No – cotton candy, candy floss or fairy floss – is not a healthy food for your dog as it is mainly sugar. It can also contain colorings and flavorings which are not dog friendly.
What is cotton candy?
Cotton candy, as it is known in the United States, is a sugary treat for humans made from heating, and then spinning sugar. Often, coloring is added during the spinning process to give it that iconic blue or pink appearance. I’m sure you have memories of seeing those bags (or sticks) of blue, pink and white cotton candy at your local fair or carnival!
Some fun facts about cotton candy:
- Some say it has its origins in Europe several centuries ago!
- It was debuted in the U.S. at the 1904 World’s Fair by a dentist named William Morris
- Cotton candy is also known as ‘candy floss’ in the UK and ‘fairy floss’ in Australia
- The machine that makes cotton candy can spin at several thousand revolutions per minute!
Is cotton candy bad for dogs?
Cotton candy is bad for dogs – both in the short term and long term. Keep reading below to see the list of short and long term effects of feeding your dog cotton candy.
Can dogs have cotton candy?
White cotton candy is generally made from sugar, or a mixture of sugar and high fructose corn syrup. While dogs can use sugar as an energy source, eating certain sugars (like those found in cotton candy) can cause, for your dog:
- A sudden spike in sugar levels
- Stomach upsets
- Excessive urination
- Excessive thirst
Additionally, some long term effects of eating sugary foods and drinks can be:
- Diabetes
- Gaining weight
- Heart disease
- Tooth decay
Furthermore, other types of cotton candy can contain colorings and flavorings which are not dog friendly. Blue and pink cotton candy, for example, will contain food colorings – and depending on the type can be bad for your dog. Some cotton candy makers will also add artificial flavorings as well which you should avoid. And finally, xylitol, a sugar substitute, may also be used which is toxic for canines!
Conclusion
Cotton candy is a treat many of us remember enjoying as kids – and many still enjoy today – however we should keep it away from our canine friends. Because it is mainly sugar, with possible additives that can be bad for your dog, we recommend you pick something else as a treat. Cotton candy is fun to eat sometimes, but only for humans!
