Is Xylitol toxic to dogs?
Also known as: sugar-free gum / sugar-free candy / birch sugar
🚑 What to do right after ingestion
Check the ingredient list and keep the packaging. If the dog can still walk and ingestion was moments ago, go for induced vomiting immediately; if weakness or seizures have started, go straight to the ER.
Toxicity notes
Triggers a massive insulin release causing abrupt hypoglycemia in dogs; larger doses cause acute liver failure. A single piece of sugar-free gum can drop a small dog's blood sugar. Cats are rarely affected.
Poisoning symptoms
- • Vomiting
- • Weakness, can't stand
- • Tremors
- • Seizures
- • Coma (hypoglycemia)
Symptoms can be delayed (e.g. onion/garlic-induced hemolysis may take days) — a pet looking fine right now is no reason to relax.
FAQ
How much causes poisoning?
Triggers a massive insulin release causing abrupt hypoglycemia in dogs; larger doses cause acute liver failure. A single piece of sugar-free gum can drop a small dog's blood sugar. Cats are rarely affected.
Can I make my pet vomit at home?
Home-induced vomiting is not advised: corrosive cleaners, sharp bones or existing neurological signs make it dangerous, and improper technique risks aspiration pneumonia. Vomiting should be induced by a vet with proper drugs at the right moment — most effective within 1-2 hours. So “head to the clinic as soon as you know” beats “try to induce vomiting first”.
Even without symptoms, use the symptom checker to review what to watch for
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