Xylitol is a sugar substitute that’s safe for humans but highly toxic to dogs. Even tiny amounts can cause hypoglycemia or liver failure. Here’s what every pet owner needs to know to keep their dog safe.
Is xylitol toxic to dogs?
Yes — xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. It can cause a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar and may lead to liver failure if not treated immediately. If you think your dog has eaten anything containing xylitol, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline right away.
What is xylitol?
Xylitol is a common sugar substitute found in many human foods, oral care products, and medications. It’s a naturally occurring sugar alcohol present in trace amounts in various fruits and vegetables. Xylitol is produced from certain trees or from a plant fiber called xylan. It tastes about as sweet as regular sugar but has roughly half the calories per serving. Store-bought xylitol is a white, crystalline powder that can be used as a one-to-one substitute for sugar in recipes.
How do I know if a product contains xylitol?
Xylitol is sold under many different names. It’s used as a sweetener in sugar-free candy, gum, baked goods, mints, cough syrup, chewable vitamins, some nut butters, ice cream, and oral care products like toothpaste and mouthwash. The only way to be sure whether a product contains xylitol is to carefully read the ingredient label.
Other names of xylitol include:
- Birch sugar
- Birch bark extract
- Wood sugar
- Sucre de bouleau
- E967 (European food additive code)
- Meso-Xylitol
- Xlitol
- Xylite
- Xylo-pentane-1,2,3,4,5
Why is xylitol toxic to dogs (and not to humans)?
The key difference between humans and dogs is how their bodies process xylitol. In humans, xylitol has a very low glycemic index (GI), a measure of how quickly food raises blood sugar levels. Xylitol consequently provides a slow, steady source of energy without the spike-and-crash effect of regular sugar.
In dogs, the opposite is the case. Research by Dunayer, published in Veterinary Medicine, has shown that xylitol is absorbed extremely quickly, triggering the pancreas to release a sudden surge of insulin. This rapid insulin release can cause blood sugar levels to crash (a condition called hypoglycemia) within 15 to 60 minutes.
If left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause weakness, disorientation, tremors, seizures, and even death. In addition to dangerously low blood sugar, xylitol can also cause severe liver damage in dogs. Case reports have shown that even moderate doses may lead to irreversible liver injury.
What is the toxic dose of xylitol?
The amount of xylitol that can harm dogs is surprisingly small. Toxicity depends on how much was eaten relative to the dog’s body weight.
- As little as 0.030 grams (0.00106 ounces) per pound of body weight can cause hypoglycemia in dogs.
- Dogs are at risk of liver failure at 0.22 grams (0.0078 ounces) per pound of body weight.
For example, a single stick of sugar-free gum (containing between 0.3 and 1.0 grams of xylitol) can poison a 10-pound dog. Toxic doses can also vary between individual dogs. A senior dog with pre-existing liver disease may be significantly affected by a dose lower than 0.030 grams per pound.
“Just one piece of sugar-free gum containing xylitol can put a 10-pound dog’s life at risk.”
Dr. Amanda McKee, DVM
Diagnosis and signs of xylitol toxicity
Unfortunately, there is no direct test that veterinarians can order to confirm xylitol poisoning after ingestion. Instead, a presumptive diagnosis is made based on a dog’s history, suspected ingestion, and blood glucose and liver function tests. It is always safer to hospitalize and monitor a pet rather than wait to see if clinical signs appear.
Recognizing the signs of xylitol toxicity is critical. Symptoms may appear within minutes but can also be delayed for several hours.
Common signs of xylitol poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Sudden weakness or staggering
- Tremors or seizures
- Collapse or unconsciousness
- Pale gums
- In later stages, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) indicating liver failure
Treatment of xylitol poisoning in dogs
Treatment of xylitol poisoning always requires veterinary evaluation. Depending on the situation, a veterinarian’s plan may include:
- Inducing vomiting (if ingestion was very recent)
- IV fluids and glucose to stabilize blood sugar, with frequent blood glucose testing
- Liver protectants and careful monitoring of liver enzymes
- Hospitalization for 24–72 hours, depending on severity
- Supportive care
The survival of dogs with xylitol poisoning depends on how quickly treatment begins. Dogs treated early for hypoglycemia often recover completely, while dogs that develop liver failure have a significantly lower survival rate.
What to do if you suspect your dog has ingested xylitol?
This is where the post gets personal. Xylitol poisoning has occurred in my own pet family. My daughter’s service dog, a golden retriever with an appetite for destruction, ate half a bottle of gummy vitamins. We were careful — we knew better — and yet it still happened.
I immediately called poison control as we headed to the emergency veterinarian. We arrived at the hospital with a case number, an estimate of how much toxin was ingested, and a treatment plan. Armed with this information, the emergency vets were able to begin treatment right away. They didn’t have to spend time calculating the xylitol concentration in a gummy or estimating the amount she had eaten.
Pet poison helplines
If you suspect your dog has ingested a product containing xylitol, every minute counts. Call your veterinarian, the Pet Poison Helpline, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). Head directly to a veterinary clinic and let your veterinarian know you are on your way. Make sure to have the packaging or label available so they can accurately assess the toxic exposure and create a treatment plan. Immediate veterinary care gives your dog the best chance of survival. Do not induce vomiting without consulting a veterinarian.
“If you think your dog has ingested any product containing xylitol, grab the container or wrapper and call your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately — every minute counts!”
Dr. Amanda McKee, DVM
Xylitol poisoning in dogs is on the rise
Eating too much sugar has been linked to a range of serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and tooth decay. For humans, sugar-free sweeteners like xylitol are an appealing and increasingly common alternative. Unfortunately, this popularity is creating dangers for our pets.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) and Pet Poison Helpline have reported a sharp increase in xylitol cases. A 2014 APCC review documented over 3,700 cases of xylitol ingestion between 2007 and 2014, with the majority linked to sugar-free gum. Each year, thousands of calls are logged, indicating that reported cases are on the rise. Between 2019 and 2024, xylitol ranked third among the most reported toxicities to the Pet Poison Helpline, behind chocolate and grapes/raisins.
Products containing xylitol
Many sugar-free products contain xylitol, including sugar-free candy, gum, baked goods, mints, cough syrups, chewable vitamins, certain nut butters, ice cream, and oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Xylitol is also sold in bulk at many grocery stores and online retailers for use in cooking and baking.
The amount of xylitol can vary widely — not only between different products but even between flavors made by the same brand. For example, most flavors of Orbit gum contain about 0.009 grams of xylitol per piece, while the strawberry mint flavor contains over 0.3 grams.
Peanut butter
In my twenty-five years of practicing veterinary medicine, I’ve met very few dogs who wouldn’t do backflips for peanut butter. Just like us, dogs love sugar, salt, and fat — and peanut butter combines all three in one creamy, irresistible mix. In the animal behavior world, peanut butter is considered a high-value treat, meaning most dogs will do just about anything to get it. This makes it an extremely popular reward during training or as an occasional treat.
Today, most mainstream peanut butters sold in the U.S. no longer contain xylitol. However, some specialty and artisan brands — including Nuts ’N More (see label below) and P28 High Protein Spreads — still use xylitol as a sweetener. To be safe, always read the label before giving your dog peanut butter, and make sure it does not contain xylitol.
Peanut butter containing xylitol (Source: Nuts ’N More toffee crunch)
Everyday products containing xylitol
Xylitol can show up in a surprising number of everyday items. Below are some of the most common sources:
- Sugar-free gum and mints
- Peanut butter and other nut butters
- Diabetic-friendly foods and dietary supplements
- Sugar-free baked goods and desserts
- Protein bars
- Chocolate or pralines (especially dangerous, as chocolate itself is toxic to dogs)
- Toothpaste and mouthwash
- Human medications (such as chewable vitamins, cough syrup, and allergy medicine)
- Over-the-counter supplements
- THC and CBD products (both toxic to dogs)
Preventive Vet maintains a database of more than 700 products containing xylitol, which you can access here. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list — new products are released regularly, so always read ingredient labels carefully.
How to protect your dog from accidental xylitol poisoning
Accidental exposure to xylitol can happen in seconds — but by staying alert to where xylitol might be hiding and taking proactive steps at home, you can greatly reduce your dog’s risk of poisoning.
What you can do today to protect your dog
The best defense is prevention. Every pet owner should take the following steps:
- Store gum, candy, toothpaste, and medications well out of reach. Don’t forget purses, briefcases, backpacks, or gym bags — anywhere a curious dog might find a pack of gum or mints.
- Check labels on peanut butter, baked goods, and supplements.
- Educate family members and visitors about the risks of xylitol.
- Never give your dog “human food” without checking the ingredients first.
- Never use human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth.
- Save your veterinarian’s phone number, the Pet Poison Helpline, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in your phone contacts — remember, minutes matter.
- Know your pet’s current weight. This information is critical for veterinarians when assessing toxicity.
Support legislative action: The Paws Off Act of 2025
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) supports efforts to require clear labeling of xylitol in consumer products. The proposed Paws Off Act of 2025 would require companies to disclose the presence and amount of xylitol in their products, helping pet owners better protect their dogs.
Until such labeling laws are in place, vigilance remains the best defense against accidental poisoning. Unfortunately, similar bills introduced in 2021 and 2023 did not advance. Please consider reaching out to your legislators to voice your support for this important bill.
Conclusion
Xylitol poisoning is one of the most preventable yet life-threatening hazards for dogs. Even small amounts of this sugar substitute can cause hypoglycemia or liver failure. As the use of xylitol becomes more common, pet owners must stay vigilant, watch for hidden sources, recognize early signs of toxicity, and act quickly in an emergency.
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