Why is xylitol bad for dogs

In both people and dogs, the level of blood sugar is controlled by the release of insulin from the pancreas. In people, xylitol does not stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas. This rapid release of insulin may result in a rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar hypoglycemia , an effect that can occur within 10 to 60 minutes of eating the xylitol. Untreated, this hypoglycemia can quickly be life-threatening, Hartogensis says.

A note to cat and ferret owners: Xylitol does not seem to be as dangerous for cats and other pets. Cats appear to be spared, at least in part, by their disdain for sweets. Ferret owners, however, should be careful, as ferrets have been known to develop low blood sugar and seizures, like dogs, after eating products containing xylitol.

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As if you needed another reason to keep your furry friend away from chocolate, it can also contain hidden artificial sweeteners like xylitol.

This silent killer is the most frequently reported source of xylitol toxicity in dogs. It would take a large amount of sugar to properly sweeten a drink the size of an average shake, so using an artificial sweetener helps manufacturers and customers avoid extra calories.

Always read the label before you buy! Keep an eye out for that, birch sugar, and xylitol. This one might be more of a surprise to pet parents, but many flavored gelatin products are chock-full of artificial sweeteners, including xylitol. You might feel better about indulging in this diet dessert, but your dog certainly will not.

Instead, treat your pup to some Frosty Paws , a doggie ice cream formulated by Purina, a trusted canine food brand with top safety standards. While ice cream may be a more obvious suspect, its cousins yogurt and Greek yogurt can be hiding xylitol as well. In dogs, it increases the release of insulin and causes a decrease in the blood sugar levels. They do not like it and have discriminating appetites.

The first symptom of xylitol toxicity is likely to be vomiting. Liver damage happens within 12 to 24 hours when elevated liver enzymes can be detected with lab work. High xylitol doses can cause major necrosis of the liver which is considered a medical condition that can result in death.

Xylitol can drop blood sugar levels down to levels that are not compatible with life in 30 to 90 minutes! According to the Pet Poison Helpline , the dose needed to cause poisoning is at least 0. Gums and breath mints typically contain 0.

This means that a pound dog could eat one piece of gum and it could be toxic! If you have caught your dog in the middle of eating something containing xylitol and KNOW that it just happened, call us immediately. You may be instructed to be induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide. If you do not know when it happened and have just come home to some type of evidence that it has your dog has possibly eaten xylitol, get help ASAP!!!