Xylitol is a low calorie sugar substitute that has gained popularity since its first FDA-approved appearance in the early 1960s. It contains about two thirds the calories of regular sugar and has good properties for human health, with the initial marketing for diabetics. Today, you can probably imagine the amount of “low calorie” items that…
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Xylitol is a natural, sugar-free sweetener commonly found in chewing gums, mints, foods (e.g., pudding, gelatin snacks, sauces, syrups, jams, etc.), candies (chocolate and non-chocolate), oral rinses, toothpastes, OTC supplements (e.g., sugar-free chewable multivitamins, fish oils, etc.), some essential oil products, nasal sprays, and even makeup and personal lubricants. There are even some pieces of…
Many people are cutting back on sugar, which has led to an enormous increase in the number of products that contain xylitol, a lower-calorie sugar substitute with a low glycemic index that is found naturally in berries, plums, corn, oats, mushrooms, lettuce, trees and some other fruits. Now it is being used to sweeten everything…
By Jo Marshall, CVT, NREMT Senior Veterinary Information Specialist I am here to tell you, xylitol kills dogs! Let’s get the word out! Tell your friends with dogs, your family that have dogs, the neighbor down the street walking their dog, just get the word out! Not a week goes by where I don’t have…
Renee D. Schmid, DVM Associate Veterinarian, Clinical Toxicology at Pet Poison Helpline® Xylitol is a sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. Rabbits, cows, baboons and horses have also demonstrated sensitivity, although to a lesser extent. There have even been anecdotal reports of sensitivity in cats and ferrets, although there is no published data on…
By: Pamela Huyck Certified Veterinary Technician at Pet Poison Helpline® As many pet owners know, xylitol is toxic to dogs. Even seemingly small amounts of a product with xylitol can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure. The most well-known source of xylitol is sugar-free gum. Here at Pet Poison Helpline®, we keep…
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol with many uses. It can be used to help prevent cavities, sweeten foods and candies, retain moisture, and prevent fermentation and molding. Because of its versatility, xylitol is being found in a wide range of household products. Xylitol can be found in gum, candy, drinks, baked goods, toothpastes, lotions, deodorants,…
By: Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, DABT, DABVT Associate Director of Veterinary Services, Pet Poison Helpline® Surprise! Xylitol appears in products you’d never suspect. Pet Poison Helpline® (PPH) has discovered that xylitol, a sweetener which causes hypoglycemia and hepatic necrosis in dogs, is showing up in some very unexpected places. New products on the market such…
Xylitol, also known as birch sugar, is a natural sweetener found in small quantities in certain fruit and produced by processing the bark from birch trees or corncob remnants from ethanol plants. Xylitol is most popular for its sugar-free component, and is often found in diabetic snacks, foods, baked foods, and popular gums and candies….
Many sugarless gums (including some Trident, Orbit, and Ice Breaker brands) and candies contain xylitol, a sweetener which is toxic to dogs. Beware of those desserts or baked goods that could also be made with xylitol! Even small amounts ingested can result in a life-threatening drop in blood sugar, or with large amounts of ingestion,…
