Dog ate sugar-free gum?
Or candy, peanut butter, or anything sweetened with xylitol. Get the dose and the risk in 30 seconds, then call us at (310) 776-5544.
Check the xylitol dose
For dogs. Use your best guess of the most they could have eaten.
How this works
We estimate the xylitol
Each product has a per-piece or per-spoon amount from labels or published figures. When brands don’t say, we use the high end of the range and tell you so. You always see the number we used.
We divide by weight
Toxic doses are measured in grams of xylitol per kilogram of dog. That’s why one piece of gum barely registers for a Great Dane but can be dangerous for a Chihuahua.
We compare with known doses
About 0.075 to 0.1 g/kg can crash blood sugar, and about 0.5 g/kg is linked to liver failure. Below that, a call is still the right move: labels vary, and dogs often eat more than we think.
Toxic doses, timing and signs from the Merck Veterinary Manual (xylitol toxicosis in dogs, reviewed 2024), Dunayer 2006 (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center), Murphy & Coleman 2012 (Veterinary Clinics of North America) and the FDA. Product amounts from Pet Poison Helpline and maker labels, checked October 2026. Where amounts aren’t published, we assume the worst case.
Where xylitol hides
On labels, look for any of these:
- Sugar-free gum and mints, the most common culprit. Purses, backpacks and car cupholders are classic sources.
- Sugar-free candy, lollipops and chocolate.
- Some peanut and nut butters, often the high-protein or keto kinds. Check before using one for pills or toys.
- Xylitol sweetener for baking and coffee, plus sugar-free baked goods, puddings, ice cream, protein bars and powders.
- Toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss and dry-mouth sprays. Brush your dog’s teeth only with toothpaste made for pets.
- Chewable and gummy vitamins, supplements, and some liquid medicines and nasal sprays made for people.
- Nicotine gum and lozenges. These also contain nicotine, which is its own emergency.
What about cats?
Xylitol poisoning is mainly a dog problem. Cats seem far less sensitive, but there’s very little research, so its effect on them isn’t well established.
If your cat ate something with xylitol, call us at (310) 776-5544 and we’ll talk it through. This calculator is built for dogs only.
Worried about something else your pet ate? Our Pet Poison Guide covers foods, plants and household products, and the Chocolate Toxicity Calculator works like this one.
Xylitol questions
My dog seems fine. Do I still need to call?
Yes. Low blood sugar usually starts within 30 to 60 minutes, but some gums delay it 12 hours or more, and liver damage may not show for 1 to 3 days. Treatment works best before signs start, so call (310) 776-5544 now while there’s still time to act.
Should I make my dog throw up at home?
No. Home methods like salt or hydrogen peroxide can cause their own injuries, and vomiting isn’t safe once a dog is weak or wobbly. If it’s early enough to help, we’ll induce vomiting safely in the clinic.
How much xylitol is toxic to a dog?
Blood sugar can crash from about 0.075 to 0.1 g per kg of body weight, and liver failure is linked to about 0.5 g per kg. For a 20 lb dog, that’s under 1 g for low blood sugar (a single piece of some gums) and about 4.5 g for liver risk.
Is birch sugar the same as xylitol?
Yes. Xylitol is also sold as birch sugar or wood sugar, and some labels only list “sugar alcohols”. Check anything sugar-free, keto, low-sugar or made for dental health.
What will the vet do?
We’ll check your dog and their blood sugar right away. If it’s early and safe, we’ll induce vomiting. Dogs that ate a risky amount stay for blood sugar checks every 1 to 2 hours and get sugar through an IV if they need it. Larger doses also need liver tests over the next 2 to 3 days. Activated charcoal doesn’t bind xylitol well, so it usually isn’t used.