Hoover, your six-month-old puppy, will consume anything that isn’t secured. You are aware that chocolate can be harmful to your dog, like many other dog owners. But you might not be aware that the repercussions could be fatal if Hoover gets his nose in your handbag and swallows a pack of sugarless chewing gum.
Xylitol, a type of sweetener referred to as sugar alcohol, is sometimes found in sugarless gum. Many goods and foods intended for human use include xylitol, but your pet may suffer terrible consequences from it.
Call your veterinarian, an urgent care facility, or an animal poison control center right away if you suspect your dog may have consumed a product containing xylitol.
Additionally, you may have heard or read news reports about dogs who have passed away or had severe illnesses after consuming items containing xylitol, also referred to as birch sugar or wood sugar.
Which sweetener can harm 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.
Does stevia do harm to dogs?
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.
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.
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?
This month, Splenda packets are allegedly being intentionally left in Kew Gardens, according to reports, in an effort to hurt dogs exercising in Forest Park.
A March 9 post on the Forest Park Barking Lot’s Facebook page said that there have been numerous reports of a mysterious person throwing packages into the area.
The message states, “I am requesting the dog park community to unite and assist in identifying the culprits.
Splenda is extremely toxic and lethal to dogs, and it can both make them ill and kill them.
However, the allegations of witnessing a suspicious person throw packs of splenda were downplayed in a Facebook post on March 20.
“According to Gabriela Bobadilla, a resident of Kew Gardens and one of the dog run’s founders, the notion that someone threw Splenda packets into the enclosure is only a rumor. “It might be because people stroll through the run in the mornings and leave their coffee packets behind.
Dog owners, however, have claimed that this would not be the first attempt to harm their pets at The Overlook, a 9,000-square-foot area close to the Parks Department administration office.
“According to Kew Gardens homeowner and frequent user of the dog run Esta-Joy Sydell, one dog was poisoned with rat poison several months ago.
According to comments made by other dog owners on the Facebook page, the area has shown a lot of resentment against the expanding dog community.
Some claim that people walking their dogs have received outright threats from dog-haters, and that people have been seen spraying unidentified substances in the park.
Splenda could potentially produce signs of diarrhea and digestive discomfort in dogs, but doctors say it is unlikely to harm them severely.
A comparable artificial sweetener that is frequently found in toothpaste, mints, baked products, and chewing gum is far more toxic even though Splenda does somewhat affect dogs.
The other sweetener, according to the ASPCA, enters a dog’s system fast and releases a significant amount of insulin, which can result in liver failure. Vomiting and drowsiness are the early symptoms of toxicosis, which can progress to seizures and finally cause liver failure.
“The March 20 Facebook post states, “If anyone does have firsthand knowledge please let us know… and we will investigate.”
Dog owners have requested that visitors to the park tidy up and discard any trash that is lying about.
What brand name is xylitol?
People with diabetes, those who avoid sugar, and those who want to consume less sugar frequently search for sugar substitutes. There are plenty of them, which is a concern. And many people are unaware of these distinctions. Alternatives to sugar are frequently seen as just that: alternatives to sugar. They are unaware that these substitutes contain various chemicals, some of which are more beneficial to your health than others.
Naturally, we are in favor of xylitol substitutes for sugar. Brands that use xylitol as a sugar substitute include, to mention a few, XyloSweet, Lite&Sweet, Xyla, and Global Sweet.
Xylitol might not be widely known. When people consider sweeteners, they frequently consider stevia, aspartame, or perhaps agave. But more often than not, they’ll likely consider the names of sugar substitutes as opposed to the real sweetener employed. Use Equal, Splenda, or Sweet N’ Low as an alternative to aspartame, sucralose, or saccharin, for instance.
You might believe that it won’t make a difference which sugar substitute you use with your morning coffee because it will be such a small amount. However, it might mount up if you drink coffee every morning.
We have such a strong belief in xylitol because of this. Xylitol genuinely provides dental and medical advantages when consumed at the recommended dosage (5 grams per day). And even while you may not get all the advantages if you don’t ingest 5 grams per day, there are no side effects to be concerned about. You can use a xylitol sweetener wherever that you would typically use sugar. This includes the coffee or tea you drink in the morning, baking, and even everyday cooking. You shouldn’t put xylitol on crème brûlée topping since it does not melt and “hard crack,” but it is really the only restriction.
We advise speaking with your doctor about xylitol and what might be the best choice for you when it comes to sugar substitutes. In addition, educate them on xylitol if necessary by reading more on our website.
