PSA: Keep Your Dog Away From Sugar-Free Chewing Gum
We’ve already mentioned dangerous foods for your pets , but some seemingly harmless foods are more dangerous than others. A growing number of cases of canine disease have been attributed to the use of xylitol, an ingredient commonly found in sugar-free gum.
A dog chewing on an abandoned pack of chewing gum or finding a chewed bite on the sidewalk may seem like a minor nuisance, but it can actually cause severe illness. A recent Wall Street Journal report explains that accidental dog poisoning is growing at an alarming rate; all because of foods and candies with the artificial sweetener xylitol . According to veterinary toxicologist Dr. Ana Brutlag, she went from 300 calls a year about sweeteners in 2009 to about 2,800 calls this year alone.
For dogs, xylitol is actually about 100 times more toxic than milk chocolate, despite being completely harmless to us, and can lower your puppy’s blood sugar and cause seizures, brain damage, and liver failure. It can be found in chewing gum, peppermint, gummy vitamins, peanut butter, and even toothpaste. Try to keep your dog away from anything that contains xylitol, but don’t worry if it manages to get caught in something that contains xylitol. Most dogs do just fine if they are quickly taken to the veterinarian.
Chewing Gum Sweetener Cause Spike in Accidental Dog Poisoning | The Wall Street Journal via Consumerist