How much xylitol is toxic to dogs?
- About 0.1 g/kg (100 mg/kg): dangerous hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is likely.
- Above 0.5 g/kg (500 mg/kg): risk of acute liver failure.
These thresholds come from the Merck Veterinary Manual. Because product labels often do not state how much xylitol they contain, the calculator lets you choose a worst-case estimate for gum (1 g per piece). Pet Poison Helpline reports xylitol content between about 0.22 and 1 g per piece of gum.
Xylitol toxic dose chart by weight
| Dog weight | Low blood sugar (0.1 g/kg) | Liver failure risk (0.5 g/kg) | Gum pieces at 1 g each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb | 0.23 g | 1.1 g | 0.2 piece → low sugar |
| 10 lb | 0.45 g | 2.3 g | 0.5 piece → low sugar |
| 20 lb | 0.91 g | 4.5 g | 0.9 piece → low sugar |
| 30 lb | 1.36 g | 6.8 g | 1.4 pieces → low sugar |
| 50 lb | 2.27 g | 11.3 g | 2.3 pieces → low sugar |
| 70 lb | 3.18 g | 15.9 g | 3.2 pieces → low sugar |
| 90 lb | 4.08 g | 20.4 g | 4.1 pieces → low sugar |
For a 10 lb dog, less than half a piece of high-xylitol gum can be enough to cause low blood sugar.
Products that can contain xylitol
- Sugar-free gum and mints
- Sugar-free candy, chocolate and baked goods
- Some peanut butters and nut butters (check for "xylitol" or "birch sugar")
- Toothpaste and mouthwash
- Chewable vitamins, gummies and some liquid medicines and nasal sprays
- Granulated "birch sugar" sweeteners for baking
Symptoms of xylitol poisoning
Signs can start within 10-60 minutes, or be delayed up to 12 hours with some gums: vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, lethargy, trembling, collapse and seizures. Liver damage can develop over 24-72 hours, with vomiting, yellow gums and bleeding.
What to do
- Find the package and check the ingredients for xylitol (or birch sugar) and how much was eaten.
- Call your vet or poison control immediately, or drive to an emergency vet. Treatment is most effective before signs start.
- Do not induce vomiting at home unless told to. If your dog is weak or wobbly, vomiting is dangerous.
- Your vet will check blood sugar, may induce vomiting, give IV dextrose and monitor liver values for 2-3 days.
Also see: Can dogs eat peanut butter? · My dog ate gum
Frequently asked questions
How much xylitol will kill a dog?
Doses above 0.5 g/kg can cause liver failure, which can be fatal. Even 0.1 g/kg can cause life-threatening low blood sugar, so any known xylitol ingestion is an emergency.
How many pieces of gum are toxic to a dog?
It depends on the brand. With high-xylitol gum (about 1 g per piece), a 10 lb dog can be poisoned by half a piece, and a 50 lb dog by about two pieces.
How long after eating xylitol will a dog show symptoms?
Often within 10-60 minutes, but signs can be delayed up to 12 hours with some gum products.
Is xylitol toxic to cats?
Cats appear much less sensitive to xylitol than dogs, but sugar-free products are still not safe treats. Call your vet if your cat ate a large amount.