Dogs don’t need to be sweetened artificially—they’re sweet enough already!
Not only are artificial sweeteners unnecessary for dogs, some of them are actually dangerous. And there’s one in particular that your best friend should never, ever ingest.
The FDA has concluded that anything containing Xylitol, an artificial sweetener also known as a sugar alcohol, can be very harmful to dogs. Xylitol can be found in peanut butter, breath mints, toothpaste, cough syrup, sugar-free desserts, chewable vitamins, makeup, personal lubricants, baked goods, and some essential oil products. Many of the dogs who get hold of it find it in packages of sugarless gum that they fish out of their humans’ handbags.
Why is Xylitol so dangerous to dogs but not to humans? The answer has to do with how the pancreas responds to it. In people, Xylitol doesn’t cause the pancreas to release insulin—and thus it has no effect on human blood sugar levels. But it’s different with dogs. Xylitol can cause the canine pancreas to quickly release a large load of insulin, which causes blood sugar levels to crash within 10 to 60 minutes of ingestion. This can lead to vomiting, weakness, staggering, incoordination, collapse, liver failure, and seizures. It’s a life-threatening situation—so if you think your dog has eaten something with Xylitol, take him or her to the vet immediately.
According to VCA, the largest chain of veterinary care providers in the US, the amount of Xylitol in gum varies widely. With brands that contain only a small amount of the substance, your 45-pound dog would have to eat nine sticks of gum to cause severe hypoglycemia. However, other brands contain significantly more Xylitol, so much that the same 45-pound dog would only have to eat two sticks of gum to develop severe hypoglycemia. For this reason, if your dog does eat something containing Xylitol, it’s very important to know the precise brand of food, gum, toothpaste, or other substance involved.
As to treatment for Xylitol poisoning, VCA states that “your dog will require hospitalization for blood sugar monitoring, dextrose administration, intravenous fluids, liver protectants, and any other supportive care that may be needed. Blood work should be monitored frequently to make sure that blood sugar and liver function remain normal.”
How do you keep your best friend safe? Certainly, you should check the label on any human food you give your dog to make sure it doesn’t contain Xylitol. Many dogs go gaga for peanut butter, but check to be sure the brand you’re using is Xylitol-free. Remember, too, that dogs are notorious for eating things that aren’t exactly food, so keep gu, breath mints, and toothpaste well out of reach of even the most determined canine counter cruiser. And when you brush your dog’s teeth, make sure you use toothpaste designed for dogs, not people.
If your dog has gotten sick from eating something with Xylitol, you can call the Pet Poison Hotline 24/7 at 855-764-7661 or visit them online for information and advice.
After the emergency is over, let the FDA know that your dog was poisoned. This will help the agency develop warnings and regulations that will help keep dogs safe.