Last reviewed: August 2026

Can Dogs Eat Liquorice?

ModerateSmall Amounts Only

A small amount of liquorice occasionally is generally tolerated, but true (black) liquorice contains glycyrrhizin, a compound that in larger amounts can affect blood pressure and electrolyte balance.

Why

Glycyrrhizin, found in real liquorice root extract, can cause sodium retention and potassium loss in larger, regular quantities — a genuine concern documented in humans and applicable to dogs, though a single small piece of liquorice sweet is unlikely to reach a meaningful dose.

How to serve it safely

Keep liquorice consumption occasional and small if offered at all
Avoid regular feeding, particularly for dogs with existing heart or blood pressure conditions
Many liquorice-flavoured sweets today use artificial flavouring rather than real liquorice extract — check ingredients if concerned

Sources

General veterinary toxicology consensus, cross-referenced against the Merck Veterinary Manual and ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center food hazard references. See How We Source This for our methodology.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for veterinary advice.