Pet Safety: Deadly Xylitol in Household Items

Xylitol is a controversial organic chemical that is used as a sweetener in a variety of human foods. For humans, xylitol can be an alternative sweetener but to our furry companions - it is deadly.​

​XYLITOL EFFECTS
When a dog consumes xylitol, it causes their body to react by dropping blood sugar levels to dangerous level. It causes hypoglycemia and your dog will be at risk for liver failure. Xylitol toxicity is common and without treatment and depending on the dose it could be fatal. Toxicity starts in 15 minutes and within 24 hours without treatment, causes death. Although cats are not as interested in eating some of the items that contain xylitol, it is also just as toxic to them!

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reports that since they started tracking calls in 2007, the number of cases has more than doubled to over 3,727 for xylitol poisoning in dogs. Although numbers are likely much higher in terms of poisoning cases.

WHAT PRODUCTS HAVE XYLITOL
Dogs like getting into things and humans enjoy giving their pets special treats, like human food, but be wary of anything containing xylitol. It may be in more items than you realize.

GUM & CANDY
Gum very commonly has xylitol and it's nice minty smell attracts dogs.  Just one stick of gum containing xylitol can be fatal to a small dog. Is a $1.00 pack of gum or candy worth spending thousand in vet bills and risking the life of your pet? Keep the gum out of the house and out of your purse. A good place if you must have one of the brands listed, is your car compartment or at your work place. (if there are no pets at work!) Otherwise, don't buy it!! Sugar free chocolate or candy may be using xylitol as an alternative sweetner, check the ingrediants. 

Common Brands with Xylitol
Spry, Epic, Trident, XyliChew, Peelu Zylitol, Xyloburst, Zylimax, B-Fresh, Ricochet, Ice Breaker, Zellies, Orbitz - Look at the ingredients before purchasing! 

PEANUT BUTTER
Although most mainstream peanut butters do not use xylitol there are some products using it and likely it will be on the rise as it becomes more popular. Even without xylitol, most human peanut butter contains too much sugar, salt, or hydrogenated oils and really isn’t the most healthy option for your dog. Dogs love it, so instead, purchase peanut butter made for dogs such as Dogsbutter or how about making your own? Almond butter is an even better alternative than peanut butter, make your own!

Common Brands with Xylitol
Go Nuts, Hank’s Protein Plus, Krusch Nutrition, Nuts N More, P28​

BAKED GOODS
Many people use xylitol for baking and recipes. If you use xylitol in your house for health reasons, use with the up most caution and find alternatives asap! If your having a pot luck or dinner and people are brining items, make sure no one is using xylitol or find out if any of the food dishes contain it.

Many people despite, telling them not to, may try to give your dog or cat table food or food may fall.  Someone’s good intentions to give your dog or cat a treat could be deadly! Tell guests that you know may use it, to not bring the food item to your house or use another sweetener for the recipe.

DENTAL PRODUCTS
Some dental products contain xylitol. Minty can be very attractive to a dog, not to much to a cat but it can happen, and dogs may even like chewing on the packaging if they get a hold of it.

Common Brands with Xylitol
Crest White Strips – All Types, Epic Toothpaste, Toms of Maine, Xlear Inc Spry Rinse

​MEDICATION
A variety of oral medications, vitamins and nose sprays have xylitol. You may not even realize that  your medication contains it. If you have compounded medications, speak to your pharmacy to find out.

Common Brands with Xylitol
Beano Liquid Drops, Flintstone Multivitamin, Probiotica, Colostrum, Jarrow DentaShield, Zegrid,

There are many medications, see the full list of all consumer items containing xylit

​BOTTON LINE
Check products that are “sugar free” to make sure xylitol is not in the product. If you are not sure, it’s better to be safe than sorry. For medication, check with your pharmacist to see if it listed in your prescription. Don’t let a simple inexpensive product be the source of expensive medical bills or death to your dog or cat! Make sure everyone in the house is aware of products, especially the gums that contain xylitol, to avoid any accidents.