Pet owner's are being warned that xylitol, a sweetener found in some sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and other products can cause serious, possibly life-threatening, problems for dogs. Trident gum, sold in North America was reformulated to include xylitol in 2004. Virtually all chewing gum sold in Europe is sweetened with xylitol. It is also found in some sugar-free candy.

Xylitol, also called wood sugar or birch sugar, is used as a sugar substitute. It can be extracted from birch, raspberries, plums, and corn and is primarily produced in China. Dogs ingesting large amounts of xylitol may experience a sudden drop in blood sugar according to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer reporting in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Illness from ingesting xylitol can develop very quickly. If you think your dog has eaten xylitol and is showing symptoms such as poor coordination, depression, or seizures, seek veterinarian attention immediately.

In counterpoint, Xlear, Inc, a manufacturer of xylitol, believes the reports reflect extreme cases of dogs ingesting very large amounts of xylitol. Xlear cites studies by their organization, the World Health Organization, and the International Programme on Chemical Safety which found no toxicity issues for dogs ingesting xylitol.

Xylitol Article

Posted by Paula.