There is no safe level for dogs!
Keep your dog safe from xylitol. Check food labels for xylitol.
Our Dog Nearly Died from Sugar-Free Gum
Our dog nearly died after ingesting sugar-free gum containing xylitol — a common sweetener that is extremely toxic to dogs. What happened to our family can happen to anyone, and most pet owners still don’t know the danger. We’re raising funds to spread xylitol awareness, protect dogs, and advocate for the Paws Off Act so no other family has to live this nightmare.
What Happened
Our energetic, goofy chocolate lab ingested about 50 pieces of xylitol-sweetened gum and suffered a severe hypoglycemic crash within an hour. After two days in the ICU and more than $10,000 in emergency veterinary care, he survived.
Why Timing Saved His Life
With xylitol, time is everything. Early intervention can mean the difference between life and death — treatment within minutes to hours can prevent severe hypoglycemia, liver failure, and death.
Because we knew our dog had eaten the gum, and because our quick-thinking son recognized the danger after seeing a warning poster at the emergency vet hospital, our veterinarian was able to respond rapidly as our dog’s condition declined.
Why This Hit Our Family So Hard
Nearly losing him was devastating for our family — especially our two children. At a time when their mother is battling cancer, our dog has been a vital source of comfort, stability, and emotional support.
How Little Xylitol It Takes
Xylitol is dangerous at shockingly small doses. As little as 0.1 grams per kilogram of body weight can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia in dogs, and higher doses can lead to liver failure.
For example, a 20-pound dog can be poisoned by just one or two pieces of sugar-free gum.
A Growing, Preventable Problem
Reported cases of xylitol poisoning are rising sharply. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center recorded about 200 cases in 2004, more than 3,700 by 2015, and over 6,700 cases in 2018 — a dramatic increase as xylitol appears in more everyday products.
The Labeling Gap That Endangers Dogs
Despite this growing danger, there are no federal or state requirements for warning labels on products containing xylitol.
The gum our dog ate — Pür — contains 1 gram of xylitol per piece, yet the warning appears only on the company’s website in a FAQ. Warnings that aren’t on packaging don’t protect dogs.
What Is the Paws Off Act?
The Paws Off Act is a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress that would require clear warning labels on products containing xylitol to help prevent accidental, life-threatening poisonings in dogs.
How Your Support Makes a Difference
With your support, we will:
- Build pawsoff.dog, a public education website with trusted xylitol safety information and legislative updates
- Create and distribute educational materials for dog owners and dog-serving organizations
- Advocate for retailer action, including petitions urging stores like Whole Foods to require xylitol warning labels from vendors
- Help build grassroots momentum to push Congress to pass the Paws Off Act
This Was Preventable — And It Doesn’t Have to Happen Again
This tragedy was preventable. Together, we can protect dogs, inform families, and make sure warning labels save lives before it’s too late.