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Xylitol - Information for Dog Owners
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Xylitol Is Poisonous To Dogs
What is xylitol? Treatment consists of preventing further xylitol
absorption from the gut, if the dog ate a suspect
Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most product very recently, and managing the resultant low
plant materials. It is used as a sugar substitute in “sugar- blood sugar and associated complications. Most dogs
free” chewing gums, mints, and other foods because will be hospitalized to receive intra-venous fluids,
it has fewer calories and a lower glycemic index than dextrose, and liver protectants and to monitor their
common table sugar (sucrose). It is also used as a blood sugar levels and liver function.
medicine, a source of energy in tube feeding formulas
for people, and in products that treat dry mouth and What can I do to keep my dog safe from xylitol
tooth decay. poisoning?
What are some common sources of xylitol? • Keep all products that contain xylitol out of reach
from your dogs. This includes purses, bags, or
• Chewing gum clothing pockets containing gum or mints (yours
• Mints or those of any guests) and anything on a table or
countertop.
• Candies
• Only use veterinary toothpaste to brush your
• Peanut butter dog’s teeth (never human toothpaste).

• Ice cream • Check the ingredient list for all nut butters or
• Chewable vitamins ‘human foods’ that you may share with your dog.
Summary:
• Cough syrup
• Mouthwash • Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in many “sugar-
free” or “skinny” human foods and products such
• Toothpaste as gum and peanut butter.

• Anything labeled • Xylitol triggers a potent release of insulin in
“sugar-free” or “skinny” dogs which results in a dramatic drop in blood
sugar. This low blood sugar level and its resulting
Why is xylitol toxic for dogs? complications can be life-threatening.
The hormone insulin moves sugar (glucose) molecules • Always keep xylitol-containing products out of
from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. In dogs, reach from dogs.
xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and
stimulates a potent release of insulin from the pancreas. • Check the ingredient list of all ‘human foods’ for
This rapid release of insulin causes a dramatic drop xylitol before you share them with your dog.
in blood sugar levels as glucose is moved from the
bloodstream into cells. • If you suspect your dog has eaten a product
containing xylitol or is showing symptoms
What are the symptoms of xylitol poisoning in consistent with xylitol poisoning, contact your
dogs? local veterinary emergency clinic and seek
treatment immediately.
•Vomiting
References and Resources:
•Weakness
FDA Consumer Update – Paws Off Xylitol: It’s
•Incoordination
Dangerous for Dogs at https://www.fda.gov/consumers/
• Collapse consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs
• Seizures
What is the treatment for xylitol poisoning in Editor’s Note: Xylitol may also go by other names such as
dogs? wood sugar, birch sugar, and birch bark extract or may be
included as part of “sugar alcohols”.
If you suspect your dog has eaten a product
containing xylitol, contact your primary care
veterinarian or local veterinary emergency clinic
immediately.
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