In the Seattle Times, Dana Brooks, DVM, an internist at Seattle
Veterinary Specialists in Kirkland, Wash., offers up some useful
information about the dangers of xylitol for pets. Often used as
an artificial sweetener in foods, including sugar-free gum,
sugar-free mints, chewable vitamins, tooth paste, and oral-care
products, Xylitol is also available in a granulated form at your
local grocery store for baking and beverage sweeteners. Here’s
some more information from Dr. Books to help keep you up-to-date
on the dangers of xylitol. Why is xylitol so dangerous for dogs
and cats? Xylitol is safe for people, but because of different
metabolisms, it can be fatal for dogs and cats. A simple piece
of cookie could kill an animal if the danger is unknown and not
addressed immediately. Hypoglycemia may compound into liver
toxicity, liver damage, and ultimately liver failure. Sugar-free
chewing gum is the most common cause of dogs that present to the
emergency room. However, the recent introduction of xylitol as a
subs