Holiday get-togethers are busy, noisy, and full of snacks—exactly the kind of moment when a dog can grab candy off a coffee table or snag something from a guest’s bag. If your dog ate holiday candy (and possibly wrappers or packaging), the most important thing is what you do in the next few minutes: gather the right details, watch for red flags, and decide whether to call right away or monitor closely at home. This time of year—often associated with home-safety reminders—also brings a spike in accidental pet ingestions.
The first 2 minutes: what to check and write down
Before you chase down every possible worst-case scenario, pause and collect the facts. This helps your veterinary team (or a poison hotline) give you the safest next step.
Write down:
- What was eaten: chocolate candy, gum, baked goods, hard candy, candy canes, etc.
- Ingredients if you can find them: especially “xylitol” (sometimes listed as birch sugar) and chocolate type.
- How much: count missing pieces, estimate wrapper size, note whether a bag was shredded.
- When it happened: “just now” vs. “an hour ago” matters.
- Your dog’s size and health notes: small dog vs. large dog, puppy vs. adult, any known sensitivities.
- What your dog is doing right now: normal, pacing, drooling, vomiting, acting “off,” trying to poop, etc.
If you need help sorting out urgency, you can reach our “Urgent & Sick Pet Care” team here: Urgent & Sick Pet Care.
Act fast or monitor? Red flags that mean call now or go in
Some candy situations are “watch closely,” and some are “don’t wait.” It’s not about panic—it’s about risk.
Call right away (or seek urgent help) if any of these apply:
- Sugar-free gum/candy may contain xylitol, which can be dangerous for dogs.
- Any chocolate ingestion when you’re unsure how much or what kind. (Helpful overview: Cornell: Chocolate toxicity—what to do.)
- Wrappers, plastic, or foil were eaten (foreign-body risk).
- Symptoms are present: repeated vomiting, extreme lethargy, tremors, weakness, collapse, a very swollen belly, or obvious pain.
- Your dog is very small, very young, or has underlying health issues.
If you’re trying to assess an ingredient risk quickly, you can also consult Pet Poison Helpline. Either way, having the packaging/ingredient list ready will speed up next-step guidance.
Fillmore Veterinary Hospital’s policy is: “We provide urgent care services for sick and injured pets in Colorado Springs during our regular business hours.” And “While we handle many urgent situations, our team will refer you to an emergency hospital for life-threatening conditions that require 24-hour intensive care.” If it’s outside our hours: “If your pet needs attention outside of our normal business hours, please contact your nearest emergency facility.”
Candy risks: chocolate vs. sugar-free vs. hard candy
Not all candy is created equal. Here are the big categories that change what you do next:
* Chocolate candy: Chocolate risk depends on the type and amount. Even if your dog seems fine initially, it’s worth getting guidance—especially if you can’t confirm how much was eaten. See: Cornell: Chocolate toxicity—what to do.
* Sugar-free candy/gum: The biggest concern is xylitol, a sweetener that can be dangerous for dogs. If there’s any chance the candy was sugar-free, treat it as urgent until proven otherwise. For more context on common foods to avoid, see ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid.
* Hard candy/candy canes: These are often less risky from a “cocoa” standpoint, but can still cause stomach upset—and the bigger danger may be wrappers, sticks, or sharp plastic.
Wrapper and packaging risks: blockage signs and timeline
Candy wrappers, foil, plastic bag corners, and even ribbon can act like a “foreign body” in the GI tract. Sometimes dogs pass small pieces without issue. Other times, material can lodge and cause blockage.
Watch for warning signs over the next hours to days:
- Vomiting (especially repeated or worsening)
- Refusing food or water
- Straining to poop or producing very little stool
- Painful belly, hunched posture, restlessness
- Lethargy that feels “more than just sleepy”
If you suspect packaging was swallowed and your dog’s behavior changes, calling sooner is safer than “waiting it out.”
What your vet may do to assess your dog
If you call or come in, your veterinary team will focus on what was eaten, when, and how your dog is doing now. Depending on the situation, they may recommend an exam and diagnostics to clarify risk—especially when wrappers or unknown ingredients are involved.
At Fillmore Veterinary Hospital, you may hear about tools that help get answers faster, such as:
- “In-House Laboratory” — “Fast results mean faster diagnosis and treatment for your pet”: In-House Laboratory
- “Digital X-Rays” — “Advanced Imaging for Faster Answers”: Digital X-Rays
These can be especially helpful when there’s concern about swallowed packaging or when symptoms suggest something more than mild stomach upset.
What NOT to do at home (common mistakes)
In a stressful moment, it’s easy to reach for quick fixes. A few “popular” ideas can make things worse.
Avoid these common missteps:
- Don’t induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison expert instructs you to. (Timing and what was swallowed matter.)
- Don’t give “detox” foods, oils, or home remedies meant for people.
- Don’t assume “no symptoms yet” means “no risk,” especially with chocolate or sugar-free products.
- Don’t wait on suspected wrapper ingestion if vomiting, pain, or lethargy starts.
For a broader safety overview (holiday plants, household items, and more), review AVMA: Household hazards.
FAQ
How soon do symptoms start?
It depends on the candy type and whether packaging was swallowed. Some issues show up quickly, while others (like blockage concerns) can develop over hours to days.
What if it was a small amount?
Small exposures may still matter based on ingredients (like xylitol) and your dog’s size. If you’re unsure, it’s reasonable to call and ask what details you should monitor.
When do X-rays help?
If wrappers, foil, or plastic are involved—or if symptoms suggest a blockage—imaging may help your veterinarian assess what’s going on. “Digital X-Rays” can support faster decision-making: Digital X-Rays
What info should I have ready when I call?
The product label (or a photo), how much is missing, when it happened, your dog’s weight/size, and any symptoms you’re seeing right now.
If your dog ate holiday candy—or you suspect wrappers or sugar-free ingredients—don’t guess. “Same day appointments available” and “We provide urgent care services for sick and injured pets in Colorado Springs during our regular business hours.” Contact us