Xylitol is a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free chewing gum, toothpaste, mouthwash and some brands of peanut butter. Even in small amounts it can cause hypoglycaemia and liver failure in dogs.
As animal charity The Blue Cross explains: "Xylitol can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) as a dog’s pancreas will confuse it will 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."
They say just one stick of chewing gum can contain enough of the sugar substitute to be fatal to dogs.
Common symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs includes:
- Seizures and tremors
The Blue Cross advises owners to seek urgent veterinary help if they believe their dog may have eaten any products containing xylitol.
"If you get to the vets early enough then your vet may be able to induce vomiting to get the product out of your dog’s system, greatly reducing the chances of any serious damage," they say.
"After this, your dog is likely to be put on a sugar intravenous drip to regulate blood sugar levels and kept under close monitoring for two to three days. If the liver is affected, the condition is far more serious and will normally require specialist life-saving treatment."
According to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, there were 250 reported cases of xylitol poisoning in 2016 – mostly due to chewing gum. At least one dog sadly died.