Can Dogs Eat Candy Canes or Peppermint? Xylitol and Wrappers

A regular candy cane rarely poisons a dog, but xylitol, chocolate, peppermint oil and swallowed wrappers need fast action. Here is what to check.

Quick answer: Dogs shouldn't eat candy canes, but a lick or piece of a regular one is unlikely to poison a dog, though it can upset the stomach or cause choking. If a sugar-free cane or mint lists xylitol, birch sugar or wood sugar, or you can't read its full label, go to an emergency vet now. Peppermint bark needs a poison line now, and a swallowed wrapper an in-person vet today.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you think your pet is in danger, go to the nearest emergency animal hospital.

Check the label first: xylitol means an emergency vet now

If a candy cane, mint, gum or other candy lists xylitol, birch sugar or wood sugar, or is sugar-free or low-sugar and you can't read its full ingredient list, go to an emergency vet now, even if your dog seems fine, and call a poison line on the way. A list that only says "sugar alcohols," or no list at all, counts as one you can't check, and so do mints or gum from a guest's bag or pocket when you can't see the package. Bring the packaging with you.

The FDA says xylitol can drop a dog's blood sugar within 10 to 60 minutes, though serious effects sometimes don't show for 12 to 24 hours, so a dog that seems fine still goes in now. Signs start with vomiting, then weakness, staggering, collapse or seizures. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that xylitol can injure a dog's liver, with signs such as tiredness, vomiting, yellow gums, or bruising or bleeding that may not appear for 24 to 48 hours or more.

Not every sugar-free candy cane contains xylitol; some use other sugar alcohols such as isomalt. Read the full ingredient list, not just the sugar alcohols line on the nutrition panel, because isomalt and xylitol can appear in the same product. If the full list shows no xylitol, birch sugar or wood sugar, loose stool is the main risk: call a vet if it lasts past 2 days (the same day for a toy breed or senior; a puppy needs an in-person vet today).

Don't try to make your dog throw up at home or give activated charcoal, and never give sugar, honey or syrup in place of going to the ER. The Merck Veterinary Manual says vomiting for xylitol should be induced only under a vet's supervision and that activated charcoal doesn't bind xylitol well; read when making a dog throw up helps and when it harms.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (a per-incident fee applies).

Regular candy canes: sugar, choking and wrappers

A regular candy cane is unlikely to seriously poison a dog, but call a vet today if your dog vomits once, and go to an emergency vet now if it vomits more than once, vomits once and seems lethargic, or chokes on a piece. Pet Poison Helpline warns that hard candy like candy canes is a choking hazard and that peppermint can upset a dog's stomach. Round peppermint hard candies, often called starlight mints, carry the same risks, and sugar-free ones need the same label check.

Gagging with pawing at the mouth, sudden drooling or repeated swallowing, noisy or strained breathing, pale or blue gums, or collapse means an emergency vet now, even if the piece came out. If your dog has diabetes, past pancreatitis, or kidney or heart disease, call a vet the same day, even after a regular candy cane.

What your dog ate and what to do:

What was eaten	Main risk	Do this
Lick or small piece, regular	Upset stomach	Watch 4 days
Whole box, regular	Upset, wrappers	Call vet today
Lists xylitol, birch or wood sugar	Low sugar, liver	ER now
Sugar-free, label unreadable	Maybe xylitol	ER now
Sugar-free, checked: no xylitol	Loose stool	Call if 2+ days
Peppermint bark, chocolate mints	Chocolate	Poison line or ER now
Pure peppermint oil	Mouth, gut, skin	Poison line now
Plastic wrapper	Blockage	In-person vet today
Ornament hook	Sharp metal	ER now
Gift ribbon	Gut damage	ER now

If more than one row fits, follow the most urgent. If a wrapper is missing, add the wrapper row.

Is peppermint toxic to dogs?

A little peppermint flavor in candy is unlikely to poison a dog, but a dog that licked concentrated peppermint oil needs a poison line now. The ASPCA lists mint plants as toxic to dogs and cats, causing vomiting and diarrhea when large amounts are eaten. VCA Animal Hospitals lists peppermint among the essential oils that are poisonous to dogs, swallowed or on the skin. The Merck Veterinary Manual says concentrated essential oils should never be put directly on a pet and advises keeping pets out of a room while a diffuser runs.

If your dog licked peppermint oil or got it on its coat, call a poison line now, and don't make your dog vomit: the Merck Veterinary Manual says vomiting should not be induced after essential oils, because the oil can be inhaled into the lungs. If the oil is on the coat and your dog is alert and acting normally, wash the coat with liquid dish soap while you call. Heavy drooling, wobbling, tremors or trouble breathing means skip the bath and go to an emergency vet now. Pennyroyal is a different mint, and Pet Poison Helpline says its oil can cause liver failure in dogs whether swallowed or put on the skin; owners sometimes use it as a natural flea remedy, so keep every form of pennyroyal away from dogs.

Peppermint bark, chocolate mints and other holiday treats

Peppermint bark and chocolate mints carry the chocolate risk, which depends on the type and amount of chocolate and your dog's size, so call an emergency vet or a pet poison line now, before signs appear. White chocolate has almost no theobromine, but its fat and sugar can still upset the stomach or trigger pancreatitis, so call anyway; a sugar-free version that lists xylitol, or whose full label you can't read, means an emergency vet now.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (a per-incident fee applies).

Pet Poison Helpline says the sugar and fat in candy can lead to pancreatitis, with signs that may not show for up to 4 days. Peppermint schnapps and spiked hot chocolate or eggnog contain alcohol: call a pet poison line or go to an emergency vet now. A peppermint mocha adds caffeine, which the ASPCA lists among people foods to keep from pets: call a poison line.

Wrappers, ribbon and ornament hooks

A dog that swallowed a candy cane wrapper needs an in-person vet today, even if it seems fine, and vomiting, refusing food, belly pain or straining makes it an emergency vet now. Pet Poison Helpline says foil and cellophane candy wrappers can cause a bowel blockage that may need surgery. A wrapper from sugar-free candy, mints or gum that may contain xylitol means an emergency vet now, calling a poison line on the way; a chocolate wrapper means a call to an emergency vet or a pet poison line now. Don't make your dog vomit at home, and don't feed bread, pumpkin, oil, fiber or laxatives to push a wrapper through.

Swallowed gift ribbon, tinsel or string means an emergency vet now, even if your dog seems fine; never pull a strand from the mouth or bottom (see what to do when a dog eats string, tinsel or ribbon). A swallowed ornament hook or piece of glass also means an emergency vet now, with no home vomiting, and a missing piece counts as swallowed.

Signs to watch over the next few days

A dog that ate a little regular candy cane usually has only a short stomach upset, but watch for 4 days after any candy, because pancreatitis after fatty treats can take up to 4 days to show.

Sign	Could mean	Do this
One vomit, still bright	Sugar upset	Call vet today
Diarrhea, adult still bright	Sugar upset	Call if 2+ days
Diarrhea after bark or cookies	Fat, pancreas	Call vet today
Diarrhea in a puppy, or with a vomit	Upset, other	In-person today
Refuses food	Pancreas, blockage	In-person today; wrapper missing: ER now
Vomits again, belly pain	Blockage, pancreas	ER now
Straining after a wrapper	Blockage	ER now
Vomits after sugar-free candy	Xylitol	ER now
Weak, wobbly, seizure	Low sugar	ER now
Yellow gums, bruises	Liver injury	ER now
Gagging, pawing at mouth	Stuck candy	ER now
Drooling, tremors after oil	Oil poisoning	ER now

One vomit with lethargy, not keeping water down, or a swollen or painful belly also means an emergency vet now. Toy breeds and seniors with diarrhea: call a vet today. Each new fatty treat starts a new 4 days, and xylitol liver signs can appear 24 to 48 hours or more later.

Cats, candy canes and peppermint oil

Cats are more sensitive to essential oils than dogs, the Merck Veterinary Manual says, so a cat that licked peppermint oil or got it on its fur needs an emergency vet now, even if it seems fine, with a poison-line call on the way. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are not at risk for xylitol's low blood sugar or liver injury, so for a cat the bigger candy-cane risks are a swallowed wrapper or ribbon and peppermint oil. Swallowed ribbon or string in a cat means an emergency vet now; never pull it. A cat that swallowed a wrapper needs an in-person vet today, and vomiting, refusing food or straining makes it an emergency vet now. Read about essential oils that are toxic to cats, from diffusers to potpourri.

Keeping holiday candy away from dogs

To keep a dog out of holiday candy, hang candy canes high on the tree or skip them, keep candy dishes, stockings and wrapped edible gifts off the floor, and ask guests to keep candy, gum and medicine out of bags left within reach. The ASPCA advises keeping wrapped food and candy off the floor, because pets can smell candy inside a wrapped gift. See Christmas tree risks for dogs.

When a video visit helps and when it does not

A video visit is not the first step after a dog eats xylitol candy, chocolate peppermint treats, peppermint oil or a wrapper, but it can help a bright dog that ate a little regular candy cane. RexVet, a nonprofit online vet service, serves pets located in Florida, New York and Virginia by video visit, and your dog must be in one of those states during the visit.

Video fits when your dog ate a regular candy cane, or a sugar-free one whose full ingredient list shows no xylitol, birch sugar or wood sugar; swallowed no wrapper, ribbon or hook; and is bright, eating and keeping water down. Video also fits when a poison line or a vet has advised watching at home. Book a $64.99 live video visit with a licensed RexVet vet, a veterinarian licensed in your dog's state. Live slots run about 8 AM to 11 PM ET, with no overnight visits; holiday hours aren't confirmed, so check open slots when you book. A same-day slot is not guaranteed. 28% of RexVet video visits started between 6 PM and 11 PM in the pet owner's local time.

The veterinarian reviews the label and amount with you, tells you what to watch for over the next 4 days and when your dog needs to be seen in person, and helps you plan a candy-safe tree and stocking setup. Video can't take X-rays, check blood sugar or make a dog vomit, so these cases are not a fit:

• Emergency vet now, calling a poison line on the way: xylitol or an unreadable sugar-free label; weakness, wobbling, collapse or a seizure; repeated vomiting or belly pain; choking; a swallowed hook or ribbon.
• Poison line or emergency vet now: chocolate, peppermint bark or concentrated peppermint oil.
• In-person vet today: a swallowed wrapper, which needs an exam before any anti-nausea medicine, because video can't rule out a blockage.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (a per-incident fee applies). If your dog gets worse before a slot opens, go to an emergency vet.

No prescription is promised; any medicine is the veterinarian's decision after the visit. If medicine comes up, the state prescription limits in the last FAQ below apply. RexVet is not a pharmacy, and a pharmacy transfer fee applies if RexVet sends a prescription to an outside pharmacy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat candy canes?

No: don't give a dog candy canes, even though a lick of a regular one is unlikely to seriously poison it. Pet Poison Helpline warns that hard candy is a choking hazard and that peppermint can upset a dog's stomach. Sugar-free canes can contain xylitol. If the label lists xylitol, birch sugar or wood sugar, or you can't read the full ingredient list, go to an emergency vet now and call a poison line on the way. A swallowed wrapper means an in-person vet today.

What should I do if my dog ate a whole candy cane?

Check the label: a regular candy cane usually causes only a stomach upset, but xylitol or an unreadable sugar-free label means an emergency vet now. A missing wrapper means an in-person vet today, even if your dog seems fine, and choking or gagging with pawing at the mouth means an emergency vet now. Don't make your dog vomit at home. Otherwise, watch for 4 days: one vomit in a bright, eating dog means a call to a vet today, and vomiting more than once, or once with lethargy, belly pain or weakness means an emergency vet now.

Is peppermint oil safe for dogs?

No: VCA Animal Hospitals lists peppermint oil among the essential oils that are poisonous to dogs, swallowed or on the skin. Ask a vet before using any essential oil on or around a dog. If your dog licked it or got it on its coat, call a poison line now; drooling, wobbling, tremors or trouble breathing means an emergency vet now.

Can dogs eat peppermint ice cream?

No: dairy can cause diarrhea in dogs, and sugar-free ice cream can contain xylitol. The ASPCA says pets lack enough lactase to digest milk well, and the FDA lists sugar-free desserts, including "skinny" ice cream, among products that may contain xylitol; a label that lists it, or a sugar-free label you can't fully read, means an emergency vet now. Mint chocolate chip adds chocolate, so call an emergency vet or a pet poison line now. After a lot of rich ice cream, watch for 4 days for vomiting, belly pain or refusing food.

Can I give my dog peppermint for bad breath?

No: mints won't fix a dog's bad breath, and human mints can contain xylitol. Most bad breath in dogs comes from dental disease, so book a dental exam within a few weeks, and skip human toothpaste, mouthwash, gum and essential oils. Learn what different bad breath smells can mean in a dog.

Are candy canes toxic to cats?

Not from xylitol, the Merck Veterinary Manual says, but a swallowed wrapper or ribbon, or peppermint oil, can be an emergency for a cat. A cat that swallowed ribbon or string needs an emergency vet now; never pull it. A cat that licked peppermint oil or got it on its fur also needs an emergency vet now, even if it seems fine.

Can an online vet help if my dog ate a candy cane in Florida, New York or Virginia?

Yes, for a bright dog in Florida, New York or Virginia that ate a regular or label-checked candy cane and swallowed no wrapper. Label-checked means a sugar-free cane whose full ingredient list shows no xylitol, birch sugar or wood sugar. On camera, a licensed RexVet vet can read the label with you, look at your dog's energy, breathing and belly shape, and at gum color in good light, set up a 4-day watch and tell you when your dog needs to be seen in person. Xylitol, an unreadable label, choking, a swallowed hook or ribbon, repeated vomiting or belly pain, or weakness or a seizure means an emergency vet now; chocolate or peppermint oil means a call to a poison line now, and a swallowed wrapper means an in-person vet today. No prescription is promised. If medicine comes up, Florida s.474.2021 limits a prescription based only on a video visit to FDA-approved animal drugs used as labeled, for up to 14 days (1 month for products labeled solely for flea and tick control), with no renewal without an in-person exam; human-labeled drugs, controlled drugs and compounded anti-infectives need an in-person exam first. Virginia allows the exam to be electronic, but in every state federal rules require an in-person exam before a vet uses a human-labeled drug or an animal drug off-label. New York's telehealth prescribing rules are not settled.