Xylitol Bad!

Original article by S. Veigel 01/03/2016

Reviewed for relevance 07/23/2020

Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Xylitol has many benefits. It does not create decay causing acids in saliva, it can increase the production of saliva and it acts against harmful bacteria. But a naturally occurring substance is not the same as that “produced from a natural substance”.

The sweetening food additive known as “Xylitol” is often produced from Birch wood using a process known as “Hydrogenation”. Hydrogenation is a process where by an organic substance is treated with hydrogen using a catalyst such as nickle. Regardless of how it is produced the commercial form of Xylitol is a concentrated processed extraction of the naturally occurring Xylitol.

Generally people can adjust to small quantities of the Xylitol additive but too much – even just chewing too much “sugar free” gum – can cause digestive issues. In dogs the effects are “100 times more toxic” than chocolate. And, I hope you all know, chocolate can kill your dog.

Read the label! Peanut Butter used to be a great dog treat. I used to recommend yogurt products for dogs on antibiotics. But lately many of these products contain Xylitol and you need to pay attention! Even small amounts of Xylitol will quickly cause your dog ill effects including hypoglycemia, seizures, liver damage and death.

In today’s world don’t assume anything. Keep your sugar free gum out of reach. Buy natural peanut butter and yogurt without artificial sweeteners. If you use a medicine to increase saliva production make sure your dog can’t get to it. Read everything before you give it to your dog.