Xylitol & Dogs: Poisoning, Symptoms, & Common Foods with Xylitol

While many people know grapes and chocolate are dangerous for dogs, did you know xylitol is poisonous for dogs too?!

The artificial sweetener xylitol can cause major health problems, including death if ingested by a dog.

So, in this article, we’re gonna dive into all things xylitol and pups so you can keep your good boy or girl safe!

DISCLAIMER: If you believe your dog has ingested something with xylitol, call your vet or a pet poison control hotline immediately.

Here’s what we will cover:

-What is xylitol

-Why is xylitol poisonous and toxic for dogs

-Symptoms of xylitol poisoning

-What foods contain xylitol

-How to keep your dog safe from xylitol

While xylitol is touted for its oral benefits and low-calorie sweetness for humans, it is extremely dangerous for dogs.

Xylitol causes a sharp increase in insulin that can lead to hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar). If left untreated hypoglycemia can become fatal to a dog.

Recently, researchers and professionals have found that xylitol can also cause liver failure (hepatic failure).

In dogs, other complications that can arise from xylitol ingestion are hypokalemia (low potassium levels) and hypophosphatemia (low phosphorous levels).

Based on experience at the ASPCA APCC, dogs ingesting greater than 0.1 g/kg of xylitol should be considered at risk for developing hypoglycemia. In comparison, doses greater than 0.5 g/kg may be hepatotoxic (toxic to the liver) and more than likely cause death. 

So of course you are probably wondering how to calculate those numbers…

Well, it can be difficult. Many products do not explicitly list the amount of xylitol in their product, but let’s show a rough example.

Chewing gum typically contains about 0.22-1.0 grams of xylitol per piece!

In this sample calculation, I’ll use my Labrador Retriever Scout. She weighs about 65 lbs or about 30 kg.

So 0.1 g/kg would be about 3 grams of xylitol. To find the g/kg level that can lead to hypoglycemia, just take your dog’s weight in kilograms and multiply by 0.1

If 1 stick of gum is anywhere from 0.22-1 gram, just 3 sticks of gum could cause our very large dog to develop severe complications.

And anything above that could quickly lead to liver failure and death.

Here are some symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs:

-Decreased movement

-Lethargy

-Vomiting

-Weakness

-Staggering

-Incoordination

-Collapsing

-Seizures

COMMON FOODS THAT CONTAIN XYLITOL

-Sugar-free gum, Ice Breakers have been said to contain more xylitol than others.

-Peanut butter

-Nut butter

-Mouthwash

-Toothpaste

-Pudding

-Syrups

-Jams

-Chocolate

-Chewable multivitamins

-Nasal sprays

-Personal lubricants

-Sugar-free mints

-Sugar-free candy

Above all, keep xylitol-type products out of reach of your dog. If your dog ingests anything with xylitol immediately call your vet and/or pet poison hotline.

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