Can Dogs Eat AirHeads? (Detailed Explanation)

AirHeads are a favorite, chewy candy often received at birthday parties, celebrations, and holidays such as Halloween. They are one of the hottest selling candies available, but can we share this type of candy with our pups? Can dogs eat AirHeads?

Due to the sugar content, artificial ingredients, and excessively sticky taffy quality of AirHeads, they should never be given to a dog for any reason. Additionally, other AirHeads products (such as Airheads gum) contain xylitol, which is extremely dangerous for canines to consume.

Dogs should never be fed any candy-type product regularly, and you should generally try to avoid giving your dogs any treat that is intended for human consumption. One of the snacks you should avoid letting your dog have the most is Airheads.

What exactly are Airheads?

Airheads are chewy taffy candy that are available in a range of different fruit flavors. The first appeared in 1985 and have been a huge hit ever since, remaining a favorite for multiple decades.

AirHeads are available in a variety of flavors as well as some additional variations, such as AirHeads Xtremes (a sweet and sour option). Recently, the manufacturers of AirHeads have also produced an AirHeads gum for those who want to chew on that delicious fruity flavor a bit longer than just the usual taffy pieces.

What causes sugar and xylitol to be harmful to dogs?

AirHeads candy contains a lot of sugar, and their gum variation also contains xylitol. Any treat containing xylitol and sugar is not desirable for your canine companion, and here’s why.

Sugar

Consuming an excessive amount of sugar from AirHeads (or any other human candy) can result in undesirable health consequences in dogs, among which are the following:

• Dental issues
• Increased weight gain
• Diabetes
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Digestive issues

Xylitol

When it comes to xylitol, this ingredient is the most common cause of poisoning in dogs that have consumed non-canine-friendly food products. Toxicity from xylitol can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including:

• Low energy levels
• Vomiting
• Reduced levels of glucose in the blood
• Liver failure
• Weakness
• Difficulty walking
• Seizures

If you believe that your dog has consumed xylitol (whether in AirHeads gum or another similar product), take him or her to your local veterinarian’s office as soon as possible.

Fact: Low blood sugar levels in your pets can be fatal if not addressed with immediate medical attention.

Can puppies consume AirHeads?

The answer is no. Puppies should never eat AirHeads under any circumstances. They will be far more sensitive to the adverse effects of consuming the ingredients found in AirHeads,and the candy is also extremely chewy and hard for them to digest. This can easily result in your puppy struggling with a serious choking hazard as well as vomiting or diarrhea.

What happens when a dog consumes a large amount of AirHeads candy?

It’s crucial to be aware of the signs and symptoms of your pet consuming a large quantity of AirHeads since this can easily be detrimental to their health. If your dog has consumed an AirHeads products containing xylitol, keep an eye out for the following signs of xylitol poisoning:

• Dyspnea or rapid breathing
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• High body temperature (over 101°F)
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Weakness
• Difficulties with walking
• Collapse

If you see any of these indicators in your pet after he or she has consumed AirHeads, call your veterinarian right once. Additionally, lethargy or other signs of digestive stress may be indicative of them eating far too much non-xylitol-including AirHeads, so you’ll need to watch your pup carefully to determine whether they may just be uncomfortable until their body is done processing the non-canine-friendly treat or if you’ll need to seek medical attention.

This is especially important for those with young, small, or elderly dogs. Many large adult dogs should have some digestive distress after consuming sugar and unnatural chemicals but otherwise be fine. Those in the former categories have higher risks of severe reactions and consequences of consumption.

Precautions

Excessive consumption of sweet, sugary candy can result in life-threatening consequences due to the extreme changes in a dog’s blood glucose levels. This is a concern that will need to be monitored closely. If your dog appears to have consumed a significant amount of AirHeads or another candy, try to determine how much has been consumed and weigh those risks with your dog’s size, weight, age, and current health status.

Seek veterinary assistance immediately if your dog is at risk of dealing with such intense fluctuations as they can easily be fatal.

What human foods are healthy for dogs? 

The following categories of food are good for dogs, so here are some much healthier and safer options of treats and meals you can share with your pet without any worry about health risks.

Proteins

All meat should be thoroughly cooked, and all bones must be removed to eliminate the possibility of choking. It’s also crucial to remember that certain dogs are allergic to certain protein sources, so keep this in mind when testing out new foods with your pup. These are some of the best protein-based foods for dogs instead of allowing them to eat candy:

• Pork
• Chicken
• Fish (particularly salmon and sardines)
• Eggs (only cooked)
• Turkey
• Lean beef
• Cheeses (although some dogs are lactose intolerant)
• Yogurt

Fruits & Veggies

Fruits contain a lot of sugar and should be given to your dog in moderation. Veggies are nearly always a great option, although you’ll need to be sure you only feed your dog canine-friendly varieties. If you want to share some fruit or veggies with your pup, here are your best options:

• Green peas
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Pumpkin
• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Blueberries
• Apples
• Seedless watermelon
• Green beans
• Tomatoes (in moderation)

Grains

Most dogs require some fiber in their diets, so these are some grain options that are safe to feed your dog:

• Rice
• Quinoa
• Oatmeal
• Corn

Additional Treat Options

These additional foods are also perfectly fine to give to your dog as a treat in moderation:

• Honey
• Coconut
• Popcorn

What kinds of human foods are harmful to dogs?

The foods listed below are not only bad for our dogs’ health, but many of them may also be hazardous to them:

• Macadamia nuts
• Grapes and raisins
• Foods that are high in sodium
• Garlic
• Cinnamon
• Chocolate
• Avocados
• Lemons and limes
• Coffee and tea
• Any other products containing caffeine
• Onions
• Foods and chewing gum containing xylitol
• Yeast dough

FAQs

Are AirHeads toxic to dogs?

If the AirHeads in question do not contain xylitol, then they are not inherently toxic to dogs. However, if they do contain xylitol, they are extremely toxic for our furry buddies and should be avoided at all costs. Even a trace amount of this toxin can result in major health complications.

If your dog accidentally ingests a normal AirHeads bar, they should be monitored for adverse reactions, but it should generally not be fatal.

Is it okay to offer AirHeads gum to your pets?

No. You should never give AirHeads gum to your dogs due to the presence of xylitol.

Is it okay for dogs to eat gummy fruit snacks?

Dogs should not be allowed to consume gummy fruit snacks. Rather than being healthy snacks, fruit snacks are typically just gummy sweets that are often heavy in sugar and provide little nutritional value.

See Also:
Can Dogs Eat Fruit Roll-Ups? Detailed Explanation
Can Dogs Eat Nopales? Read This Frist!
Can Dogs Eat French Toast?
Can Dogs Eat Cheeseburgers? (3 Risks)