Xylitol May Be Deadly to Dogs

Many dog owners are aware that chocolate, coffee, and grapes are toxic to dogs, but did you know about the risk from ingesting the common sweetener, xylitol? Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is found in a variety of products, including chewing gum, toothpaste, candy, chewable vitamins, and sugar-free baked goods. While xylitol is not toxic to humans, it can be deadly to dogs. Ingesting 100 milligram of xylitol per kilogram of bodyweight may cause life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The drop in blood sugar occurs within 15 minutes while the symptoms of hypoglycemia (depression, loss of coordination, seizures, coma) may be seen within 30 minutes after the dog eats the xylitol-containing product. Exposure to higher doses of xylitol may result in fatal liver failure.

Since the toxic dose depends on body weight, it is difficult to say how much xylitol the dog would have to eat in order for it to be at risk. According to Snopes, the lethal dose for a 65 lb dog might be contained in 8-10 pieces of gum, with as little as 2-3 sticks of gum causing a lethal drop in blood sugar in a 20 lb dog. Because the effects from the xylitol are experienced so quickly and it is so difficult to gauge the dose, dog owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if their dog has eaten a product which contains xylitol. You may be instructed to induce vomiting and to bring the dog in to have its blood sugar checked. The usual treatment is to provide intravenous glucose. The dog may be permitted to return home once insulin values have returned to normal.