Humans obsess over sugar-free foods. Artificial sweeteners allow us to eat whatever we want without feeling guilty. For our dogs, it’s a different story. Sugar-free sweeteners like xylitol can be extremely toxic to dogs and may have fatal consequences. 

What is xylitol? 

The first time you hear about xylitol (pronounced zy-li-tall), it might not ring a bell. But most Americans consume food, drinks, or gum with this ingredient. 

Xylitol is a sugar substitute extracted from birch trees or corn fiber. It’s popular with humans because it’s naturally sweet but has a low glycemic index. This makes xylitol the go-to sweetener for sugar-free and low-sugar products. 

Aside from food and drinks, xylitol is a key ingredient in many medications, mouthwash, and toothpaste. Anything that goes in your mouth and claims to be “sugar-free” likely contains xylitol. This ingredient also goes by other names like wood sugar, birch sugar, or wood sugar extract on nutrition labels.

Is xylitol bad for dogs?

While xylitol is a safe and often healthier choice for humans, it’s the opposite for our pups. Xylitol is not safe for dogs to eat. Even small amounts of this ingredient can cause xylitol toxicity in dogs. With xylitol and dogs, the consequences can be fatal. 

Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs

Xylitol and dogs are a bad combination. While this sugar substitute may not affect human blood sugar, it wreaks havoc on dogs. A small taste of anything with this ingredient can cause xylitol poisoning in dogs. 

When dogs consume xylitol, it spreads quickly through their bloodstream. This triggers the pancreas to release high levels of insulin, which results in a dramatic blood sugar drop. Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, sets in about 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating xylitol. 

Xylitol poisoning in dogs is most threatening when hypoglycemia is left untreated. Hypoglycemia can be fatal for dogs, with life-threatening symptoms like seizures and liver failure. If you don’t act quickly, xylitol poisoning in dogs can mean losing your pup unexpectedly. 

What should I do if my dog eats xylitol?

While you should avoid mixing xylitol and dogs at all costs, accidents happen. If your dog accidentally eats a sugar-free food, call your vet immediately. You can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control 365 days a year, 24/7, at 1-888-426-4435. 

If you didn’t see your pup eat sugar-free food, keep an eye out for these symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs: 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Tremors
• Seizures

Don’t give your dog anything to eat or drink until you talk to poison control or your vet. Please don’t induce vomiting in your dog, either, as this can worsen hypoglycemia. Unfortunately, xylitol poisoning in dogs is pretty common. But this means your vet will know exactly how to treat your pup and, hopefully, aid in a full recovery. 

Some dogs require overnight stays in emergency animal hospitals, blood work, and IV hydration to get better. This can be scary, but it just means your dog needs extra care and monitoring before they can come home. As long as xylitol toxicity in dogs is treated quickly, many pups make a full recovery. 

How to Prevent Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs

The human world is built on sugar-free food, drinks, and products. It’s hard to avoid xylitol altogether, so here are a few things you can do to prevent xylitol poisoning in dogs. Avoid feeding your dog any sugar-free products or foods that aren’t safe for them to eat. 

What specific products should be kept away from your dog? Here’s a list of xylitol-inclusive foods, medications, drinks, and more:

Food & Drink

• Any food labeled “sugar-free”
• Breath mints 
• Low sugar or sugar-free gum
• Nut butters (peanut, almond, sunflower, etc.)
• Baked goods 
• Diet soda
• “Skinny” ice cream 

Pharmaceuticals

• Chewable, liquid, or quick-dissolve medications
• Cough syrup
• Chewable vitamins
• Nasal sprays
• Supplements

Health & Wellness

• Mouthwash
• Toothpaste
• Cough drops or lozenges
• Skin care products