Your dog ate gum, leaving you tensed about what to do next. Gum can damage your dog’s intestine, but the problem doesn’t stop here. The chemical compound present in the gum can even harm your dog’s entire gut system. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used to sweeten gum and is the main ingredient that is poisonous to dog’s health.
Dogs’ gut health is entirely different from that of humans, so it is challenging for the digestive system to ingest gum. Recently, the pet poison hotline has confirmed cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs.
Read on to find out what xylitol is, how it can impact your dog’s intestinal health, and steps to take necessary precautions instantly.
What is Artificial Sweetener (Xylitol)?
- Xylitol is a low-calorie sugar sweetener.
- Research shows it can prevent ear infections and improve dental health and antioxidant properties.
- It is a sugar alcohol, a carbohydrate that does not contain alcohol.
- This sugar is present in minimal quantities in different vegetables and fruits.
- Xylitol is present in gums and toothpaste and even in baking products.
- Some people use this as a substitute for table sugar as it is low in calories.
What happens when Dog Eat Gum with Xylitol?
Dogs are reported to have a very toxic reaction after consuming gum with xylitol. It gets absorbed into your pup’s stream and requires half an hour to show poisoning symptoms. It can cause deficient sugar levels due to massive insulin release in the body. The symptoms begin after consumption are:
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Coma
- Loss of consciousness
- Lethargy
- Liver or intestinal damage
- Stumbling
If your dog has consumed gum with xylitol or any other toxic substance, then instantly visit your vet to avoid any poisonous reaction.
Precautionary Steps To Take If Your Dog Ate Gum
You can take the following preventive measures to save your dog from infection by poisonous xylitol.
Check The Ingredients Before Buying
- If your dog has consumed gum, instantly check out the ingredient list on the gum packaging.
- If you don’t find xylitol in the ingredients, then there’s no harm to your pup’s health. If it contains xylitol, instantly take your dog to the vet.
- Symptoms of xylitol will appear within 30 to 60 minutes after consumption. Don’t wait for symptoms; instead, instantly take them to the vet.
Rush to the Nearest Vet Hospital
- Take your pup to the nearest vet instantly so their gut can be washed immediately.
- Other decontamination procedures include intravenous fluids, including glucose or dextrose. Dogs are also given liver-protectant medications.
- If your dog has taken a considerable amount of gummies, then make your dog vomit because it may completely block his intestines.
What should you do when your dog’s intestines are entirely blocked?
- Dogs usually ingest gummies when owners keep them on the table without packing them thoroughly.
- So if your dog finds it unwrapped, they will instantly ingest the gummies, leading to intestinal problems.
- If your dog cannot eat and drink after eating gummies, watch out for the signs of dehydration and vomiting.
- Consult your vet if he sees a complete blockage in the intestine, and then your dog might need surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens if The Dog Has Only Taken One Gum?
Gum is very difficult to digest for every living being, especially pets. So, if swallowed, it must come out of your digestive system. However, eating a lot of gummies can be alarming to a dog’s health and can completely block the intestinal area.
How much chewing gum can be toxic to dogs?
Every piece of chewing gum contains 0.2201.0 grams of xylitol. It requires 0.05 grams of xylitol per pound of weight to cause poisoning in dogs. It means a single gum can harm a dog by having 10 pounds of weight.
What chewing gum brands can be harmful to dogs?
Many famous gum brands, including Trident, Orbit, and Ice Breaker, contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to your pup’s health. Some candies also contain the toxic component xylitol, which can be poisonous to dogs’ gut health.
