Had dinner with a veterinarian friend this evening, and she was warning us about the dangers of the artificial sweetner Xylitol being even more dangerous/poisonous to dogs than previously thought.

A client brought her dog in after it had gotten into a visitor's purse containing some gum made with Xylitol. It took only 30 minutes for the substance to reduce the dog's blood sugar enough to go into diabetic seizure.

According to Snopes:
The dog was saved, but it's not yet known whether liver damage was done.

I tried to find a (somewhat) comprehensive list of products that contain Xylitol, but was unable to. Originally used in things like sugar-free gum, candies, breath mints, toothpaste, jellies, desserts, baked goods, and some OTC and prescription medicines, the list of items is growing - just about anything.

The important thing is to check labels carefully, and please keep this stuff away from dogs.

It doesn't seem to be harmful to cats, but mostly what I found were statements like:
It probably warrants further investigation.

Doc

.



Xylitol is poisonous to both cats and dogs. Lots of info on the Internet about it.

Are all the --ol sweeteners toxic too? I am going to search this
today.

Mannitol, sorbitol, etc?

Great question.....let us know what you find in your search.

I'm so careful not to give my cats any "people food" unless it's something I've made myself and know what ingredients are in it. Even then it can be tricky. They're so pushy when I'm eating something they think they want to try but I just have to eat quick or take my goodies into the closet and eat!!
.

.


Here's a great article on things that are toxic to animals:


.

so far:


.


It appears that artificial sweeteners are in pet toothpastes.
And in the common product that Vets use:

.

(sorbitol)

But with the common ingredients in diabetic candies... I can see a dog consuming them far more than a cat.

These two vets say sorbitol is okay.

.


Sorbitol in Purina dog food!

.


I am finding some cat foods have sorbitol in them, now.

.

You guys probably know this but chocolate can poison dogs. Certain kinds of chocolate over other kinds. Dogs eat anything. The dog we had at home when I was young ate everything including chocolate now and then. However, he was a big dog and I'm sure that helped.


.


Not so much for cats as they rarely eat chocolate.

Scary how many pet food companies and pet product companies use ingredients that have been proven harmful to pets.
.
Seems we have to research everything thoroughly before trusting it. Just because a company that is supposed to be "for" pets uses something doesn't necessarily mean it's safe.
.

Like anything else, it may be a matter of amounts & sensitivities. Lots of things meant for human use (consumption or not) contain things that in small quantities may be beneficial, but in large quantities make us sick or even kill us. Alcohol is an example; for years, experts have been telling us that for many/most people, one or two drinks a day is ok - may even have some therapeutic value for some people. A lot of drinks will make us sick, and too much alcohol will poison us and do liver damage. And there are of course some who shouldn't consume any at all.

The articles I read said as much with the Xylitol in products intended for pets - very small amounts (but that's also why I mentioned reading labels). The emphasis wasn't on those products, but on the products intended for humans, who don't have the same sensitivity to Xylitol, that are likely to contain much more.

...And when it comes to "food", dogs don't know when to slow down/quit anyway.

Doc

Again, that would depend on amount. Mannitol is one of those things not approved by the FDA for use in cats & dogs, but commonly used in veterinary medicine, particularly to rid the eyes & brain of excess fluid following trauma. So I would expect large amounts to be dangerous.

.


The sublingual B12 I currently have contains mannitol; another supplement contains mannitol and sorbitol.

We tend to put everything on hold (and the dog in his crate) any time anything in pill form is dropped on the floor anyway. Common sense kicks in.

Doc

More on mannitol:


.


Mannitol is a rescue only intervention IV, and is not so safe.
Benefit vs risk, for cerebral edema, is narrow. But since there is
no other thing to use for this at this time... doctors prepare for the side effects instead.

Mannitol taken orally is not well absorbed in humans, and acts like the laxative sorbitol.

.


This article hints at various quantities that are needed for xylitol to
be effective for the uses it is promoted for in humans.

.

I find this interesting, because Gum, toothpaste etc do not have amounts of xylitol included.