This Shocking Ingredient in One of Your Dog’s Favorite Foods Could Kill Your Dog

Your dog is mad for it, lick for lick, and loads of dog treats contain it. What is it? Ding ding ding: peanut butter! You love it, your dog loves it—what’s not to love? According to recent reports, a little ingredient called xylitol. Read on for the lowdown on this seemingly innocuous component and the potentially deadly threats it poses.

Nuts for Peanuts

Whether it’s right off the spoon or in frozen cubes, there’s no denying our furry buddies are all about the nutty stuff. PB is a great source of protein, as well as vitamins B and E. When jammed deep into a Kong toy, dogs will stop at nothing to get at that beloved flavor—which is great for when we’re trying to keep Fido occupied for an hour or two.

The Controversy

Xylitol is added to things like gum and is a safe alternative to sugar for diabetics and people looking to avoid visits to the dentist. So what’s the problem? Even in small quantities, xylitol can be lethal to dogs. More and more brands are jumping on the xylitol sweetening train. Ironically, health food stores are one of the first spots you’ll find xylitol touting peanut butter, so while it might seem logical to conclude that since it’s”healthy” for humans, it’s okay for dogs; this certainly isn’t the case. Because there is a trend toward being more health conscious these days, xylitol is becoming increasingly popular in grocery stores, necessitating a sharper eye on the label.

Why Is It Bad For Dogs?

Dr. Langlois, medical director of Pet Pantry in Lancaster, says that “both liver damage as well as dangerous drops in a dog’s blood sugar level” occur when a dog consumes xylitol. He notes three peanut butter brands in particular that include xylitol in their process: Nuts ‘n More, P28, and Nutty By Nature.

The ASCPA shared their peer reviewed findings on xylitol consumption in canines, which can be viewed here. The takeaway? Treatment should be immediately sought in any instance in which a dog may have consumed >0.1/kg of xylitol. Basically, even a trace amount of xylitol consumption in dogs merits an immediate visit to the vet.

Knowledge Is Power

Always read the ingredients of the jar before you treat your faithful buddy. Alternative names xylitol might go by include:

  • Birch Sugar, E967
  • Meso-Xylitol
  •  Méso-Xylitol
  • Sucre de Bouleau
  • Xilitol
  • Xylit
  • Xylite
  • Xylo-pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol

Signs of toxicity include loss of motor control, tremors, and sometimes even seizures if a large amount was consumed. It’s scary stuff, but easily preventable. For a 100% safe way to get your dog his fix, try peanut-butter free treats, or consider a PB alternative like Dogsbutter.

The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional veterinary help.


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