Xylitol: This artificial sweetener has toxicity for dogs and can even be fatal

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning dog owners about xylitol (E967) poisoning, a sweetener found in many common products and foods, including chewing gum and sugar-free candy. In recent years, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has documented numerous cases of dogs poisoned by xylitol, primarily due to the ingestion of chewing gum.   But chewing gum isn’t the only product that contains xylitol. This sugar substitute, extracted from birch bark, has a refreshing effect and contains 40% fewer calories than sugar. With the same sweetness and a taste similar to that of regular sugar, it is widely used by the food industry, particularly in treats such as candies or mints, chocolate bars, certain fats used in baking, and dental hygiene products such as mouthwashes and toothpastes for human use, as well as in cough syrups, chewable vitamins, and more. However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more than 3,700 dogs were reportedly poisoned after ingesting this sweetener in 2014. In its warning, the FDA notes that xylitol does not cause toxicity in humans, primarily because it does not stimulate insulin secretion by the pancreas. In dogs, however, ingesting this artificial sweetener—which is absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream than in humans—can trigger a sharp release of insulin. Even a small amount of xylitol (0.1 g/kg) is enough to cause a drop in a dog’s blood glucose levels, leading to hypoglycemia, which occurs between 10 and 60 minutes after ingestion. Furthermore, at doses of 0.5 g/kg or higher, xylitol can cause acute liver necrosis. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, followed by signs associated with hypoglycemia: decreased activity, muscle weakness, a wobbly gait, lack of coordination, seizures, and even collapse. The FDA recommends seeking immediate veterinary care. Without treatment, the toxicity of xylitol can quickly prove fatal in dogs. In some cases, hypoglycemia or other clinical signs may not appear until 12 to 24 hours after ingestion, requiring the animal to be placed under observation and on an IV drip. More generally, FDA veterinarians advise keeping products containing xylitol out of dogs’ reach, including non-food items such as toothpaste. In cats, the toxicity of xylitol has not been demonstrated or documented. Cats appear to be spared, likely due to their limited appetite—or even their disdain—for treats. * Xylitol and your dog: danger, paws off, May 2016, http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM500628.pdf