For dogs · Free tool

Dog xylitol toxicity calculator

Xylitol — the sweetener in sugar-free gum, mints, and some peanut butters — is highly toxic to dogs even in tiny amounts. It causes a rapid, dangerous drop in blood sugar, and at higher doses, liver failure. Because a single piece of some gums can poison a small dog, treat any real ingestion as a reason to call your vet or a pet poison line right away — this estimate is only a guide.

Xylitol per piece varies enormously by brand and flavor — from a few mg to over 1,000 mg. This uses a conservative middle estimate; if you know the brand, pick it below.

pieces

Estimate for triage only, based on dose thresholds from the Merck Veterinary Manual and Pet Poison Helpline. The biggest unknown is how much xylitol is actually in the product — per-piece content varies enormously by brand and flavor — so a low estimate never means "safe." When in doubt, call.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual — Xylitol Toxicosis in Dogs; Schmid & Hovda, Acute Hepatic Failure in a Dog after Xylitol Ingestion (J Med Toxicol) (2016); Pet Poison Helpline — Xylitol Is Toxic To Dogs

Common questions

How much xylitol is toxic to dogs?

Blood-sugar effects begin around 100 mg/kg of body weight — about 0.045 grams per pound — and liver injury becomes a risk above roughly 500 mg/kg. Because some sugar-free gums contain close to a gram of xylitol per piece, a single piece can exceed the dangerous dose for a small dog. Cats are not affected by xylitol; this is a dog-specific poison.

My dog ate sugar-free gum — what should I do?

Act quickly. Note your dog's weight, the brand and flavor of gum, and how many pieces are missing, then call your veterinarian or a pet poison line right away — the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Don't wait for symptoms: a blood-sugar crash can begin within 30 minutes, and early treatment matters.

How quickly does xylitol affect dogs?

Low blood sugar can appear within 30 minutes of eating xylitol, though it can be delayed up to 12–18 hours when the xylitol is in slow-release gum. Signs include vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, tremors, and — in severe cases — collapse or seizures. Liver damage from higher doses may not show for 24–48 hours.

Is xylitol dangerous in peanut butter?

Yes — some "sugar-free" or "no sugar added" peanut butters contain xylitol, which is why you should always check the label before giving peanut butter to a dog or using it to hide a pill. If your dog ate a xylitol-sweetened peanut butter, treat it the same as gum and call your vet or a poison line.

More pet safety tools

Dog chocolate toxicity calculatorEstimate the risk from what your dog ate by weight, chocolate type, and amount.Dog grape & raisin toxicityGrapes, raisins, currants, and sultanas — there's no safe amount for a dog. What to do now.Dog ibuprofen (Advil) toxicity calculatorAdvil, Motrin, and generic ibuprofen. Estimate the risk by your dog's weight and how many they ate.

These tools estimate risk — they don't replace your veterinarian and can't examine your pet. For anything worrying, or when in doubt, get a free triage assessment or call your vet.