Can Dogs Eat Sweets and Snacks?
We’ve reviewed 11 sweets and snacks so far. 5 are OK only in small amounts. 2 are better skipped. 4 are toxic.
Reviewed by Dr. Adam Polosetski, DVM · 89 foods, each with its veterinary sources · updated Oct 20, 2026
Quick answers
Can dogs eat sweets and snacks?
OK only in small amounts: Honey, Lucky Charms, Marshmallow Fluff, Marshmallows and Peeps.
Which sweets and snacks should dogs avoid?
Toxic: Cannabis edibles, Chocolate, Gum and breath mints and Xylitol. Better skipped: Frosting and Sprinkles. If your dog ate something toxic, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away, even if she seems fine. Both answer 24/7. Don’t try to make her vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Can dogs eat sweets and snacks?
| Food | Can she eat it? | The short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabis edibles | Toxic | No, cannabis edibles are toxic to dogs; THC hits dogs harder than people, and edibles often also contain chocolate or xylitol, which are toxic too. |
| Chocolate | Toxic | No, chocolate is toxic to dogs, and the darker it is, the greater the risk: dark chocolate and cocoa powder carry far more methylxanthines than milk chocolate. |
| Frosting | Skip it | No, regular human frosting is out for dogs because of the sugar, and sugar-free frosting may contain xylitol. |
| Gum and breath mints | Toxic | No, keep gum and breath mints away from your dog; many sugar-free kinds contain xylitol, and even one piece can poison a small dog. |
| Honey | A little | Yes in small amounts for most dogs, per the AKC, but not raw honey for puppies or dogs with weakened immune systems, and none for diabetic dogs. |
| Lucky Charms | A little | A few spilled Lucky Charms won't hurt a dog, but a bowl of the sugary cereal isn't a dog breakfast. |
| Marshmallow Fluff | A little | A lick of Marshmallow Fluff is harmless for a dog, but an open jar can mean a lot of sugar fast. |
| Marshmallows | A little | A plain regular marshmallow now and then won't hurt a dog, but sugar-free marshmallows can contain xylitol, which is dangerous. |
| Peeps | A little | A bite of a Peep is fine for a dog since nothing in it is toxic, but it is a lot of sugar and a whole tray means a stomachache. |
| Sprinkles | Skip it | Better to skip: sprinkles and edible cake decorations are on the vet-written Zoetis avoid list, so keep the top of her cake plain. |
| Xylitol | Toxic | No, xylitol is dangerous for dogs: it triggers a big insulin release that crashes blood sugar, sometimes within 30 minutes, and can damage the liver at higher amounts. |
