My dog ate xylitol – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 6 sources

Based on: US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine, Giftinformationscentralen (Swedish Poison Information Centre), Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Xylitol can cause life-threatening low blood sugar within 10–15 minutes of ingestion.

What to do now

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note what was eaten, how much, and when.
  3. Bring the packaging.
  4. Remove what is left and keep your dog calm.

Don't

  • Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Xylitol poisoning can kill dogs.[1] Enough xylitol can cause life-threatening low blood sugar and acute liver failure.[3] Low blood sugar has been reported in dogs at doses as low as 0.03 g/kg.[4][6] The lowest dose associated with liver failure in dogs reported by the ASPCA APCC is 0.5 g/kg.[4][5]

Signs to watch for

  • Vomiting
  • Decreased activity
  • Weakness or collapse
  • Difficulty walking or standing
  • Shaking or seizures
  • Coma
  • Liver failure
  • Bleeding problems

Xylitol poisoning can start within 10–15 minutes and may be delayed up to 12 hours after ingestion.

Where it is found

  • sugar-free desserts
  • sugar-free candy and mints
  • sugar-free jams, jellies, and nut butters
  • sugar-free gum
  • mouthwashes, oral rinses, and toothpastes
  • dietary supplements (fiber gummies, sleep aids)

What the experts say

“followed by symptoms associated with the sudden lowering of your dog’s blood sugar (hypoglycemia)”

— US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine [1]

“If enough xylitol is ingested it can cause life-threatening low blood sugar (even within 10-15 minutes of ingestion) and acute liver failure.”

— Pet Poison Helpline [3]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

How much xylitol is dangerous for a dog?

Low blood sugar has been reported at doses as low as 0.03 g/kg, and the lowest reported dose associated with liver failure is 0.5 g/kg.[4][5][6]

Which signs should I watch for?

Watch for signs associated with sudden low blood sugar; xylitol can also cause acute liver failure.[1][3]

What should I do now?

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet, note what was eaten, how much, and when, bring the packaging, remove what is left, and keep your dog calm.

Sources

  1. US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine
  2. Giftinformationscentralen (Swedish Poison Information Centre)
  3. Pet Poison Helpline
  4. Cortinovis & Caloni 2016, Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats, Front Vet Sci
  5. Xylitol toxicosis and serotonin-like syndrome in a dog, Clin Case Rep 2019
  6. Stuporous state in a dog after xylitol gum, Clin Case Rep 2025

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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