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Xylitol (sugar-free gum and sweets) and pets

Xylitol (sugar-free gum and sweets) is toxic for dogs and risky for cats. Triggers a massive insulin release in dogs — hypoglycaemia, seizures, liver failure. Check every "sugar-free" label; keep gum out of reach.

Not veterinary advice. If your pet has eaten something concerning — or shows vomiting, lethargy, tremors or seizures — call your veterinarian or a pet poison line immediately; waiting to see how it goes is the one thing that reliably makes it worse.

The reason

Triggers a massive insulin release in dogs — hypoglycaemia, seizures, liver failure. Check every "sugar-free" label; keep gum out of reach.

If it just happened

Call your veterinarian or a pet poison line immediately — ASPCA Animal Poison Control (US) runs 24/7, and every EU country has its own veterinary emergency service. Have the food, the amount and the pet's weight ready when you call.

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — toxic and non-toxic foods · WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit · checked 2026-09-03

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