If your dog ate something containing xylitol, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away and be ready to head to a clinic. Use the xylitol calculator to estimate the dose while you call.
Enter weight and amount to get an urgency level and next steps.
What to do right now
- Move your dog away from the source and pick up anything left over.
- Find the packaging, label, or plant so you know exactly what was eaten and how much.
- Note your dog's weight and the time it happened.
- Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center. Do this even if your pet seems normal.
- Do not make your pet vomit unless a professional tells you to.
- Follow the advice you are given, and bring the packaging to the clinic.
Why xylitol is dangerous
In dogs, xylitol triggers a large release of insulin, which makes blood sugar drop sharply. This is called hypoglycemia, and it can cause weakness, seizures, and collapse.
At higher doses, xylitol can also damage the liver, sometimes leading to liver failure. Veterinary sources associate doses above about 100 mg per kg of body weight with low blood sugar and doses above about 500 mg/kg with liver injury. Products vary a lot: one piece of gum may contain a fraction of a gram, while a spoonful of a xylitol baking substitute is almost pure xylitol.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting
- Weakness or lethargy
- Stumbling or loss of coordination
- Trembling or seizures
- Collapse
- Later, yellow gums or eyes if the liver is affected
Timeline: when signs appear
Low blood sugar can begin as quickly as 30 minutes after a dog eats xylitol, although some gums release it more slowly and signs can be delayed for several hours. Liver changes may show up on bloodwork within 4 to 12 hours, and signs of liver injury can appear 24 to 48 hours after a large dose.
Go straight to an emergency vet if
- Your dog is already weak, wobbly, vomiting, trembling, or collapsed, these can be signs of dangerously low blood sugar
- It has been more than 30-60 minutes since ingestion, since hypoglycemia can develop very quickly
- The product was a peanut butter, baked good, or pure xylitol source, which tend to carry higher doses per serving
- A poison control consultation or your vet has told you to bring the dog in
What the vet will do
The vet will check blood sugar right away and may induce vomiting if your dog is still alert and the ingestion was recent. Dogs with low blood sugar are usually given sugar (dextrose) through an IV and monitored closely.
Liver values are often checked at the start and repeated over the next day or two. Most dogs treated quickly recover well, especially when liver injury is prevented.
How to prevent it
- Keep gum, mints, and sugar-free candy out of purses, pockets, and backpacks.
- Read peanut butter labels before giving it to your dog, and look for xylitol or birch sugar.
- Store toothpaste, vitamins, and medicines out of reach.
- Tell guests to keep bags off the floor.
For a room-by-room list you can print, see the pet poison-proofing checklist.
Halloween tip: candy bowls and trick-or-treat bags are a top cause of pet poisoning calls. See My dog ate Halloween candy: what to do.
Enter weight and amount to get an urgency level and next steps.
Frequently asked questions
How much xylitol is toxic to a dog?
Veterinary sources associate doses above about 100 mg per kg with dangerous low blood sugar and above about 500 mg per kg with liver injury. For a small dog, that can be just a few pieces of gum.
Which peanut butters contain xylitol?
Only some brands, usually labeled sugar-free or reduced sugar. Check the ingredient list for xylitol or birch sugar.
My dog ate gum an hour ago and seems fine. Is it safe?
Not necessarily. Some gums release xylitol slowly, and liver injury can develop later. Call your vet or a poison control center now.
Is xylitol dangerous for cats?
Cats seem less affected, but the evidence is limited. Call poison control if your cat eats a xylitol product.