“Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate, that looks and tastes just like regular table sugar. It is a natural sweetener that can be extracted from any woody fibrous plant material. Commercially it is extracted from renewable resources such as corn cobs, and also from less environmentally sustainable sources such as hardwood. Xylitol also occurs naturally in our bodies – in fact, an average size adult manufactures up to 15 grams of xylitol daily during normal metabolism. Pure xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar.” Extract from www.xylitol.org. Below are some uses for xylitol.
It's evident from the above that xylitol is a useful product for people. Consequently, and as the public desires less sugar, it is being used as an ingredient more and more... leading to greater dangers for the furry members of our families. Project Eddy believes that a ban would be unwarranted; all that's required is education and better labelling.
What harm does xylitol cause an animal?
"Ingestion of any small amounts of the product will cause the rapid release of insulin in dogs and result in hypoglycemia, warns Dr. David W. Reinhard, a consulting veterinarian for VPI Pet Insurance. Hypoglycemia results in vomiting, weakness, and sometimes seizures. In some cases, xylitol poisoning can result in liver failure, Reinhard adds. As little as two or three sticks of xylitol gum could be toxic to a 20-pound dog."
Source http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-health-toxins/Xylitol-Poisoning.aspx
Source http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-health-toxins/Xylitol-Poisoning.aspx
Xylitol Internet References
Disclaimer: Project Eddy cannot verify the accuracy of information contained within these links. This is just a sample because there are hundreds of links out there! We have noticed some contradictory information.
General Links:
http://web.archive.org/web/20071212073850/http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_082106
http://web.archive.org/web/20070102142653/http://www.avma.org/press/releases/061001_xylitol.asp
http://www.bva.co.uk/news/1941.aspx
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp
http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=21365
http://seattletimes.com/html/tailsofseattle/2018658270_veterinary_qa_why_is_xylitol_so_dangerous_for_dogs_and_cats.html
http://www.2ndchance.info/Xylitol.htm
http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-health-toxins/Xylitol-Poisoning.aspx
http://www.vpisuk.co.uk/portal/CommonPoisons/tabid/119/Default.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol
Product Links:
http://www.thepawsitter.com/blog/pet-product-warning-virbac-animal-healths-cet-aquadent/
Links in Other Languages:
http://www.tiergesundheit-aktuell.de/kleintiere/aktuelles-246.php (in German)
General Links:
http://web.archive.org/web/20071212073850/http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_082106
http://web.archive.org/web/20070102142653/http://www.avma.org/press/releases/061001_xylitol.asp
http://www.bva.co.uk/news/1941.aspx
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp
http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=21365
http://seattletimes.com/html/tailsofseattle/2018658270_veterinary_qa_why_is_xylitol_so_dangerous_for_dogs_and_cats.html
http://www.2ndchance.info/Xylitol.htm
http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-health-toxins/Xylitol-Poisoning.aspx
http://www.vpisuk.co.uk/portal/CommonPoisons/tabid/119/Default.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol
Product Links:
http://www.thepawsitter.com/blog/pet-product-warning-virbac-animal-healths-cet-aquadent/
Links in Other Languages:
http://www.tiergesundheit-aktuell.de/kleintiere/aktuelles-246.php (in German)