As I write this, Easter is right around the corner, and with that typically comes Candy. And with sugar free candies and foods becoming more and more prevalent these days, it’s crucial to make sure your dog doesn’t come in contact with Xylitol. And spread the word to unsuspecting dog owners you may know!
And Xylitol isn’t just found in candy!
There is a laundry list of 700 products in the link you will find below, everything from Dental and Nasal products, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and rinses, medications, vitamins, supplements, oils, honey, xylitol and sweeteners, cookies, desserts, mixes, ice cream , yogurt, jams, syrups, condiments, sauces, water, drink powders, protein bars and powders, cosmetics, hair care, body and face care.
There are a handful of brands that use Xylitol in their peanut butter, and there are a LOT of dog owners who love to stuff Kongs with Peanut butter. Some brands have taken the initiative to remove Xylitol from their peanut butter but as of April 2023 here is a short list of the Brands that still have Xylitol in their peanut/nut butter spreads: P28 peanut spreads , Nuts ‘n more brand, No cow, Krush Nutrition
-Did you know that Xylitol is DEADLY to dogs but not harmful for humans?
-Did you know that Xylitol can also go by the names of : Birch Sugar, E967, Meso-Xylitol, Méso-Xylitol, Sucre de Bouleau, Xilitol, Xylit, Xylite, Xylo-pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol
-Did you know that just ONE piece of gum containing Xylitol could be enough to kill a small dog?
Now imagine a dog getting into an entire bag or multiple pieces of candy containing Xylitol/birchsugar ….. it only takes .05g of xylitol per pound of the dog’s body weight to be deadly. With more and more human foods offering sugar free options, xylitol can be found in more than 700 common products. And I say products because it’s not just limited to be being found in foods, it’s also used in some very unlilkely products like lip balms, and moisturizers. And we all know, dogs will eat the darndest things sometimes so this is important information to know if you have a dog.
But why is Xylitol not harmful for humans but so deadly for dogs?
Xylitol does not stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas in humans. However, when dogs eat xylitol, the xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas. Which creates a state of hypoglycemia and can also cause complete liver failure. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, followed by symptoms associated with the sudden lowering of your dog’s blood sugar, such as decreased activity, weakness, staggering, incoordination, collapse and seizures. symptoms can take as long as 8 hours to show up.
Be prepared: Post the phone number to the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) as well as the number and address for your local emergency veterinarian in a place where all household members can see it. This is a good idea for all pet-related emergencies. That way, if your dog eats xylitol or another toxic substance, you’ll save precious minutes getting him or her treatment immediately. It’s also a good idea to know how to get to your nearest Emergency vet! Speaking from experience I had a terrible emergency with one of my cats, halfway to my E-vet my phone died which means my GPS map I was following was gone, and I wasted valuable time figuring out the rest of the way to get to the clinic! This is one of the prices we pay for relying so much on technology. It’s great when it works, but sometimes it fails us in the most inopportune times possible.
Is there an antidote for xylitol poisoning?
“No. There is no antidote for xylitol poisoning, although treatment with intravenous dextrose (glucose) supplementation and liver protective drugs are beneficial.”
How is xylitol poisoning treated?
“Fast and aggressive treatment by your veterinarian is essential to effectively reverse any toxic effects and prevent the development of severe problems.
If your dog has just eaten xylitol but has not yet developed any clinical signs, your veterinarian may induce vomiting to prevent further absorption depending on what your dog’s blood glucose level is. If clinical signs have developed, treatment will be based on the signs that are being shown. Since xylitol can cause both low blood glucose and low potassium levels, your veterinarian will perform blood work to determine whether these problems need to be treated. In all cases, your dog will require hospitalization for blood glucose monitoring, dextrose administration, intravenous fluids, liver protectants, and any other supportive care that may be needed. Blood work should be monitored frequently to make sure that blood glucose and liver function remain normal.” -source VCA animal hosptials- follow the link below for one of the most comprehensive lists I’ve seen to date, over 700 products that contain Xylitol. It can be found in the most unsuspecting things , like toothpaste for example. It’s not just used in candy and food folks! It is used in items that you would never suspect!
General rule of thumb, don’t leave anything accessible for you dog to get into, Even the most well-behaved dogs can act out of character and get into things they shouldn’t. So why take the chance. Don’t leave things out for your dog to get into.
And make sure any guests are aware to not feed your dog people food! But this link below will give you an idea of just how many items Xylitol can be found in!
****Interested in Ketogenic diets for your dog? For More information on the personalized Ketogenic Meal Plan program and how to get your dog **properly **started on these diets, please click on the image below! ***
KetoPoweredK9.com 