Can Small Pets Eat Gummy Bears (Sugar-Sweetened)?
Gummy bears threaten small pets with xylitol poisoning, gastrointestinal stasis, and choking. In rabbits and guinea pigs, the sugar ferments rapidly, causing painful bloat and enterotoxemia. Hamsters may pouch the sticky candy, leading to cheek pouch impaction and infection. The combination of empty calories and potential artificial sweeteners makes gummy bears wholly unsuitable for any small mammal. Even one bear can be lethal if xylitol is present.