Got a Peanut Butter-Loving Dog? Read This!
One of the most popular options to occupy a dog’s time (and mind) while home alone is to offer him a Kong or another dog chew toy slathered with peanut butter. Pet Safety Dog Kona loves, loves, loves this tasty treat.
However, in this age of Keto diets – and with the rise of people diagnosed with diabetes, more popular human foods and products are being offered in sugar-free forms. Specifically, these foods contain xylitol. This safe sweetener for people is finding its way into an ever-expanding array of foods and health products. Xylitol can be found in sugar-free yogurts, chewing gum, mints, toothpastes, mouthwashes, cough drops, sugar-free desserts, peanut butter, jams, jellies and even some human medications.
Chew Toys Stuffed with Tasty Treats Are Great Dog Distractions
Make sure you stuff them with treats that do not include xylitol.
However, xylitol is toxic to dogs. When a dog eats peanut butter containing xylitol, for example, his blood sugar levels plummet and damage to the liver begins immediately. The xylitol causes a dog to vomit, have trouble walking, lose muscle control and worse. Some dogs can experience seizures, liver failure and even death.
Read Peanut Butter Jar Labels
In all my Pet First Aid 4U classes, I educate my students to really pay attention to the ingredients listed on peanut butter jars and be on the lookout for xylitol.
Fortunately, more pet parents and pet professionals recognize that xylitol is bad for dogs but may not realize that it is showing up in sugar-free peanut butter. Making matters worse, some product manufacturers simply do not include xylitol in the list of ingredients. Instead, they label this dangerous artificial sweetener something that sounds natural and safe but it not -- birch sugar.
Birch sugar IS xylitol. Period.
Xylitol More Dangerous Than Theobromine
In fact, veterinarians report that the side effects from a dog ingesting something containing xylitol is 100 times more severe than eating dark chocolate that contains another canine threat: theobromine.
Sadly, xylitol poisoning calls to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center continue to escalate. In 2005, just 201 xylitol-related calls were documented, but in 2024, that number exceeded 70,000.
If your dog ingests something containing xylitol, act quickly. Call ahead and head to the nearest veterinary clinic. Veterinarians suggest you can try rubbing corn syrup or maple syrup to your dog’s gums to temporarily raise blood sugar levels enroute to the vet clinic. You can also contact the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline for advice at 888 426-4435. This hotline is staffed 24-7 by board-certified veterinary toxicologists. Remember, every minute counts.
Final Tip
Be your pet’s best health ally by enrolling in one of our Pet First Aid 4U classes. We are the only pet safety company to offer three ways for you to learn and earn veterinarian-approved two-year certificates in pet first aid/CPR. Your options:
· In-person classes primarily aimed at pet professionals.
· Interactive via ZOOM classes are offered once a month and on demand.
· Self-paced online for those who prefer to learn anytime, anywhere on their own schedule.
Pick your option and sign up today!
About the Author:
Arden Moore, founder of Pet First Aid 4 U, is a Master Pet First Aid/CPR Instructor who teaches veterinarian-approved, hands-on safety courses alongside her teaching team of Kona (dog) and Casey (cat). Known as “The Pet First Aid & Safety Coach,” Arden is also a nationally recognized behavior consultant, bestselling author of over 25 pet books, and the award-winning host of the “Oh Behave!” podcast. A Fear Free Certified Professional, she brings decades of pet expertise to all her endeavors — with a mission to help pets live safer, longer and healthier lives.
