Introduction
Xylitol is a common sugar substitute used in many products, especially gum, candy, toothpaste and baked goods. While xylitol is safe for human consumption, it can be extremely toxic and deadly for dogs.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol derived from plants like birch trees and corn cobs. It has about 40% fewer calories than regular sugar, with a similar sweetness. It provides oral health benefits and does not spike blood sugar like sugar.
For humans, xylitol is a great alternative to sugar. However, even small amounts (measured in milligrams per body weight) can cause toxin build-up and life-threatening complications in dogs.
Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs
Xylitol is a common sugar substitute used in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods and other foods. It is considered safe for human consumption. However, xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs.
Xylitol is toxic to dogs because their bodies mistake it for real sugar and start producing large amounts of insulin to process it. This rapid release of insulin causes a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia can cause vomiting, weakness, loss of coordination and seizures. Left untreated, it can lead to liver failure and even death.
Xylitol does not have this effect in people. The human body processes xylitol differently and does not mistake it for real sugar. Therefore, xylitol does not cause hypoglycemia in humans.
Amounts of Xylitol that can Cause Harm
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, even in small quantities. The toxic dose depends on the dog’s weight. On average, as little as 0.1 gram of xylitol per 2 lbs of body weight can cause hypoglycemia in dogs. Though rare, ingestions of greater than 0.5 grams per 2 lbs have resulted in severe liver damage.
To put this in perspective, one piece of gum may contain 0.25-1 gram of xylitol. Eating just 2-3 pieces of gum could send a 10 pound dog into life-threatening hypoglycemia and liver failure.
As a pet parent, it is crucial to keep anything containing xylitol well out of reach of your dogs. The amount contained in just a few pieces of gum is enough to cause serious, even fatal, consequences in canines.
Signs of Xylitol Poisoning
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. Within 10-60 minutes of ingesting xylitol, dogs can start to show signs of poisoning, including:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Ataxia (loss of coordination)
- Seizures
- Coma
- Liver failure
These symptoms are caused by the rapid release of insulin in the dog’s body, resulting in dangerously low blood sugar levels. This rapid insulin release and hypoglycemia can begin within 10-60 minutes after a dog eats foods containing xylitol.
Xylitol poisoning can also lead to liver damage or even liver failure within 12-24 hours. Dogs may develop coagulopathy, which makes it difficult for their blood to clot. They may also develop hepatomegaly, meaning an enlarged liver.
If a dog shows any signs of xylitol poisoning, it should be treated as a life-threatening veterinary emergency. The earlier treatment begins, the better the chances of recovery and preventing long-term liver damage.
Calculating Xylitol Content
When looking at product labels, it’s important to note the xylitol content per serving and calculate how much total xylitol would be consumed based on the number of servings. Here are some tips for calculating xylitol content:
- Check the ingredient list for xylitol – it may be listed by itself or as part of a sugar alcohol blend.
- Look at the nutrition facts label and find the line for sugar alcohols – this is where xylitol content will be listed in grams per serving.
- Some products list xylitol separately from other sugar alcohols on the nutrition label – if so, just use the number listed for xylitol.
- If xylitol is not called out separately, you’ll need to estimate what percentage of the sugar alcohol amount is xylitol based on its position in the ingredient list.
- Multiply the xylitol amount per serving by the number of servings to get the total xylitol content.
- As a general rule of thumb, products containing 0.1g xylitol or more per serving can be dangerous to dogs.
Be vigilant about checking labels and calculating xylitol content anytime you give food to your dog. Even very small amounts can be toxic over time.
Dangerous Foods
Some common foods that contain xylitol and can be dangerous for dogs include:
- Chewing gum – Many popular chewing gums contain xylitol as a sugar substitute. Even small amounts of gum can contain enough xylitol to cause toxicity in dogs.
- Peanut butter – Some peanut butters add xylitol as a sweetener. Always check the ingredients before giving peanut butter to your dog.
- Sugar-free candy – Candy, mints, and breath strips marked sugar-free often contain xylitol. Keep candy out of reach of dogs.
- Baked goods – Xylitol is sometimes used in recipes for muffins, cookies, cakes, and other baked treats in place of sugar. Do not feed dogs food containing xylitol.
- Some nut butters – In addition to peanut butter, some almond, cashew, and other nut butters may contain xylitol.
- Flavored yogurt – Some yogurts and yogurt blends have xylitol added as a sweetener. Check labels before feeding yogurt to dogs.
- Sugar-free gum/mints – Gum and mints labeled “sugar-free” frequently contain xylitol. Keep away from dogs.
- Some processed meats – Xylitol is sometimes added to the ingredients of sausages, hot dogs, deli meats, jerky, and other processed meats.
Check the ingredient list for xylitol before feeding people food to your dog. When in doubt, avoid giving the food.
Preventing Xylitol Poisoning
The key to preventing xylitol poisoning in dogs is to make sure they never have access to products containing this sweetener. Here are some tips for keeping your dog safe:
- Check labels of gum, mints, candy, peanut butter, and baked goods for xylitol. Avoid purchasing items with xylitol in your home.
- Keep purses, bags, and coat pockets with gum or mints zipped up or out of reach from your dog.
- Store xylitol containing foods in cabinets or containers your dog can’t get into.
- Never give your dog food from the table, even small amounts can contain xylitol.
- Warn others not to offer any food to your dog. Many people are unaware of the dangers.
- When visiting others, check their home for easily accessible xylitol products.
- Supervise your dog closely when loose in the home to prevent sneaking food.
- If you must have xylitol products, purchase and keep them separately from normal family foods.
While tiny amounts of xylitol may not cause harm, it’s safest to keep these products completely away from your dog. Vigilance is required as xylitol can be found in many unexpected foods. Prevention is crucial to avoiding this life-threatening toxicity.
Treating Xylitol Poisoning
If xylitol poisoning is suspected, immediate veterinary treatment is crucial. The first step will likely be inducing vomiting to try and eliminate any remaining xylitol from the dog’s stomach before it can be absorbed. This is done under veterinary supervision to avoid complications.
Hospitalization with intravenous fluids and glucose monitoring is usually required. Glucose and liver function monitoring will continue for at least 24 hours, since xylitol poisoning can cause a delayed drop in blood sugar. Medications may be given to protect the liver from damage.
With prompt, aggressive treatment, many dogs fully recover from xylitol toxicity. However, liver damage and secondary complications can sometimes be fatal. The prognosis depends on the amount ingested and how quickly treatment was administered.
Prognosis
The prognosis for dogs poisoned by xylitol depends on the amount ingested and how quickly treatment is received. With prompt veterinary care, many dogs recover fully. However, xylitol toxicity can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Dogs who only ingest small amounts of xylitol and receive veterinary treatment within the first few hours generally have an excellent prognosis. They are likely to make a full recovery with no lasting effects.
For dogs who consume larger doses or have a delayed onset of treatment, the prognosis becomes more guarded. These dogs are at risk for liver failure, severe hypoglycemia, bleeding disorders, and even death if the toxicity is severe. However, even in advanced cases, intensive veterinary treatment can still result in recovery.
Overall, most dogs survive xylitol poisoning if they receive appropriate veterinary care. However, the higher the dose ingested and the longer the delay in treatment, the poorer the prognosis. Rapid decontamination and aggressive therapy greatly improve the outlook.
Key factors that influence prognosis include:
- The amount of xylitol ingested
- The size and breed of the dog
- How quickly vomiting is induced
- If liver protectants are administered
- If liver damage or hypoglycemia develops
- How rapidly intravenous fluids and dextrose are given
With prompt veterinary treatment, most dogs will make a full recovery. However, xylitol toxicity is still a medical emergency requiring immediate action to prevent serious harm.
Key Takeaways
Even small amounts of xylitol can be dangerous to dogs. As little as 0.1 grams of xylitol per kg of body weight can cause hypoglycemia in dogs.
Look out for signs of xylitol poisoning including vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, collapse, and seizures. Seek veterinary care immediately if poisoning is suspected.
Xylitol is found in many human foods including sugar-free gum, breath mints, baked goods, peanut butter, and some sugar-free foods. Keep these foods away from your dog.
Read food labels carefully to look for xylitol in the ingredients list. Calculate the xylitol content to determine if a food is safe for your dog.
Prevent xylitol poisoning by keeping human foods away from dogs and monitoring what they eat. Store unsafe foods out of reach.
Treatment for xylitol poisoning includes inducing vomiting if recently ingested, IV fluids, glucose supplementation, and liver protectants. Prognosis depends on the amount ingested.