What Is Xylitol Toxicity?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener used in many sugar-free products — chewing gum, some peanut butters, baked goods, vitamins, and oral care products. In dogs, xylitol triggers a massive, life-threatening release of insulin causing severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). At higher doses it also causes acute liver failure. Even small amounts can be fatal. It is not similarly toxic to cats.
Understanding Xylitol Toxicity
Xylitol is present in surprisingly many household products beyond the obvious sugar-free gum. Check the ingredient list on peanut butter (especially brands marketed as 'healthy' or 'natural'), sugar-free baked goods, mouthwash, toothpaste, chewable vitamins, some medications, and even sugar-free nut butters. The dose required to cause hypoglycaemia in dogs is relatively low — approximately 0.1g/kg body weight — making a single piece of many brands of sugar-free gum potentially dangerous to a small dog.
Symptoms of xylitol toxicity appear rapidly — within 15–60 minutes of ingestion. Hypoglycaemia causes: vomiting, weakness, lack of coordination, tremors or seizures, and collapse. Liver failure, which develops at higher doses, may not manifest until 24–72 hours after ingestion with signs of jaundice, vomiting, and bleeding tendency. The rapid onset means there is very little margin for 'watching and waiting.'
If you suspect xylitol ingestion, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately — do not wait for symptoms. If the ingestion was very recent and no symptoms are present, your vet may recommend inducing vomiting. If symptoms are already present, the dog needs emergency intravenous dextrose (glucose) supplementation, liver support treatment, and monitoring. Prognosis depends heavily on the dose and how quickly treatment is started.