Reviewed by Renee Schmid DVM, DABT, DABVT · Last updated: October 2026

A pack of gum left in a purse or a sugar-free candy dropped on the floor can catch any pet parent off guard. If your dog got into a sugar-free product, it’s natural to feel worried. Our veterinary toxicology experts are here to help you take the right next step.

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs. Xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar that can develop quickly. Xylitol can also cause liver failure.

If your dog got into sugar-free gum, candy, or mints, we recommend calling Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian right away. Xylitol can act quickly, so early guidance matters.

Take extra care with anything labeled sugar-free, sugarless, no sugar added, or keto. The amount of xylitol varies widely between products. Even different flavors from the same brand can contain different amounts, so it’s best to check every package. If you’re not sure whether a product contains xylitol, call Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

What Products Contain Xylitol?

Xylitol is found in many sugar-free products, especially chewing gum, breath mints, candies, and baked goods. Xylitol also shows up in many other products, such as:

• Chocolate and non-chocolate candies
• Puddings, gelatin snacks, sauces, syrups, and jams
• Some peanut butters
• Toothpastes and oral rinses
• Sugar-free chewable multivitamins, fish oils, and other supplements
• Nicotine gum and other smoking-cessation products
• Some nasal sprays, essential oil products, makeup, and personal lubricants
• Bulk xylitol sold for home cooking and baking

If you share peanut butter with your dog or use peanut butter to give medications, choose a peanut butter without xylitol. Checking the label each time you buy a new jar is the safest approach, since formulas can change.

Halloween Sugar-Free Candy List

Trick-or-treat bags and holiday candy bowls often include sugar-free options. That makes Halloween a good time to read labels closely. These are the product types to check:

Product type	Why to check the label
Sugar-free gum	One of the most common sources of xylitol exposure in dogs
Breath mints and sugar-free peppermints	A common xylitol source. Mints are also easy to drop or leave in a bag.
Sugar-free hard candy and lollipops	Sugar-free candies may be sweetened with xylitol.
Sugar-free chocolate	May combine xylitol with chocolate, which is toxic to dogs on its own.
Sugar-free marshmallows	Some sugar-free or low-sugar marshmallows contain xylitol.
Sugar-free gummies	Gummy candies labeled sugar-free may contain xylitol.
“Keto” or low-sugar candy bars	Low-sugar candies may use xylitol in place of sugar.
Sugar-free baked goods	Cookies, brownies, and desserts made sugar-free may contain xylitol.

Some sugarless gums and candies contain xylitol and others don’t. Formulas also change over time. Rather than relying on a brand name, check the ingredient list on the exact package your dog got into.

For more Halloween safety tips, see can dogs eat candy and our Halloween pet safety guide. Learn more about sugar-free marshmallows. 

Why Is Xylitol Dangerous to Dogs?

Xylitol is dangerous to dogs because it causes a sudden drop in blood sugar. When a dog eats xylitol, the xylitol is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. The xylitol then triggers the pancreas to release a surge of insulin.

The insulin surge causes a rapid, dangerous drop in blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia. Xylitol can also cause acute liver failure in dogs. People don’t experience this problem, which is why a product that’s safe for you can be an emergency for your dog.

How Much Xylitol Is Dangerous?

Any amount of xylitol should be treated as a potential danger to your dog. Even small amounts of xylitol can potentially cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar. Smaller dogs are generally at greater risk.

Estimating the risk at home is difficult because the xylitol content of products varies widely. Some products contain very little xylitol, while others contain much more. Even different flavors of the same brand of gum can contain different amounts.

For these reasons, we recommend calling as soon as you know or suspect your dog got into a product containing xylitol. Our veterinary toxicology experts can assess the exact product, the amount, and your dog’s size. Our team will then guide you on whether your dog needs further care.

My Dog Got Into Gum. What Should I Do?

If your dog got into gum, it’s best to act right away. Many sugar-free gums contain xylitol, and signs of xylitol poisoning can develop quickly.

1. Remove any gum still in your dog’s mouth, if you can do so safely. This prevents your dog from swallowing more.
2. Find the package. Check the ingredient list for xylitol and note how many pieces are missing. These details help our team assess the exposure.
3. Call Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian. We recommend calling before signs appear, since xylitol can act quickly.
4. If our team recommends further care, it helps to have a plan for getting your dog to a veterinary clinic. A little preparation can save valuable time. 

Never induce vomiting at home without guidance from a trusted veterinary professional. Inducing vomiting isn’t safe for every pet or every exposure. A veterinary professional will guide your next steps based on your pet’s exposure.

These steps apply whether your dog got into a single piece, a whole pack, bubble gum, or gum found on the sidewalk during a walk. For more, read My Dog Ate Gum. What Happens Now?.

Signs of Xylitol Poisoning

Signs of low blood sugar can develop quickly after a dog eats xylitol. In some cases, signs may be delayed for several hours. Watch for:

• Vomiting
• Weakness or lethargy (unusual tiredness or low energy)
• Lack of coordination, staggering, or difficulty walking
• Tremors
• Collapse
• Seizures

Liver damage may not cause obvious signs right away. For that reason, follow-up with your veterinary team is important, even if your dog seems fine in the moment.

If your dog shows any of these signs, seek veterinary care right away or call Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

What Happens When You Call Pet Poison Helpline?

When you call Pet Poison Helpline, our veterinary toxicology experts will ask about the product, the amount your dog got into, and your dog’s size and health. Our team uses these details to assess your dog’s risk.

Our team will guide you on whether your dog can be monitored at home or needs further care. If your dog needs to be seen in-clinic, our experts can work directly with your veterinarian. Your case fee includes unlimited follow-up calls, so you and your veterinary team can reach us as your dog’s care continues.

What Is the Outlook for Dogs After Xylitol Exposure?

The outlook for dogs after xylitol exposure is often good when the exposure is caught early and a veterinary team can guide care quickly. The outlook can be more guarded if a dog has already begun to develop liver failure. That’s why we recommend calling right away, before signs appear.

Is Xylitol Toxic to Cats?

Xylitol does not appear to cause the dangerous drop in blood sugar in cats that xylitol causes in dogs. Even so, many sugar-free products contain other ingredients that can be harmful to pets. Sugar-free chocolate still contains theobromine, which is toxic to cats.

If your cat got into a sugar-free product, we recommend contacting Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or your veterinarian. Our team can check the full ingredient list for anything that may affect your cat.

How To Keep Xylitol Products Out of Reach

Keeping xylitol products out of reach is the best way to prevent an exposure.

• Store gum, mints, and sugar-free candy in closed cabinets or drawers.
• Keep purses, backpacks, and coat pockets out of reach, since gum and mints often travel in bags.
• Ask guests to keep their bags off the floor and away from curious noses.
• Keep toothpaste, supplements, and medications in closed cabinets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does xylitol affect dogs?
Xylitol can affect dogs quickly, and a dangerous drop in blood sugar can develop soon after a dog eats xylitol. In some cases, signs may be delayed for several hours. Because xylitol can act so quickly, we recommend contacting Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian as soon as you know or suspect your dog got into xylitol.

How much xylitol is poisonous to dogs?
Xylitol has a low margin of safety in dogs and the amount each dog can safely ingest varies based on their size and overall health, so even small amounts can be dangerous. Smaller dogs are generally at greater risk. The amount of xylitol varies widely between products, and even between flavors of the same brand. For that reason, there’s no reliable way to judge the risk at home, and a veterinary toxicology expert at Pet Poison Helpline can assess your dog’s specific exposure.

Does all sugar-free gum have xylitol?
Not all sugar-free gum contains xylitol, but many sugar-free gums do. Ingredients can also change over time. Check the ingredient list on the exact package your dog got into for xylitol, birch sugar, or sugar alcohol.

What is birch sugar?
Birch sugar is another name for xylitol that may appear on ingredient labels. Birch sugar is equally toxic to dogs as any product labeled “xylitol.”

Can a dog survive xylitol poisoning?
Dogs can recover from xylitol poisoning, and the outlook is often good when the exposure is caught early and a veterinary team can guide care quickly. The outlook can be more guarded if liver failure has already begun. That’s why we recommend calling Pet Poison Helpline as soon as you know your dog got into xylitol.

Get Expert Help 24/7

Xylitol can act quickly, so it’s best to call as soon as you know or suspect your dog got into a sugar-free product. Pet Poison Helpline’s veterinary toxicology experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for all species and all toxins.

Call 855-764-7661 for expert toxicology guidance when your pet needs it most. A single $99 fee per case includes unlimited follow-up calls for that case.