galtxGALT eNews: Peanut Butter with Xylitol Can Kill Dogs - Please Read and Share!
Xylitol is a natural alcohol found in most plants, including fruits and vegetables. For years, it has been widely used as a
sugar substitute, mostly in sugar-free chewing gum. It is also widely used in
toothpaste, mints, floss, candy, chewable vitamins, and sugar-free baked goods.
Now, certain brands of peanut butter have started adding xylitol. That’s a
problem because many of us love to give our dogs peanut butter and, according to
VCA Hospitals, “Xylitol is extremely
toxic to dogs.“
VCA Hospitals explains that in
dogs (and other non-primates), xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream
stimulating the pancreas to over release insulin. The excess insulin results in
a “rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), an
effect that occurs within 10-60 minutes of eating the xylitol. Untreated, this
hypoglycemia can be life-threatening.”
As little as 50 milligrams of
xylitol per pound of dog can cause serious hypoglycemia. Higher doses can
quickly lead to liver failure. According to VCA Hospitals, as little as 2
pieces of some common brands of gum cause severe hypoglycemia, and 10 pieces can
cause liver failure in a 45 pound dog. The symptoms of xylitol poisoning in
dogs usually start within a half hour of ingestion and include vomiting,
weakness, lack of coordination, depression, lethargy, tremors, seizures and even
coma.
To prevent xylitol poisoning,
make sure you know if you have any products in your house containing xylitol and
keep them out of reach of all your pets. Unfortunately, that means you need to
carefully check the ingredient labels of everything, even your peanut butter.
In particular, Nuts N More brand uses xylitol in several of its
“butter" products. They refer to it as a “natural sweetener (birch
xylitol),“ but it is still xylitol and can kill your dog. Never use
peanut butter containing xylitol to bake dog treats or to persuade your sweet
pup to take meds. Watch out for a xylitol peanut butter pancake syrup and many other
products listed here.
Talk with friends and family who
make dog treats about the dangers of including xylitol sweetened peanut butter,
and make sure you know what is in any home made treat before you feed it to your
hounds. If you’re reasonably handy in the kitchen, you can make your own peanut butter so you know what goes in it. When
you have guests over, please make sure to store coats and purses potentially
containing gum or breath mints behind closed doors.
If you think your pet is
suffering from xylitol poisoning, contact your veterinarian or Pet
Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) immediately. Inducing vomiting can make
hypoglycemia worse, so do not do so unless directed by a veterinarian. If
possible, keep the wrapper of whatever you suspect the dog ate, and take it to
the vet with you immediately.
Please share this information
with everyone. Now that xylitol use has jumped from gum products to peanut
butter, we don’t know what will be next. Read and re-read ingredient labels. A
manufacturer can change its ingredients at any time. If you come across more
brands of peanut butter or other products commonly given to dogs that include
xylitol, please let us know so that we can spread the word.
