Can a dog get sick from eating xylitol?

Read more here. As xylitol is being used in an increasingly wide range and number of products, more and more dogs are getting sick from eating this “all natural” sugar substitute. Xylitol is poisonous to dogs — well over 6,000 cases each year!

What foods can you eat with xylitol in them?

“Foods and other edibles” includes such xylitol-containing products as candies, gums, mints, chocolates, peanut and nut butters, raw xylitol, desserts, yogurt, jams, syrups, condiments, sauces, water and drink powders, power and protein bars and powders, and any other foods.

Is the sugar in gummy bears bad for You?

The sugar in gummy bears can also contribute to blood sugar issues, obesity, heart disease, and pancreatitis. The worst thing about gummy bears is that some brands and varieties contain xylitol.

What kind of sweetener is xylitol used for?

Xylitol is an industrial sweetener that is used as a substitute for sugar in many products and foods today. It is meant for human consumption and it’s particularly appreciated by people who don’t want to give up on something sweet during a diet.

Is it OK to eat gum with xylitol in it?

If a gum is labeled as sugar-free, that should be a warning sign for xylitol, though various gums can have vastly different amounts of xylitol. “One or two pieces of certain gums can cause serious problems, while ingesting ten pieces of another gum can be fine for your dog,” Brutlag says. “It all depends on the xylitol dosage.”

What happens to your body when you eat xylitol?

It also feeds the friendly bacteria in your gut. In humans, xylitol is absorbed slowly and has no measurable effect on insulin production. However, the same cannot be said for dogs. When dogs eat xylitol, their bodies mistake it for glucose and start producing large amounts of insulin. ). ).

Is it dangerous for a dog to eat xylitol?

Another common substance that’s harmless to most humans but potentially life-threatening if consumed by dogs is xylitol —a sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute in many human foods. But for dogs, xylitol poisoning is a major problem, according to Ahna Brutlag, DVM, associate director of veterinary services at Pet Poison Helpline.

Why do people take xylitol instead of sugar?

It has a chemical structure that looks like a cross between a sugar and an alcohol, but it is neither. Why do people take xylitol? Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener added to some foods. It’s nearly as sweet as sugar (sucrose), but has fewer calories. People with diabetes sometimes use xylitol as a sugar substitute.