Can Dogs Eat Sprinkles? 4 Harmful Ingredients in Sprinkles

Dogs can eat sprinkles, but as with many human foods, they should only eat them in moderation. Sprinkles, or jimmies, are small pieces of rod-shaped confectionery treats used to decorate desserts and sweets, such as cakes, cupcakes, or ice cream. They contain sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, wax, and other artificial ingredients. Some of these ingredients may cause health problems for your dog when eaten in excess, and you should never feed your dog chocolate sprinkles.

Sprinkles are safe for dogs if you are sure they are free of toxic ingredients. Some ingredients in sprinkles are harmful to dogs, including:

1. 1. Artificial ingredients: Sprinkles get their bright look from an abundance of artificial coloring and flavors. This is especially true of the multi-color array found in rainbow sprinkles. Many forms of food coloring or artificial flavors pose no serious health risk in small quantities, but any food item with artificial ingredients is unhealthy if ingested in large amounts.
2. 2. Chocolate: Never give chocolate sprinkles or any treat that contains chocolate to dogs. The caffeine and theobromine in chocolate cause gastrointestinal upset, an elevated heart rate, and excessive panting. Avoid both dark and milk chocolate varieties.
3. 3. Sugar: Sprinkles contain a lot of sugar. Regular sugar consumption can lead to diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and an upset stomach. Only offer your dog sprinkles on rare occasions.
4. 4. Xylitol: Avoid sugar-free sprinkles that contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is toxic for dogs.

Dogs can eat edible glitter, which you can find near sprinkles in baking aisles. However, many of the same ingredients in sprinkles are also in edible glitter, including excessive sugar content and food dyes, so only offer your pet this treat in moderation.

There are several healthy alternatives to sprinkles for dogs, including:

1. 1. Carob: Though chocolate is toxic for dogs, carob—a chocolate substitute made from the seed pods of the carob tree—is dog-friendly and loaded with nutrients like vitamin A, niacin, iron, and fiber. Sprinkle mini carob chips or flakes on your furry friend’s next dog cake as a sweet and healthy treat.
2. 2. Carrots and sweet potatoes: Vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes add color and sweetness to dog treats. Carrots are low in calories and high in fiber and beta-carotene, while sweet potatoes are also fiber-rich and full of calcium, potassium, and iron. However, keep portions small—sweet potatoes are also high in starch, which turns to sugar in your dog’s body.
3. 3. Coconut flakes: Coconut oil and flakes are safe for dogs in moderation. Dried coconut meat in flake form is a sweet and rich-flavored topping for pupcakes, but be sure to use unsweetened varieties. Many store-bought brands have a high sugar content.
4. 4. Sesame seeds: You can toast sesame seeds and sprinkle them on your pet’s dog food or treats. When given in small quantities, sesame seeds add fiber, phosphorus, calcium, and selenium to a dog’s diet.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.

Dogs can eat sprinkles, but as with many human foods, they should only eat them in moderation. Sprinkles, or jimmies, are small pieces of rod-shaped confectionery treats used to decorate desserts and sweets, such as cakes, cupcakes, or ice cream. They contain sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, wax, and other artificial ingredients. Some of these ingredients may cause health problems for your dog when eaten in excess, and you should never feed your dog chocolate sprinkles.

Sprinkles are safe for dogs if you are sure they are free of toxic ingredients. Some ingredients in sprinkles are harmful to dogs, including:

1. 1. Artificial ingredients: Sprinkles get their bright look from an abundance of artificial coloring and flavors. This is especially true of the multi-color array found in rainbow sprinkles. Many forms of food coloring or artificial flavors pose no serious health risk in small quantities, but any food item with artificial ingredients is unhealthy if ingested in large amounts.
2. 2. Chocolate: Never give chocolate sprinkles or any treat that contains chocolate to dogs. The caffeine and theobromine in chocolate cause gastrointestinal upset, an elevated heart rate, and excessive panting. Avoid both dark and milk chocolate varieties.
3. 3. Sugar: Sprinkles contain a lot of sugar. Regular sugar consumption can lead to diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and an upset stomach. Only offer your dog sprinkles on rare occasions.
4. 4. Xylitol: Avoid sugar-free sprinkles that contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is toxic for dogs.

Dogs can eat edible glitter, which you can find near sprinkles in baking aisles. However, many of the same ingredients in sprinkles are also in edible glitter, including excessive sugar content and food dyes, so only offer your pet this treat in moderation.

There are several healthy alternatives to sprinkles for dogs, including:

1. 1. Carob: Though chocolate is toxic for dogs, carob—a chocolate substitute made from the seed pods of the carob tree—is dog-friendly and loaded with nutrients like vitamin A, niacin, iron, and fiber. Sprinkle mini carob chips or flakes on your furry friend’s next dog cake as a sweet and healthy treat.
2. 2. Carrots and sweet potatoes: Vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes add color and sweetness to dog treats. Carrots are low in calories and high in fiber and beta-carotene, while sweet potatoes are also fiber-rich and full of calcium, potassium, and iron. However, keep portions small—sweet potatoes are also high in starch, which turns to sugar in your dog’s body.
3. 3. Coconut flakes: Coconut oil and flakes are safe for dogs in moderation. Dried coconut meat in flake form is a sweet and rich-flavored topping for pupcakes, but be sure to use unsweetened varieties. Many store-bought brands have a high sugar content.
4. 4. Sesame seeds: You can toast sesame seeds and sprinkle them on your pet’s dog food or treats. When given in small quantities, sesame seeds add fiber, phosphorus, calcium, and selenium to a dog’s diet.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.