A lesser-known ingredient found in sugar-free chewing gum and several other items like sweets can be potentially fatal for dogs if they consume it, a vet has warned.
The ingredient, xylitol, is an artificial sweetener which is added to multiple products including toothpaste, mouthwash, vitamin supplements, some peanut butter brands and other ‘low sugar’ or sugar-free products.
Parents need to be extra careful after Halloween that their dog won’t be able to get hold of anything containing the it as their children bring home sweets from Trick or Treating.
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Caroline Reay, head of veterinary services at animal welfare charity Blue Cross, said: “Xylitol is a common sugar substitute that can be toxic to dogs in even small amounts.
“It can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) as a dog’s pancreas will confuse it with real sugar, which makes it release more insulin.
“The insulin then removes the real sugar in the body, leading to plummeting blood sugar levels.
“Another reaction to xylitol is liver failure and this is even more serious, but it’s not known what causes this to happen.”
The alarming reactions dogs can have to this ingredient means it’s really important owners are careful about what their dog has access to.
Dr. Reay said: “Prevention is key; all human food should be kept out of the reach of dogs, but be particularly vigilant around products containing xylitol.
“Ensure no packs of chewing gum are left lying around the home or kept in pockets and handbags that your pet can raid.”
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A lot of pet owners like to put peanut butter on licky mats for their dogs, as the mats are meant to help calm anxious dogs or stimulate them when they're bored.
Pet parents need to make sure that the peanut butter they are using to do this is from a dog-friendly brand that doesn’t use xylitol in its products.
If your dog has managed to sniff out and consume something containing the sweetener, it’s important you get them treated as soon as you can.
Dr. Reay said: “If you suspect that your dog has eaten something containing xylitol, you need to get them to the vets straight away as it can be absorbed into the bloodstream rapidly.
“If a drop in blood sugar levels is prevented or brought under control quickly, the prognosis is good.
“Delays in veterinary intervention can cause further complications, irreversible damage and increase the likelihood of xylitol poisoning becoming fatal.
“Ensure that, wherever possible, you take the packaging of the product that your dog has consumed to the vets.”
Ingredient found in chewing gum and peanut butter can be fatal to dogs - Nottinghamshire Live
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