How to Protect Your Dog from Xylitol Toxicity

Dec 17, 2019 | Dogs | 0 comments

It always amazes me how some dogs will eat just about anything.   Rocks, poop, shoes, underwear, trash, children’s toys, just to name a few.  

Many dogs eat whatever they stumble upon, and some have turned counter surfing into an Olympic sport. Beyond just being annoying, this behavior can have serious health consequences for your pet, including death.

Unfortunately, some seemingly innocuous items that are perfectly safe for humans are toxic to dogs. The substance, xylitol, has become increasingly popular as a sugar substitute found in many household items.  

Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs.

In what products can I find xylitol?

There are a number of products that contain xylitol.  Some of these items include:

  • Cough syrup
  • Sugar-free gum
  • Candy
  • Breath mints
  • Baked goods
  • Chewable or gummy vitamins
  • Mouthwash
  • Toothpaste
  • Pudding snacks
  • Diabetic snacks and foods
  • Nasal sprays
  • Baby wipes
  • Deodorant
  • Face gels
  • Hair products

What happens when dogs eat xylitol? 

When dogs consume something that contains xylitol, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas.  This causes a rapid decrease in blood sugar, a condition known as hypoglycemia, and in severe cases liver failure. When this goes untreated it can be fatal.

How much xylitol does it take to make my dog sick?

Dosages of xylitol over 34 to 45mg/pound have been associated with hypoglycemia.  Some dogs ingesting xylitol at dosages over 227mg/pound can develop liver failure.  The higher the dose, the higher the risk of liver failure. It is important to identify if a toxic amount of xylitol has been ingested.  

For example, different brands of gum contain different amounts of xylitol.  The typical range of xylitol is 300mg to 1500mg/piece of gum; therefore, a 20-pound dog can experience toxicity after ingesting one piece of gum containing 1000mg.

What are the symptoms of xylitol poisoning?

Signs of xylitol toxicity can occur as soon as 15 minutes after consumption.  Some signs to look for include:

  • Weakness
  • Depression or lethargy
  • Lack of coordination or difficulty walking or standing
  • Vomiting
  • Trembling or tremoring
  • Seizures

What do I do if I think my dog is suffering from xylitol poisoning?

Call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately.  Do not induce vomiting unless specifically directed to do so by your veterinarian.  If your dog is already hypoglycemic, inducing vomiting can make it worse.

Now that you know what to look for, read those labels and be sure to keep products containing xylitol away from your dog.  If you have a lot of sugar-free foods in your home, be careful not to share these foods with your dog.

If you have cats in your home, you are probably wondering if they too can suffer from xylitol poisoning. While there are no reported cases of xylitol poisoning in cats, it is best to keep substances containing xylitol away from your feline friends as well.  Better to be safe than sorry!