Can Dogs Eat Xylitol?
No. Xylitol is one of the most dangerous toxins for dogs: it causes a sudden drop in blood sugar within minutes and, at higher doses, liver failure. It can be listed as “birch sugar” or, on European labels, E967.
Why it's dangerous
In people, xylitol barely affects insulin, but in dogs it triggers a massive, rapid release of insulin. Blood sugar drops within 10-60 minutes (sometimes later with gum), and weakness, wobbling, seizures and collapse follow. Hypoglycemia is seen from about 0.1 g of xylitol per kg of body weight, and above about 0.5 g/kg it can cause acute liver failure within the next 24-72 hours.
The hard part is knowing where it is. It hides in sugar-free gum and mints, “reduced sugar” or “sugar-free” peanut butters, human toothpaste and mouthwash, “sugar-free” baked goods and ice cream, diabetic jams and chocolates, gummies, some syrups and chewable vitamins, and xylitol sweetener packets. On the label it can appear as xylitol, “birch sugar” or E967. A piece of gum can contain 0.2 to 1 g or more, so for a 10 kg (22 lb) dog one or a few pieces can be enough to cause hypoglycemia.
Is any amount safe?
None. It's toxic in very small amounts: 0.1 g per kg can already drop blood sugar, which for a 5 kg (11 lb) dog is half a gram, sometimes a single piece of gum. There's no safe use of xylitol products in dogs.
Risks
- Severe hypoglycemia within minutes
- Acute liver failure at higher doses
- Hidden in “sugar-free”, “reduced sugar”, “keto” or diabetic products
- Human toothpaste, mouthwash and chewable vitamins
- Purses, jackets and nightstands within a dog's reach
Frequently asked questions
How much xylitol is fatal to a dog?
Hypoglycemia is seen from about 0.1 g per kg of body weight, and there's a risk of liver failure above about 0.5 g/kg. For a 10 kg (22 lb) dog, 1 g of xylitol can already be dangerous, and that can be in one or a few pieces of gum. Because the amount varies a lot between products, treat any ingestion as an emergency.
Which products contain xylitol?
Mainly sugar-free gum and candy, some peanut butters, human toothpaste and mouthwash, sugar-free or diabetic baked goods, ice cream and chocolate, gummies, chewable vitamins and some syrups. On the label, look for xylitol, birch sugar or, on European products, E967.
What should I do if my dog ate sugar-free gum?
Check the wrapper for xylitol or birch sugar. If it's there, or you can't check, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right now with your dog's weight, how many pieces and the time, and head to the clinic. Don't make your dog vomit at home: if their blood sugar is already dropping, it can make things worse.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.