine become sick? Let’s find out as well.
We said that too much of anything isn’t healthy for dogs. So, don’t expect these sweet candies to remain just as sweet in their stomach. When taken in large amounts, jolly ranchers will make your dog sick.
Your dog’s digestive system is usually the most affected by overeating sugary treats like jolly ranchers. Even a single occurrence of massive ingestion will cause vomiting and diarrhea, and as a result, your pet may become dehydrated.
Where your dog has the habit of stealing your jolly ranchers, that’s even more dangerous. Eating jolly ranchers repeatedly in large amounts will cause adverse issues like diabetes and obesity. And as we all know, all these conditions create a way for a series of other illnesses.
How To Keep My Dog Away From Jolly Ranchers?
Now that you know jolly ranchers can cause your dog several health issues, avoid taking any chances. As a responsible dog owner, the best thing you can do is keep your canine away from these treats. And here’s how;
1. Relocate the Treats
One surefire way you can do this is by changing the location of the treats. Dogs are intelligent beings. If your canine has been seeing you get the treats from one counter day in day out, he already knows where to come when you turn your back.
The best you can do is relocate them to a locked cabinet where your dog cannot reach them. This way, you are sure that even if your Fido enters the room when you are away, no way he will access the treats.
2. Obedience Training is Key
Obedience training will also help keep your canine away from your jolly ranchers. Perhaps your dog is stealing because you’ve never taught them that the behavior is inappropriate. So yes, before you call your dog a thief, ask yourself if you’ve played your part in training them.
3. Beware of Separation Anxiety
For trained dogs, sneaky behavior will most likely happen when there’s separation anxiety. Your pup is a social being who loves spending most time around people.
When left alone for long periods, your pup, like any other, will develop separation anxiety. That can cause inappropriate behavior such as stealing treats and destroying things around the house.
4. Stick To the Feeding Routine
Again, ensure that your dog is well-fed. One thing that will make your dog sneak into that bowl of jolly ranchers is when hunger knocks and you fail to respond. Dogs are routine animals, and it’s best to follow a routine when dealing with them, even when it comes to feeding.
5. Never Underestimate the Need For Exercise
Finally, exercise can also be a reliable tool for keeping your dog away from your treats. Provide enough stimulation, both physical and mental. At times boredom is what will drive your pup to your jolly ranchers. Walks, play, and runs are all healthy ways of keeping your dog mentally and physically stimulated.
Conclusion: Can Dog Eat Jolly Rancher?
Although it’s unlikely that Jolly ranchers will make your dog sick, it’s good to keep in mind that no two dogs are the same. Some will react to very minimal intakes. Others will eat a large number of these treats without experiencing any side effects.
However, one thing to keep in mind is the high sugar content. In fact, for that reason, offer jolly ranchers occasionally and in small quantities, but only after the vet’s go-ahead!
