In a world where people seem to hate each other and would rather hang out with their pets instead, we need to protect our furry friends. Ok, the first half of that statement was a little dramatic, but you get the idea.
In the 80s, every substitute was all the rage, margarine over butter, diet cola over normal, sweet n low, equal, remember, right?
However, experts found that many of these substitutes weren’t the best for your health, and people either left them out of their diet or went back to the real ones.
There is one natural sweetener that is widely used these days and that is xylitol.
Xylitol is found in small amounts in many types of fruit and vegetables and is therefore considered natural. Humans even produce small amounts of it through normal metabolism.
It’s a common ingredient in sugar-free chewing gums, hard candies, mints, diabetes-friendly foods, and oral care products. -healthline.com
I remember my dentist telling me that xylitol is a safe sugar substitute option for adults and children.
Although xylitol is safe for humans in moderate amounts, it is extremely toxic to your dog.
Even small amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure, or even death in dogs. -vcahospitals.com
The label on my Mentos chewing gum reads in capital letters. XYLITOL IS NOT SAFE FOR DOGS.
Animal lovers watch out!
Xylitol can be found in many things like chewing gum, toothpaste, and even peanut butter, so check the label and keep it away from your dog.
LOOK: Here are 30 foods that are toxic to dogs
In order to prepare for a possible incident, always have your veterinarian’s phone number ready, along with an after-hours consultation to call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline that you can call (888) 426-4435 for advice.
Despite all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is to prevent it in the first place. To give you an idea of which foods can be dangerous to humans, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods you should avoid. See if you are surprised.