{"id":1296,"date":"2019-03-20T11:30:16","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T18:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rocklinranchvet.com\/blog\/?p=1296"},"modified":"2019-03-20T11:30:16","modified_gmt":"2019-03-20T18:30:16","slug":"not-so-sweet-xylitol-poisoning-in-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rocklinranchvet.com\/blog\/not-so-sweet-xylitol-poisoning-in-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Not So Sweet: Xylitol Poisoning in Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When you think of pet toxins<\/a>, items like antifreeze and chocolate probably come to mind. Those things are definitely high on the list of \u201cno-no\u2019s\u201d when it comes to your pet, but one of the most dangerous pet toxins can be found in your pantry, fridge, or medicine cabinet without you even realizing it.
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Xylitol, a popular sugar substitute, is found in everything from cough drops to peanut butter to toothpaste, and it doesn\u2019t take much to severely affect or even kill a pet. Keep reading to find out more about xylitol poisoning and what you can do to prevent it.
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Xylitol 101<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Xylitol is an alternative sweetener commonly used as a sugar substitute. This sugar-alcohol is naturally occurring in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms, but is commonly extracted from corn fiber, birch trees, or hardwood trees. This wildly popular ingredient has a low glycemic index, making it ideal for diabetics or those following a low-sugar diet.
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Unlike with humans, pets are unable to effectively process xylitol. The substance is absorbed rapidly (as quickly as 30 minutes) and triggers the pancreas to release a large amount of insulin all at once. The results of this insulin rush are a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and the potential for kidney failure.
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Products that may contain xylitol include:
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