Free pet poison triage tool
Xylitol Toxicity Calculator for Dogs
Xylitol doses around 100 mg/kg (about 45 mg per lb) have caused dangerously low blood sugar in dogs, and over 500 mg/kg liver failure; one piece of sugar-free gum can be enough for a small dog. If your dog ate any xylitol, call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away.
Informational triage only, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. This calculator never tells you an amount is safe. Always contact a veterinarian. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
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Quick examples
Urgency check
Call your vet or a pet poison hotline now
Any amount of xylitol should be treated as a potential danger. Enter your dog's weight and what they ate to estimate the dose.
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Informational triage only, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. Always contact a veterinarian.
Xylitol poisoning symptom timeline
- 10-30 minutes
Low blood sugar can start within 10-30 minutes: vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, then tremors, collapse, or seizures.
- 4-12 hours
Liver enzymes can start rising on bloodwork before any outward signs, which is why vets recheck liver values.
- Up to 12-18 hours
With gum and other slow-release products, low blood sugar can be delayed by several hours, sometimes 12-18 hours.
- 24-72 hours
Signs of liver injury may not appear until 24-48 hours or later: yellow gums or eyes, black tarry stool, bruising, or bleeding.
Why xylitol is dangerous for dogs
What xylitol is
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener. It is often sold as "birch sugar" and is safe for people, but dogs react to it very differently.
Why dogs react
In dogs, xylitol triggers a fast, large release of insulin, which can drop blood sugar dangerously within minutes. At higher doses it can also injure the liver, sometimes leading to liver failure days later.
Chewed gum still counts
Chewed gum, gum from a pocket or bag, and gum wrappers with pieces left in them can all still contain xylitol. Count the missing pieces and treat them as unchewed.
Smaller dogs are at greater risk
Toxicity depends on dose per kilogram of body weight, so the same piece of gum is far more dangerous for a 10 lb dog than a 70 lb dog. Product content also varies widely.
Where xylitol hides
Products that may contain xylitol
- Sugar-free gum and breath mints
- Sugar-free candy, chocolate, and cough drops
- Some peanut and nut butters (specialty and protein brands)
- Sugar-free, keto, or diabetic baked goods and pudding
- Chewable vitamins, gummies, and supplements
- Toothpaste, mouthwash, and some nasal sprays
- Some medications, including some liquid gabapentin formulations
- Granulated xylitol or "birch sugar" sweetener
How to read a label
- Search the ingredient list for "xylitol" or "birch sugar".
- Under Nutrition Facts, "Sugar alcohols" may include xylitol; some labels list xylitol grams separately.
- Amounts are per serving, so note the serving size (for example 2 tbsp or 2 pieces) and divide to get grams per piece.
- Brand amounts are rarely published and recipes change, so check the package your dog actually got into and take it to the vet.
What to do if your dog ate xylitol or sugar-free gum
- Step 1
Remove any gum or product still in your dog's mouth if it is safe to do so, and keep the package.
- Step 2
Note your dog's weight, what they ate, how many pieces or how much, and when.
- Step 3
Call your vet, an emergency vet, or a pet poison hotline right away, even if your dog seems fine.
- Step 4
Do not induce vomiting at home unless a vet tells you to, and never use salt.
- Step 5
Take the copied or printed summary to the vet; expect blood sugar checks every 1-2 hours for at least 12 hours and liver bloodwork for at least 72 hours.
Find your nearest emergency vet now, before you need directions: search "24-hour emergency vet near me" or check your regular vet's after-hours message, and save the number in your phone.
Xylitol and dogs FAQ
How much xylitol is toxic to dogs?
Doses above about 100 mg/kg (45 mg per lb) have caused dangerously low blood sugar, and doses above 500 mg/kg (227 mg per lb) liver failure in some dogs. Any amount of xylitol should be treated as a potential danger, so call a vet or pet poison hotline right away.
How many pieces of gum can kill a dog?
There is no safe number. Gum commonly contains about 0.22-1.0 g of xylitol per piece, so a single piece can reach the 100 mg/kg low blood sugar level in a 10 lb dog, and a few pieces can reach the liver failure range in a small dog. Treat any amount as an emergency risk.
How long after eating xylitol will a dog show symptoms?
Low blood sugar can start within 10-30 minutes, but with gum it can be delayed up to 12-18 hours. Signs of liver injury may not appear until 24-48 hours or later, so a dog that seems fine still needs to be seen.
What should I do if my dog ate sugar-free gum?
Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away and head to a vet, even if your dog seems fine. Remove any gum still in the mouth if safe, bring the package, and do not induce vomiting at home unless a vet tells you to; never use salt.
Which peanut butters contain xylitol, and how do I check?
Most peanut butter has no xylitol, but some specialty and protein brands do, and recipes change. Read the ingredient list for "xylitol" or "birch sugar" and check Nutrition Facts for sugar alcohols before giving any to your dog.
Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual, Xylitol Toxicosis in Dogs and Pet Poison Helpline, Xylitol.
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