The fact that pets love treats and treats tends to benefit us most of the time. We all find them very useful when we want them to do something or simply offer them if they have earned a reward. Unfortunately, the same food-craving urge can also lead a pet to consume a non-animal treat or a product that is simply not good for their health, something that often happens on the street with dogs and at home with any pet by our own carelessness …
Like, for example, xylitol. Found in a variety of sugar-free candies, medications, oral hygiene products, and foods, this artificial sweetener can cause severe poisoning in most pets. Take note in the following lines because we tell you the possible risks that it may have for your life partner.
What is xylitol?
To clarify concepts, xylitol or xylitol is a widely used sweetener for making beverages, candies or chewing gums that do not contain sugar. It is obtained from birch or from a vegetable fiber called xylan and is a substitute for sugar.
Many are the dogs, cats and other pets that, either because we give it to them or accidentally, eat food with this sweetener, and can become ill from poisoning.
Xylitol: good for us …
This sweetener that is found naturally in various plants and trees, xylitol, is widely used by us humans. You can buy it in granular form, such as table sugar, to sweeten beverages, cereals, or baked goods. Surprisingly, xylitol doesn’t contribute to tooth decay like sugar does. In fact, it can reduce tooth decay by 30-85% in people.
Xylitol is ideal for people with diabetes and those on low-carbohydrate or weight-loss diets because it ranks very low on the glycemic index and does not raise blood sugar levels. In other words, none of the harmful side effects of sugar are present in xylitol.
… Bad for them
Thus, while xylitol has its recognized place in people’s everyday lives, it can be disastrous for animals. Specifically, dogs can be quickly poisoned by products containing xylitol. But why?
Xylitol is estimated to be approximately 100 times more toxic to dogs than chocolate. Even a very small amount found in a single sugarless gum can cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar in dogs.
Their bodies mistake xylitol for glucose and the pancreas begins to produce insulin. This type of poisoning from pets such as cats and dogs can also lead to liver failure. If the incident occurs while the animal is alone, the unattended toxicity of xylitol could even cause its death.
Cats experience similar drops in blood sugar, but due to their pickier tastes, they rarely choose candy or baked goods.
Xylitol Poisoning in Animals: Symptoms to Watch Out For
If you know or suspect that your pet ate something with xylitol, seek urgent veterinary attention immediately. You may notice sudden or unusual weakness, loss of coordination, seizures, and collapse within 30 minutes or less.
With prompt intervention, pets can recover from the hypoglycemic stage with the help of intravenous fluids, close monitoring, and hospitalization. They may require close observation to detect liver disease as they age.
Products that may contain xylitol
Here are the types of products that, if ingested, can cause serious poisoning in pets. These are the most common culprits:
- Toothpaste and mouthwash.
- Peanut butter (many brands use more than peanuts in their spreads – watch out!).
- Chewing gum, breath drops, and candy labeled “sugar-free.”
- Jam or jelly.
- Fruit drinks.
- Jelly or pudding.
- Cereal.
- Muffins, cookies, or cakes (this by itself is never a good option for pets to try, as the high fat and sugar content even in normal baked goods can lead to pancreatitis)
- Vitamins and chewable supplements.
Prevent Xylitol Poisoning of a Pet
Fortunately, with a little more foresight at home and away, you can definitely prevent xylitol poisoning of a pet. Here are some more tips:
- Always keep products containing xylitol in closed cabinets, never within the reach of pets.
- Read the labels of the foods you eat every day to find out which ones you should be more careful about.
- Do not allow your pet to taste anything on the ground, in the park or anywhere you walk.
- Act quickly when you suspect your pet has eaten xylitol.
- Try to take any leftovers, or the box of the product that he has consumed, to the vet when you go to the consultation.
Our veterinarians are always at your disposal to help your pet. If you have any more questions about xylitol and preventing pet poisoning, please let us know.
Xylitol is a naturally occurring substance that is widely used as a sugar substitute. Chemically, it is a sugar alcohol, and is found naturally in berries, plums, corn, oats, mushrooms, lettuce, trees, and some other fruits.
Commercially, most xylitol is extracted from corn fiber or birch trees. Although it has been used as a sugar substitute for decades, its popularity has increased dramatically in the last decade due to its low glycemic index and dental plaque fighting properties.
Where is xylitol found?
Xylitol is manufactured into a white powder that looks and tastes similar to sugar. In many countries it has been approved for use in oral care products, pharmaceuticals, and as a food additive. Over recent years, the number and types of products that contain xylitol has greatly increased. Example products include sugar-free gum, candies, breath mints, baked goods, peanut butter, pudding snacks, cough syrup, chewable or gummy vitamins, and supplements or over the counter medications, mouthwash, and toothpaste. Xylitol is also showing up in over-the-counter nasal sprays, skin care products, laxatives, digestive aids, allergy medicines, dry mouth lozenges, sleep supplements, as well as prescription human medications, especially those formulated as quick dissolve tablets or liquids.
Why is xylitol increasing in popularity and use?
Xylitol has the same sweetness as sucrose but contains only about two-thirds the calories. As a sugar substitute, it is lower on the glycemic index, a scale that ranks carbohydrate-rich foods by how much they raise blood sugar levels, compared to glucose. Being lower on the glycemic index makes xylitol useful for diabetics or people on low carbohydrate diets.
With respect to oral health, research has shown that xylitol helps reduce the formation of plaque, inhibits dental cavities, and stimulates the production of saliva.
How safe is xylitol?
Xylitol is safe for use in people, although like most sugar alcohols, it may have a mild laxative effect when eaten in large amounts or when first introduced to a diet. This occurs because xylitol can pull water into the intestines, or it can be fermented by bacteria present in the intestines.
"Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs."
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure, or even death in dogs.
Why is xylitol toxic to dogs?
In both humans and dogs, the level of blood sugar is controlled by the release of insulin from the pancreas. Xylitol does not stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas in humans. However, when dogs eat xylitol, the xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas. This rapid release of insulin causes a profound drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia), an effect that can occur as quickly as 10-60 minutes after ingestion. If untreated, hypoglycemia can be life-threatening. The process by which xylitol can cause liver failure in dogs is poorly understood.
How much xylitol is poisonous to a dog?
Due to differing amounts of xylitol present in various products, the amount of a product that is needed to be ingested before toxicity is expected varies. In general, lower doses of xylitol cause hypoglycemia, while higher doses cause liver failure. Xylitol amounts in gum vary by brand and can even vary within the same brand based on type of gum and flavor. Some brands of gum contain low amounts of xylitol, while other brands contain larger amounts. Because there is a large range of xylitol in different brands and flavors of gum, it is important to identify whether a toxic amount has been ingested. The most common source of xylitol poisoning that Pet Poison Helpline* gets calls about comes from sugar-free gum, although cases of xylitol poisoning from other sources such as supplements and baked goods are on the rise. In 2020, Pet Poison Helpline had 5,846 calls involving dogs ingesting xylitol!
What should I do if my dog eats something containing xylitol?
If you suspect that your dog has eaten a xylitol-containing product, please contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal poison control center, at 1-800-213-6680 immediately.
Do not induce vomiting or give anything orally to your dog unless specifically directed to do so by your veterinarian. It is important to get treatment for your dog as quickly as possible. As some dogs may already be hypoglycemic, inducing vomiting can worsen clinical signs.
What are the signs of xylitol poisoning?
Initial signs of xylitol poisoning are typically due to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and can develop within an hour of consumption. Signs of low blood sugar may include any or all of the following:
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Lack of coordination or difficulty walking or standing
- Weakness/sluggishness or lethargy
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Coma
In severe cases, the dog may develop seizures or liver failure. Dogs that develop liver failure from xylitol poisoning may or may not show signs of hypoglycemia first.
How is xylitol poisoning diagnosed?
A presumptive diagnosis of xylitol poisoning is made if you know or suspect that the dog ate something containing xylitol, and there are signs of hypoglycemia or liver failure. Since clinical signs develop rapidly, your veterinarian will not generally wait for a confirmed diagnosis regarding the specific amount ingested before beginning treatment.
Is there an antidote for xylitol poisoning?
No. There is no antidote for xylitol poisoning, although treatment with intravenous dextrose (glucose) supplementation and liver protective drugs are beneficial.
How is xylitol poisoning treated?
Fast and aggressive treatment by your veterinarian is essential to effectively reverse any toxic effects and prevent the development of severe problems.
If your dog has just eaten xylitol but has not yet developed any clinical signs, your veterinarian may induce vomiting to prevent further absorption depending on what your dog's blood glucose level is. If clinical signs have developed, treatment will be based on the signs that are being shown. Since xylitol can cause both low blood glucose and low potassium levels, your veterinarian will perform blood work to determine whether these problems need to be treated. In all cases, your dog will require hospitalization for blood glucose monitoring, dextrose administration, intravenous fluids, liver protectants, and any other supportive care that may be needed. Blood work should be monitored frequently to make sure that blood glucose and liver function remain normal.
What is the prognosis for recovery from xylitol poisoning?
The prognosis is good for dogs that are treated before clinical signs develop, or for dogs that develop uncomplicated hypoglycemia that is quickly reversed. If liver failure develops, the prognosis is generally guarded and patients may need prolonged treatment.
How can I prevent this problem?
If you use products containing xylitol, make sure they are stored safely out of reach of your dogs. Do not share any food that may contain xylitol with your dogs. When brushing your dogs’ teeth, only use toothpaste intended for dogs, never one made for human use. Keep in mind that there are some veterinary products that contain small amounts of xylitol (e.g., gabapentin medication, mouthwashes). At prescribed doses, these should not result in xylitol poisoning; however, if ingested in large amounts, they can potentially result in poisoning.
"If you use products containing xylitol, make sure they are stored safely, out of reach of your dogs."
It seems that dogs are the most sensitive to xylitol poisoning. Cats, rabbits, ferrets, and horses do not appear to develop hypoglycemia or liver failure from ingestion of xylitol. Even though these other species do not appear to be sensitive to xylitol, it is still best to keep them away from xylitol-containing products.
With any poisoning, prompt decontamination and treatment are always warranted, as it is less dangerous to your dog and less costly. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are imperative.
Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control center based out of Minneapolis, MN is available 24/7 for pet owners and veterinary professionals that require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. The staff provides treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s fee of $65 per incident includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the poison case. Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com