The Dangers of Sugar-Free Gum to Pets

Xylitol, a sweetener found in sugarfree gum, can be extremely dangerous to dogs. It can cause illness and death. Symptoms can show themselves in 30 minutes, so it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as you suspect your dog has ingested xylitol. There hasn't been much research yet to determine xylitol's effects on other common pets.

  1. Low Blood Pressure

    • Xylitol can cause low blood pressure in dogs. If the blood pressure drops too low in a dog it can cause the dog to have a seizure, which can lead to death.

    Liver Failure

    • Xylitol sweetener can cause liver failure within 24 hours of ingestion. Only a small amount needs to be ingested to cause liver failure.

    Awareness Among Vets

    • A large number of people are still unaware of the risk of xylitol to dogs which in some cases can prove deadly. Veterinarians have now started to spread the word of this sweetener, by setting up a range of forums and publishing a number of announcements to promote awareness.

    Continuing Research

    • Ongoing research is taking place to understand the effect this xylitol sweetener has on other pets including cats but presently the outcome of this research is not yet clear. If there is a suspicion that a dog has eaten sugar free gum it is advisable to take the pet to the doctors immediately as there is much more of a chance of the dog surviving.