Is xylitol dangerous for dogs and cats?
A sweetener in gum, “sugar-free” sweets, some peanut butters and toothpastes: in dogs it makes blood sugar drop and can damage the liver. The FDA says it seems less dangerous for cats.
DogDangerous
CatCaution
Call your vet right away, even if your pet seems fine.Signs can show up hours or days later. This page helps you on the phone: it doesn’t replace the vet.
What the sources say
- Xylitol is a sweetener found in gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste (ASPCA), and in some peanut and nut butters (FDA). Check the label.
- It can make blood sugar drop (hypoglycemia) and, depending on the amount, damage the liver.
- The first signs are vomiting, tiredness and loss of coordination, and they can progress to seizures. Liver damage can appear within 12–24 hours and can also cause abnormal bleeding.
- For cats, the FDA writes that xylitol doesn’t seem to be as dangerous. Keep it away from them anyway, and if your cat ate some, call your vet.
Who to call: the numbers Search something else
What to do now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet now, even if your pet seems fine: signs can take hours or days to show.
- Move your pet away from what it ate and take away what's left. If some is still in its mouth, offer a toy so it lets go.
- If the substance is on its fur or skin, wash it off with a mild shampoo and water, then rinse well and dry.
- Keep the packaging, the label or a piece of the plant, or take a photo, and bring it with you.
- Tell the vet what your pet swallowed, roughly how much and when.
What not to do
- Don't make it vomit unless the vet tells you to.
- Don't use salt water: it's extremely dangerous.
- Don't try to treat your pet yourself or give it medicines: some medicines for people and other animals are poisonous to pets.
- Don't wait for signs to appear.
Sources
- ASPCA, “People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets” (checked on October 9, 2026)
- U.S. FDA, “Paws Off Xylitol; It’s Dangerous for Dogs” (checked on October 9, 2026)
- PDSA, “First aid for poisons and toxins” (checked on October 9, 2026)
- RSPCA, “Poisoning in dogs” (checked on October 9, 2026)
- RSPCA, “Poisoning in cats” (checked on October 9, 2026)