I never knew this before, but artificial sweeteners can be poisonous to your dog.

An article in the Monterey Herald states:

However, the December 2006 issue of the journal Veterinary Medicine cited the potentially toxic effects of the sweetener xylitol. The article was written by Eric Dunayer, staff veterinarian for the ASPCA Animal Control Center in Urbana, Ill. His informative article served as an educational tool for practicing veterinarians and the dog-owning public as well.

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in many products, including sugar-free gum, chewable vitamins, oral care products and baked goods.

While xylitol consumption is considered safe in people, dogs can develop serious, even life-threatening signs from its ingestion. Ironically, the symptoms brought on by xylitol do not mimic hyperglycemia (such as in diabetes), but rather the opposite effects (hypoglycemia).

…

The sensitivity of xylitol in dogs has been documented by the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center database from 2003-06. Eight cases have illustrated that very small amounts (less than 0.1 gram per kilogram of body weight) can cause symptoms in dogs.

Furthermore, it has been shown that serum glucose concentrations can dip in as soon as one to two hours after ingestion. Therefore, if symptoms of weakness and lack of energy are seen in your dog after sweet goodies are eaten, seek veterinary assistance.

(Sorry, the article is no longer online.)

The article goes on to say that liver damage can occur, so the vet will have to check the dog’s liver as well as getting the blood sugar levels back to normal.

To be safe, don’t give any artificially sweetened foods to your dog, and if he eats some accidentally, be sure to call your vet.

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