Your dog could become ill from this sugar substitute, which is used in several human diets and dental items.
What kind of artificial sweetener harms dogs?
Naturally occurring xylitol is frequently collected from birch or corncobs and utilized as a sweetener in industrial items including toothpaste, gum, candy, and baked goods. Dogs can be poisoned by the sugar substitute xylitol, despite it being well tolerated in humans.
Canines quickly absorb xylitol after swallowing it. Vomiting can be observed in as little as 30 minutes, but complete symptoms can take up to 12 hours to manifest. Xylitol promotes the release of insulin in dogs, which can result in dangerously low blood sugar levels that cause drowsiness and loss of coordination. Dogs may eventually experience seizures or pass out if untreated. Xylitol has also been connected to liver failure in dogs after massive ingestions.
Xylitol is slowly absorbed in humans and doesn’t significantly raise insulin levels. It has less calories than sugar and the added advantage of reducing cavities and mouth germs. But when used in excessive doses, xylitol might have moderate side effects like diarrhea or flatulence.
Which sweeteners are suitable for canines?
How risky is Xylitol for my dog, according to what I’ve read, but what about other artificial sweeteners? Do they pose a threat? Which ways? Nice N. R.
Hello, SNR Yes, dogs should not consume any Xylitol at all. Not only is it risky, but it has also been shown to be lethal. Before I answer, let me say that it is healthier for dogs to eat a diet devoid of sweets, especially artificial sweeteners. Of course, family pets are exposed to a broad variety of foods, so accidents can still happen.
You can determine what is risky and safe by using the list of popular artificial sweeteners that is provided below. Always remember to READ THE LABELS on the food you have in your house. Dangerous chemicals like Xylitol are frequently discovered in unexpected products.
Xylitol
Numerous “sugar-free” products, including ice cream, candy, pastries, gum, yogurts, juices, and more, contain this naturally occurring sweetener. If ingested, xylitol is HIGHLY TOXIC and may be fatal. It can result in mortality, liver failure, and convulsions even at low dosages.
Monk fruit
A more recent sweetener to hit the market is monk fruit. It is comparable to Stevia and is usually okay for dogs to eat.
Being a seasoned vet, I’d be negligent if I didn’t advise you that dogs shouldn’t consume any sweets, artificial or otherwise, and that harmful sweeteners like Xylitol are included in many everyday food and non-food products including mouthwash, chewing gum, and toothpaste. Always be extra cautious about giving your dog new things, and have a backup plan ready in case of an emergency.
The non-profit AKC, which was established in 1884, is the acknowledged authority on dog breeds, health, and training. The AKC is committed to improving dog sports and actively promotes responsible dog ownership.
Does stevia do harm to dogs?
Let’s now discuss the query I know you’re all considering: “Can dogs have stevia.”
For this query, we looked to the professionals. author and veterinarian Dr. Jerry Klein, CVO, of the official AKC website.
Dr. Jerry Klein claimed in a piece he wrote that “This is a sweetener that is made organically from the stevia plant. Although stevia is okay for dogs to eat, excessive amounts can make them sick.”
You need not be concerned if your cherished dog consumes any of your stevia-sweetened treats, even if dogs shouldn’t consume any treats that include sugar or other natural or artificial sweeteners. Dr. Klein added the following in his article:
As a seasoned vet, I’d be negligent if I didn’t advise you that dogs shouldn’t consume any sweets in their diets, artificial or otherwise.
Are dogs hazardous to aspartame?
Although it is entirely safe for humans, non-primate species (including dogs!) who consume it have a strong insulin release. Acute poisoning in dogs will result in two primary syndromes: acute hepatic necrosis and hypoglycemia (a life-threateningly low blood sugar level) (i.e., severe liver failure).
The following are signs of canine xylitol poisoning:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Depression
- drunkenly walking
- Rapid collapse
- Vomiting
- quaking or trembling
- Seizures
- a pounding heartbeat
- yellowed gums
- tarry-black stool
- Diarrhea
- Bruising
- irrational mentality
- Clotting issues
- Death
Keep calm first if you believe your dog was accidently poisoned by a sugar-free item. Check the product’s ingredients to check if xylitol was included after that. The basic rule is that something is going to be harmful if xylitol is included in the first 3 ingredients (generally listed in order of how much of each ingredient appears in the food or product).
*Always read the ingredient list if your dog eats something sugar-free. It should be noted that other sugars with similar names including sorbitol, maltitol, and erythritol are not toxic to dogs. Similar to stevia, dogs are not poisoned by other sugar-free products like saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, etc. It is not dangerous if your dog consumes one of these other sound-alikes. As long as you’re certain there isn’t any xylitol, there’s no need to worry.
Calculating if a hazardous dosage of xylitol has been consumed is crucial in cases of xylitol poisoning. Doses more than 0.1 g/kg are poisonous to dogs and cause severe, unexpected issues. Acute liver necrosis has been linked to xylitol dosages greater than 0.5 g/kg. The average amount of xylitol in many candies and gums, including as OrbitTM, TridentTM, and Ice BreakersTM, ranges from 2 mg to 1.0 grams per piece. It is unfortunately not always easy to compute a dangerous dose because not all sources are revealed by the firm (for example, how many grams of xylitol may be in each piece of gum).
Treatment for your dog’s toxic dose of xylitol includes the following steps:
- having your veterinarian check your blood sugar. Your veterinarian may induce vomiting if the condition is normal and the consumption was recent (within a few hours).
- A stat bolus of intravenous (IV) dextrose (sugar) and hospitalization are required if your dog has hypoglycemia. For a minimum of 12 to 18 hours, the patient will receive IV fluids with sugar supplementation (ex. dextrose). Your dog can go home if he can keep his blood sugar stable when the dextrose supplementation is gradually reduced.
- There is no need for your veterinarian to administer activated charcoal if they made your dog puke, so make sure they skip it (i.e., a black liquid product that binds up some poisons). With xylitol poisoning, charcoal is not necessary because it cannot consistently bond to the substance.
- Your veterinarian will advise hospitalizing your dog for IV fluids, dextrose supplementation, and symptomatic supportive care if a toxic dose was consumed and not vomited back up.
- Blood testing, including liver enzymes, electrolytes, and blood sugar, must be carefully monitored.
- The usage of liver protectants, such as SAMe, milk thistle, or n-acetylcysteine, is recommended if your dog consumed a dose of xylitol that was on the verge of becoming liver-toxic. The majority of dogs are prescribed liver protectants for several weeks, with frequent liver enzyme checks at your vet to be on the safe side.
When in doubt, seek immediate medical attention from your veterinarian or an animal poison control center if you believe your dog consumed xylitol. They can calculate the amount of xylitol consumed and decide if it was toxic or not. Always make an effort to keep certain items or meals out of your pets’ reach.
Keep in mind that the sooner you identify the issue and seek veterinarian care, the less expensive and harmful it will be for your pet!
Your veterinarian is your finest resource for ensuring the health and wellbeing of your pets, therefore you should always visit or contact them if you have any questions or concerns.
Are dogs poisonous to Splenda?
Food additives known as artificial sweeteners offer a sweet taste without the added calories of sugar. We’ve outlined the market’s most popular artificial sweeteners and their effects on animals below:
- ErythritolThis industrially generated sugar alcohol is a preferred option for adherents of the low-carb and ketogenic diets due to its adaptability. Erythritol is safe for dogs, according to studies.
- AspartameAspartame can be used in considerably lower doses because it is 200 times sweeter than sugar. Products containing aspartame can give pets a slight stomach ache.
- Sucralose
- Sucralose, which is marketed under the trade name Splenda, works well in baked goods and is also present in diet drinks and other products. Although it is not hazardous to animals, there is evidence that excessive ingestion can cause digestive problems.
- Stevia
- Stevia is a well-liked sugar substitute made from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant, which is native to South America. Although stevia has not been proven to be hazardous to dogs in studies, consuming too much can result in diarrhea.
- Monk fruit as a sweetener
- Southeast Asia is the home of the little, spherical monk fruit, often referred to as lo han guo. The fruit’s extract is a popular option for people looking for a healthy substitute for sugar because it offers 150–200 times the sweetness of sugar without the calories. Animals are not poisoned by the monk fruit plant.
- Saccharine
- The major component of Sweet’N Low is saccharine, which can be found in diet beverages, drink mixes, salad dressings, and canned fruits with the “light” label. Despite not being hazardous to pets, this chemical can cause stomach distress.
The Bottom Line
With the obvious exception of xylitol, sugar substitutes are generally harmless for pets, but artificially sweetened foods shouldn’t be part of a pet’s diet. It is recommended to give your pet high-quality, age-appropriate pet food in addition to a nutritious treat every now and then, like simply cooked vegetables or (pet-friendly) fresh fruit.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts if you have any more queries about artificial sweeteners and dogs.
What sweeteners have xylitol in them?
A sugar substitute called xylitol is utilized in chewing gum, baked pastries, and numerous other commodities intended for human consumption. Due to its low glycemic index and low calorie content, it is frequently consumed by patients with diabetes.
For dogs, xylitol can be extremely poisonous, leading to low blood sugar and liver failure. The xylitol-stimulated insulin release that results in hypoglycemia. This impact can be delayed, although it typically lasts 12 to 24 hours. Although the mechanism of the idiosyncratic liver failure is unclear, it is believed to be caused by the generation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent liver damage. Cat xylitol toxicity has not been proven.
Due to the numerous novel sources of xylitol, the most frequent cause of xylitol poisoning in dogs has historically been sugar-free chewing gum. Patients who have consumed gum with an extra candy coating, which raises the xylitol concentration to deadly levels, are still being seen by our emergency room doctors.
Because of its many benefits, xylitol has become quite well-liked among people. Since xylitol has fewer calories and is almost as sweet as sugar, it is often added to flavored, sugar-free, or low-calorie products. Many skin and hair care products utilize xylitol because it possesses humectant characteristics, which allow it to help retain moisture. Additionally, it possesses antibacterial qualities that can reduce dental plaque and skin issues, boosting its use in a variety of skin care and dental products. These characteristics have sparked the creation of a variety of goods that contain xylitol, such as ice cream, breath mints, chewing gum, cough drops, gummy vitamins, dental care items, shampoos, moisturizers, deodorants, and much more.
Researchers are looking at xylitol’s potential benefits for anti-aging, its involvement in wound healing, and its potential as an antibacterial. It may also promote the production of skin collagen.
Dogs and vanilla:
Therefore, if your dog were to snare and consume a vanilla pod, it is unlikely to result in any serious issues other than, perhaps, a slight stomach upset.
This may be considerably more dangerous if they counter surfed and drank an entire bottle of vanilla extract.
Due to the high alcohol level, vanilla flavoring and extract are toxic to dogs, and even just a small amount could pose a major health danger, particularly to smaller dogs.
It is not recommended to offer your dog cakes or other sweet treats, even though they probably won’t contain enough vanilla extract to be an issue (just a few drops are often used in baking).
The excessive sugar content may cause issues with obesity, diabetes, and dental health. Additionally, baked products frequently include a lot of rich ingredients, such as dairy, which can cause unsettled stomachs. Most seriously, artificial sweeteners like xylitol are frequently introduced. Even in extremely little amounts, xylitol is highly poisonous to dogs. Additionally, cakes frequently contain chocolate and raisins, both of which are poisonous.
Can dogs consume honey?
In moderation, dogs are okay to consume honey. It is used as a sweetener in numerous foods and beverages and contains natural sugars as well as trace levels of vitamins and minerals.
That sweetness has a cost. If owners feed their dogs an excessive amount of honey and don’t provide them enough exercise and a nutritious diet, the high sugar content of honey may cause obesity in the dogs. If you do feed your dog honey, it could be a good idea to brush his teeth because sugars can also lead to dental decay.
Since raw honey may contain botulism spores, it shouldn’t be given to puppies or dogs with weakened immune systems. Dogs who are overweight or diabetic shouldn’t consume honey.
Can dogs eat maple syrup?
Small amounts of pure maple syrup can be given to dogs. Due to the additional additives, such as artificial sweeteners and preservatives, artificial maple syrup is not safe for dogs. You can give your dog rolled oats or peanut butter as a reward together with natural or pure maple syrup.
Do canines consume cinnamon?
The good news is that dogs are not harmful to cinnamon. Overdosing on cinnamon won’t have a fatal poisonous effect on your dog, but that doesn’t mean you should sprinkle it on his kibble. The Pet Poison Helpline warns that cinnamon and cinnamon oils, especially if taken in large doses, can cause skin and intestinal irritation and sensitization in both pets and people.
There are several ways to consume cinnamon, including cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, cinnamon essential oils, and cinnamon in baked foods. Chewing on cinnamon sticks, ingesting ground cinnamon, or using cinnamon essential oil can irritate your dog’s mouth, and cinnamon powder inhalation can make your dog cough, choke, or have trouble breathing.
How much is excessive? According to the Pet Poison Helpline, it takes more than one teaspoon of powder to harm most animals, while essential oils can be harmful in lesser doses and small breed dogs may be more sensitive to cinnamon than large breeds. A significant cinnamon overdose can cause vomiting, diarrhea, changes in heart rhythm, low blood sugar, and liver illness, the hotline also cautions.
