🖤Can Dogs Eat Licorice? US Safety Guide, Risks & Vet Tips
6 min read · Updated September 2026
True black licorice, made with real licorice root extract, contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which in large or repeated amounts can cause elevated blood pressure and abnormally low potassium levels in dogs, a condition that can affect heart function. Most American licorice-style candy (like Twizzlers or Red Vines) uses artificial flavoring rather than real licorice root, making them lower risk for this specific concern, but still not a healthy treat due to sugar content.
Real Licorice Versus American Candy
Genuine licorice, the kind made with licorice root extract, is more common in imported and specialty confectionery than on a standard US supermarket shelf. Most American licorice-style candy is artificially flavored, which means the two products share a name while presenting completely different risks.
Nutrition Facts
Licorice has no established nutritional benefit for dogs. The table below reflects composition and risk rather than benefit.
| Nutrient | Amount | Benefit for Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Glycyrrhizin (real licorice root extract) | Present in true licorice | Can raise blood pressure, lower potassium in large amounts |
| Sugar | High | No benefit; risk of GI upset |
| Artificial licorice flavoring (most US candy) | Minimal glycyrrhizin | Lower risk, but still no nutritional benefit |
Risks of Licorice for Dogs, and When to Worry
| Risk | Level | Most at risk |
|---|---|---|
| Glycyrrhizin toxicity (real licorice root) | MEDIUM-HIGH | Dogs with heart, kidney, or blood pressure conditions |
| Sugar-related GI upset | MEDIUM | All dogs, especially in large amounts |
| Choking on chewy texture | MEDIUM | Small dogs, puppies |
The glycyrrhizin risk from real licorice is dose-dependent and generally requires a fairly large or repeated amount to cause serious problems, but dogs with existing heart conditions, high blood pressure, or kidney issues should avoid it altogether. Imported and specialty licorice candies are more likely to contain real licorice root extract than mass-market American brands.
- • Vomiting or diarrhea within hours of eating Licorice
- • Lethargy, collapse, or seizures
- • Swollen face, hives, or difficulty breathing
- • Pale or yellowish gums
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661
- Find an emergency vet near you 24/7
How Much Licorice Can My Dog Eat? US Portion Guide
| Dog Size | Weight | Safe Serving | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy/Small | 2-10 lbs | A small taste, occasionally | Once a week at most |
| Medium | 10-40 lbs | A tablespoon or small piece | Once or twice a week |
| Large | 40-70 lbs | A few tablespoons | Once or twice a week |
| Giant | 70+ lbs | A modest handful | Once or twice a week |
There's no established safe daily amount of real licorice for dogs; it's best avoided altogether, especially for dogs with heart or kidney conditions. If your dog eats a large amount of real black licorice, contact your vet, especially if you notice weakness or unusual lethargy.
Can Popular US Dog Breeds Eat Licorice?
Glycyrrhizin affects blood pressure and potassium, so dogs with existing cardiac or renal conditions carry the most risk.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The breed most associated with mitral valve disease in US practice, which makes anything affecting blood pressure worth avoiding entirely.
Boxer
Boxers have a well-documented predisposition to cardiomyopathy, putting them in the group where glycyrrhizin effects matter most.
Shih Tzu
Prone to kidney issues in later life, and potassium disturbance is exactly the wrong additional stressor.
When Real Licorice Turns Up
When licorice turns up in a US household tends to follow the calendar, and the risk changes with it.
Holiday gift boxes
Imported confectionery arrives in December, and that is when genuine licorice most often enters US homes.
Halloween
Mostly the artificial American kind, which is a far lesser concern.
Year-round health aisles
Licorice root supplements sit in the herbal section and are considerably more concentrated than any candy.
Licorice Products Ranked by Concern
Licorice does not show up in only one form, and the version in front of your dog changes the answer.
- Licorice root supplements: The most concentrated glycyrrhizin source; only with veterinary direction.
- Imported black licorice: Frequently contains genuine extract; the candy version worth taking seriously.
- American black licorice candy: Often artificially flavored; check the ingredient list rather than assuming.
- Red licorice, Twizzlers and Red Vines: No licorice root at all; a sugar and shape concern only.
People Also Ask
American dog owners also ask about these foods:
More US Food Safety Guides
Explore the full US safety guide →, every food reviewed
Frequently Asked Questions About Licorice for Dogs
Safer Alternatives to Licorice for Dogs
- Plain dog chews, Satisfies the chewing urge without any active compound
- Dried apple rings, Naturally sweet with no cardiovascular effects
- Dog-formulated soft treats, Predictable ingredients, made for the purpose
See our complete US food safety guide →
3 Common Myths About Licorice and Dogs, Debunked
These ideas come up constantly in American dog-owner forums and comment sections, and a couple of them are genuinely risky to believe.
❌ Myth: "All licorice candy carries the same risk"
✅ Reality: The distinction between real extract and artificial flavoring is everything. A bag of American red candy and an imported black licorice bar are not comparable products despite the shared shelf label.
❌ Myth: "Herbal means gentle, so licorice root supplements are a safe natural option"
✅ Reality: Glycyrrhizin is pharmacologically active, which is precisely why it is used. Active compounds have doses and side effects whether they arrive from a plant or a laboratory.
❌ Myth: "A dog would have to eat enormous amounts before anything happened"
✅ Reality: For a healthy large dog, roughly true. For a small dog with an existing heart or kidney condition, the margin is considerably narrower, which is why the caution is aimed at those dogs specifically.
Editorial Note
"This is one of the few entries where the honest answer depends on reading a label rather than knowing a rule. If the ingredients list licorice extract, take it seriously; if it lists artificial flavoring, you are dealing with sugar and shape."
, dogeats.in Editorial Team · Editorially Rigorous
Sources & References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Black licorice safety information
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Foods to avoid feeding dogs
- PetMD Veterinary Review, Can dogs eat candy
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Toxicology reference for companion animals