Like many folks, you may have also recently received an email about a dachshund named Chloe who got very ill after eating a few sticks of chewing gum. The gum contained Xylitol, a natural sweetener used in sugar-free gum and candy, which caused the dog to become very sick. While the story of this particular dog can’t be validated, the claim that that Xylitol can be toxic to dogs is definitely true. The story itself was likely created to add a human (or canine) element and drive home the message to dog owners.
It’s been known for a few years that Xylitol can be harmful to dogs. An October 2006 American Veterinary Medical Association Press Release confirms that Xylitol can be highly dangerous to dogs and people need to be aware of the the dangers of this sweetener to their canine friends.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in candy and chewing gum. It’s an all-natural sweetener derived from beets, birch tree bark, corncobs and other natural sources. It looks and tastes like sugar but with 40% fewer calories so it’s used in many sugar-free and diabetic products. You will likely see Xylitol on the ingredient list in many of your favourite sugar-free snacks such as Jello sugar-free puddings and sugar-free gums and mints including Trident, Orbit, Stride, Icebreakers and Altoids.
Liz Bradley is a dog lover who lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband,