Other than the sugar, is licorice bad for dogs? Can dogs eat licorice? This is what you need to know before you let your pet eat one.
If you enjoy snacking on Twizzlers, Red Vines, or even black licorice, you might wonder if it is safe for you to share these snacks with your furry friend. Keep reading and learn all you ever wanted to know about dogs and licorice.

For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating licorice.
Can Dogs Eat Licorice

There are a few different kinds of licorice and a lot of different ingredients in them. The one thing all types of licorice have in common is sugar. Dogs should not eat too much sugar. It can lead to tooth decay, diabetes, obesity, and related health issues.
Do not feed your dog licorice. Let’s look closer at the different types of licorice, how safe they are for dogs, and what to do if your dog eats licorice.
Can Dogs Eat Licorice Candy
No, dogs should not eat licorice candy. There is far too much sugar in the candy for dogs. The sugar in the candy could rot your dog’s teeth.
The sugar will also lead to obesity and blood sugar issues. There are lots of different ingredients in the candy, depending on who makes it.
Avoid any candy that has xylitol in it. Xylitol is toxic for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Black Licorice

Few types of candy are as divisive as black licorice. People either love it or hate it. What about dogs and black licorice – is it safe to share it with them?
No, you should not give your dog any black licorice. Let’s look at why.
Is Black Licorice Bad For Dogs
Black licorice is bad for dogs. Black licorice is flavored with licorice root. This herb is toxic to dogs in large quantities.
A few bites of black licorice might not hurt your dog, but eating too much could upset your dog’s stomach.
If your dog eats an entire bag of black licorice or any other candy flavored with licorice root, contact your vet. Watch for signs of glycyrrhizin toxicity like these:
- Raised blood pressure
- Muscle weakness
- Vomiting
Can Dogs Eat Black Licorice Candy
Dogs should not eat black licorice candy, whether it has licorice root in it or not. The candy will have far too much sugar for your dog to eat.
My Dog Ate Black Licorice
If your dog eats black licorice, talk to your vet. Keep the licorice bag with you so you can show your vet the ingredients.
Watch out for any serious symptoms such as muscle weakness or vomitting.
Unless your dog at an entire bag of licorice, they should recover safely at home.
Can Dogs Eat Red Licorice

Red licorice might not be flavored with licorice root but it does have a high amount of sugar.
You should always keep the red licorice away from your dog, just like you keep all candy and sugary foods away from your dog.
Is Red Licorice Bad For Dogs
A small amount of red licorice is safe for dogs to eat, as long as they don’t eat other foods that are also high in sugar.
You should always keep individually-wrapped candy away from dogs. If they eat the wrappers it could cause bowel obstruction. The symptoms of bowel obstruction include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty passing stool
My Dog Ate Red Licorice
If your dog ate the red licorice, just watch them. They will probably be just fine. Limit their intake of other sugary foods and give them plenty of water and bathroom breaks.
Can Dogs Eat Twizzlers

Dogs should not eat Twizzlers. These are not healthy nor safe for dogs to eat in large quantities.
Are Twizzlers Bad For Dogs
Yes, Twizzlers are actually pretty bad for dogs. They have 19 grams of sugar in just 4 pieces.
Some types of Twizzlers might have Xylitol in it. It’s a sugar alcohol that can cause minor to severe health issues if your dog eats lot of it regularly.
Some symptoms of xylitol poisoning include:
- Live Failure
- Seizures
- Blood Sugar Drops
- Slow Death
My Dog Ate Twizzlers
If your discover that your dot got into a package of Twizzlers, this is what you should do.
First, find the packaging and make sure that you dog didn’t eat any of the wrappers.
Then, make a note of the ingredients in the Twizzlers and how much your dog ate. These are all important bits of information that your dog’s vet will need to know.
Your dog will probably be just fine, but if you notice your dog acting lethargic or unusual, contact your vet.
Is Licorice Bad For Dogs
Yes, licorice is a very unhealthy food for dogs. You should not let your dog eat licorice regularly. For optimal health, dogs should avoid foods that are high in sugar.
Pay attention to the ingredient label too, because xylitol is unsafe for dogs too.
Licorice Root For Dogs

The use of licorice root for dog is dangerous and debated. Talk to your vet before giving licorice root to your dog.
Licorice root does have known benefits for healthy dogs. Here are some of the health benefits of licorice root it’s known to have:
- Soothing upset stomach
- Itching from allergies
- Used to combat liver disease
- Boost the immune system
There are also harmful side effects of licorice root on dogs too. Dogs with medical conditions high blood pressure, heart conditions, or kidney disorders could be exacerbated by the herb.
There are also a few other negative side effects that dogs could experience, such as:
- Increased sodium levels
- Increased blood pressure
- Water retention
You should never give your dog licorice root unless you speak with your veterinarian first.
Final Thoughts
Dogs should not eat any type of licorice in large amounts or regularly. Do whatever you can to keep sugary candy away from your pet.
Too much sugar has a slew of negative health effects for your dog.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are some more articles about other human foods and whether they are safe, good, bad, or toxic for dogs.
- Is Peppermint Bad for Dogs
- Is Basil Safe for Dogs
- Is Salmon Skin Good for Dogs
- Are Cheerios Good for Dogs
- Is Ginger Toxic to Dogs
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Hi Renee …My first mail from Spoiled Hounds . So much great information already. I am very happy to have signed up. My Whippet puppy Archie is a lucky boy as I am learning a lot in the future.
Thanks you
Thank you Ellen and I hope you will continue to enjoy my articles.