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Can Labs Eat It? Food Safety

Halloween Candy and Your Lab: What's Dangerous

By · Updated · 5 sources

No. Keep Halloween candy away from dogs

Don't share Halloween treats with your Lab. Chocolate, sugar-free candy and gum sweetened with xylitol, and raisins can all poison dogs, and you often can't tell what a candy contains by looking at it. If your Lab raids the candy bowl, call your vet or a pet poison line.

Chocolate Labrador sitting and looking up at the camera
Photo by Jen Vazquez on Unsplash
On this page (7)
  1. Quick answers
  2. The three big candy dangers
  3. If your Lab got into the candy
  4. Other Halloween hazards (AVMA)
  5. A dog-safe alternative
  6. FAQ
  7. Sources

Quick answers

What should I do if my Lab ate Halloween candy?

Collect the wrappers to see what was eaten, especially chocolate type, sugar-free candy or gum (xylitol) and raisins, and estimate how much. Then call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Don’t make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to. Answer page →

Halloween puts bowls of candy at nose height and the front door on a constant swing, which is a lot of temptation for a Lab. The AVMA puts it simply: don’t feed pets Halloween treats. Here’s why, and what to do if your dog gets into the stash anyway.

The three big candy dangers

1. Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder are far more dangerous than milk chocolate. Merck lists roughly 150–160 mg of methylxanthines per ounce in dark chocolate versus 64 mg in milk chocolate. Read the full breakdown in Can Labs eat chocolate?, and use the chocolate toxicity calculator with your dog’s weight and the wrappers you found before you call.

2. Xylitol in sugar-free candy and gum

Sugar-free gum, mints and candy often contain xylitol, which can drop a dog’s blood sugar dangerously and, at higher doses, damage the liver. The Merck Veterinary Manual links doses above about 100 mg/kg to low blood sugar. Gum can delay signs for 12 to 18 hours. More in peanut butter and xylitol.

3. Raisins

Boxes of raisins and raisin-filled treats show up in trick-or-treat bags too. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, with no known safe amount (VCA).

As the AVMA notes, you often can’t tell what’s inside a candy just by looking at it. Treat any unknown candy as a possible problem.

If your Lab got into the candy

  1. Move your dog away and collect every wrapper you can find.
  2. Work out what was eaten: chocolate type and amount, anything sugar-free, any raisins.
  3. Call your vet, an emergency clinic, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.
  4. Don’t induce vomiting at home unless a vet tells you to.

Wrappers can also cause choking or a blockage, so mention them on the call.

Other Halloween hazards (AVMA)

  • ID first. Make sure your Lab has a microchip, collar and tag in case they slip out the door during trick-or-treating.
  • Candles and jack-o’-lanterns belong out of reach of wagging tails and curious noses.
  • Decorations, glow sticks, batteries and costume pieces can cause choking, internal injury or illness if chewed.
  • Costumes for dogs should fit well, have nothing that can be chewed off, and not block sight, hearing, breathing or movement. Practice before the big night and never leave a costumed dog alone.
  • Nervous or mouthy dogs do better in a quiet room away from the front door.
  • Keep pets indoors on Halloween night.

A dog-safe alternative

Want your Lab to join in? Hand out their regular treats, or a few pieces of a safe fruit like apple slices or blueberries, and count them in their daily calories. Our toy guide has stuffable toys that keep a Lab busy while the doorbell rings. For other foods, see the full Can Labs eat it? series.

Frequently asked questions

My dog ate Halloween candy. What should I do?

Gather the wrappers to see what was eaten (chocolate type, sugar-free or not, raisins), estimate how much, and call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Are candy wrappers dangerous for dogs?

Wrappers and other non-food items can cause choking or get stuck in the gut, which is why the AVMA warns that costume pieces and decorations can cause choking or internal injury. Call your vet if your Lab vomits repeatedly, strains to pass stool or seems painful after eating wrappers.

Are glow sticks toxic to dogs?

The AVMA says the liquid in glow sticks tastes bad and can make pets drool or act strangely but isn't likely to be harmful. The plastic pieces are still a choking risk, so keep them away from chewers.

Sources

  1. AVMA: Halloween pet safety
  2. Merck Veterinary Manual: Chocolate toxicosis in animals
  3. Merck Veterinary Manual: Xylitol toxicosis in dogs
  4. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People foods to avoid feeding your pets
  5. VCA Animal Hospitals: Grape, raisin, and currant poisoning in dogs
  • Can Labs Eat Chocolate?
    No. Chocolate's theobromine and caffeine can poison dogs. See how much is dangerous for a Lab by chocolate type, symptoms, and what to do right now.
  • Can Labs Eat Grapes or Raisins?
    No. Grapes, raisins and currants can cause kidney failure in dogs, with no known safe amount. Symptoms, what to do and who to call if your Lab ate one.
  • Can Labs Eat Strawberries?
    Yes, in moderation. Strawberries are a low-calorie treat for Labs. How many to give, how to prepare them, and the few things to avoid.
  • Can Labs Eat Bananas?
    Yes, in moderation. Bananas are safe for dogs but sugary: a whole one is about 105 calories. How much to give a Lab, banana peels, and treat ideas.
  • Can Labs Eat Apples?
    Yes. Apple slices are a crunchy, low-calorie treat for Labs. Remove the core, seeds and stem first. How much to give and why the seeds matter.

Browse all 9 guides in Can Labs Eat It? Food Safety

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