What happens if my dog eats gum

If left untreated, an intestinal blockage could be fatal. If the gum is sugar-free but did not contain xylitol sorbitol, aspartame and mannitol are safe for dogs , the only possible complication you may see is the same as above — intestinal blockage.

If your dog has eaten gum containing xylitol, you should call your vet. If the ingestion has occurred within the last half an hour, your vet may recommend you try to induce vomiting at home with a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Only do this under the instruction of your vet. Some dog owners may not feel comfortable doing this or are unable to induce vomiting. In this case, you should rush your dog to the veterinarian before the thirty-minute time window expires.

The sooner your dog receives veterinary treatment, the better his prognosis will be. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs happen quickly — typically within fifteen to thirty minutes after consumption. Signs of this include:. One piece of unchewed gum could contain enough xylitol to be toxic to a dog weighing only ten pounds.

Here's what to do if you think your dog may have eaten gum. It depends on the type of gum your dog ate. If he ate sugar-free gum, there's a definite cause for concern. Sugar-free gum contains xylitol, a sugar replacement used in many sugar-free foods; xylitol in dogs is toxic. If the gum wasn't sugar-free, then there may be less concern, but it's still a good idea to call their veterinarian just in case. You should also monitor your dog to make sure the gum makes its way through their system.

Cummings Veterinary Medical Center says the ingredient can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar. The most serious cases can result in liver failure. According to the FDA , xylitol in dogs can cause the following side effects:. Xylitol isn't just found in gum — it's also used in candy, toothpaste, mouthwash and other sugar-free products.

It can also be found in chewable vitamins, throat drops and throat sprays. To keep your pup safe, keep all food, candy, dental products and medicine out of their reach. An upper kitchen cabinet is a good place to keep these items from even the most inquisitive dogs.

Be sure to keep bags, purses, coats and any other clothing or containers well out of their reach as well. A dog explores with their nose, so any open bag or pocket is an invitation for them to stick their head in and check it out. If you know that your dog has ingested gum with xylitol in it, bring them to their vet or an emergency vet clinic immediately. If you're not certain whether or not your dog ate gum, it's best to err on the side of caution and contact the vet for advice.

You know your dog will eat nearly anything, so it's your responsibility as their pet parent to be vigilant and keep all human foods and other toxic items out of their reach.

Call your vet or the Pet Poison Hotline immediately. Sugar-free gums. Sugar-free candy. Toothpastes opt for a dog-friendly toothpaste instead. Breath sprays. Baked goods especially sugar-free baked goods.

Foods prepared for diabetic people. Certain peanut butters. Protein bars. However, many dogs recover quickly and fully with suitable veterinary care, so as long as you act quick, your pooch should be OK if he does end up chowing down on some sugar-free gum. As little as one-tenth gram of xylitol per kilogram of body weight can cause dangerously low blood sugar. Some sugar-free gums contain more xylitol than this in a single piece.

Mice, for example, can tolerate roughly times as much xylitol relative to their body weight as dogs can. This means that ABC gum is much safer for dogs than fresh-out-of-the-pack stuff. However, even chewed sugar-free gum represents a potential danger that necessitates a call to the vet. If your dog ingested sugarless gum within the last 30 minutes, call your vet.

Your vet may suggest you induce vomiting at home using 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to minimize absorption. Vomiting is induced when dogs have no symptoms. The quantity of hydrogen peroxide to give is based on your dog's weight. If you cannot induce vomiting or don't feel comfortable doing so, see your vet immediately.

Your vet can induce vomiting using other methods or can do a gastric lavage. Activated charcoal has not proven to be effective for xylitol toxicity in dogs. If your dog ingested sugarless gum over 30 minutes ago, report it to your vet immediately even if no symptoms are apparent. Your vet can provide supportive care to lower the chances of complications. The earlier you see the vet, the better the prognosis.

Consider that symptoms may show up later. As a rule of thumb, one piece of unchewed gum with xylitol is a potentially toxic amount for a pound dog. It can be hard to tell how much xylitol a dog has ingested because the xylitol content in sugarless gum may be difficult to determine. This is best done by your vet. Keep the candy wrapper with the ingredient list handy when you call your vet, and bring it along if your vet wants to see your dog.

It can be estimated that the average piece of gum or breath mint may contain anywhere between 0. This means that a pound dog would just need to eat one piece to ingest a potentially toxic dose, explains Ahna Brutlag, a veterinary toxicologist and assistant director of the Pet Poison Helpline. If your dog is bigger than 10 pounds and ate a small amount for his size or the gum was previously chewed most xylitol will have been removed , you may still want to consult with your vet to be safe.

It may be helpful to feed your dog to bring glucose levels up. Give your dog a snack every 2 to 3 hours for the next 12 hours. If your dog won't eat, you can try to rub a teaspoon of pancake syrup or honey directly into his mouth and gums. What's the problem with xylitol ingestion in dogs? Unlike people, dogs rapidly produce insulin after ingesting xylitol within 30 minutes , which causes a dog's blood sugar to drop dangerously. When blood sugar drops too low, a condition known as hypoglycemia sets in, potentially leading to symptoms of shock.

Symptoms of xylitol toxicity in dogs may arise within minutes but in some cases may be delayed, presenting even 72 hours after ingestion. For this reason, do not presume that your dog is out of the woods should no symptoms arise right away!

If your dog ate sugarless gum with xylitol, always consult with a veterinarian for directions and what to watch for. A recent study released by the ASPCA reports cases of dogs developing elevated liver enzyme activity within 12 to 24 hours after eating xylitol. Several of these dogs developed acute liver failure, which can lead to death. It's very important to note the brand of gum a dog has eaten when contacting a vet. Different brands of gum contain different amounts of xylitol. The higher the amount of xylitol ingested, the greater the risk of liver failure.

For example, some brands contain fairly small amounts and it would take up to 9 pieces of gum to result in severe hypoglycemia in a 45 pound 20 kg dog and 45 pieces would result in liver failure. Other common brands of gum, which contain 1g of xylitol per piece of gum, only two pieces would result in severe hypoglycemia, while 10 pieces can result in liver failure. Not many owners are aware of the dangers of sugarless gum. As mentioned, the culprit is a substance called xylitol, often used in sugarless candies, mints, breath fresheners, chewable vitamins, toothpaste, nicotine gums, and baked goods.

While xylitol ingestion is pretty much innocuous in people, dogs can develop serious, even life-threatening, conditions. More and more cases of xylitol toxicity in dogs take place every year due to the fact that there are more and more products containing this artificial sweetener appear on the market.

According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center, the numbers of dogs suffering from xylitol poisoning have greatly increased since the first reports occurring in It is a good practice, to always keep the ASPCA's poison control phone number handy for ingestion of toxins and poisons. They will give you instructions and a case number for follow-ups with your veterinarian. They can be reached toll-free at It's always best to play it safe and contact your vet if you think there could be a problem.