🍬 Dog Xylitol Toxicity Calculator
Xylitol — also sold as “birch sugar” — is in sugar-free gum, mints, some peanut butters and baked goods. In dogs it triggers a surge of insulin. Enter the details to see how close the dose is to the danger levels.
Why xylitol is so dangerous for dogs
In people xylitol barely touches blood sugar. In dogs it makes the pancreas release a flood of insulin, and blood sugar can crash within 10–60 minutes — causing weakness, staggering, collapse and seizures. Larger doses can destroy liver cells over the following days.
The doses vets use
- Over about 0.1 g per kg — risk of dangerously low blood sugar.
- Over about 0.5 g per kg — risk of acute liver failure.
Xylitol per piece of gum ranges from a fraction of a gram to around a gram, so the calculator assumes the high end unless you enter the grams from the label.
Where xylitol hides
Sugar-free gum and mints, “sugar-free” or “keto” peanut and nut butters, baked goods, some toothpastes and mouthwashes, chewable vitamins and some medicines. On labels it may appear as xylitol, birch sugar or E967.
Frequently asked questions
How much xylitol is toxic to dogs?
Around 0.1 g per kg of body weight can cause severe low blood sugar, and around 0.5 g per kg can cause liver failure. A single piece of some gums can reach the first level in a small dog.
How fast does xylitol affect dogs?
Low blood sugar can start within 10 to 60 minutes. Liver damage may not show for 12 to 72 hours, which is why vets often monitor blood work for a few days.
Is peanut butter safe for dogs?
Plain peanut butter is fine in small amounts. Check the label for xylitol or birch sugar first — some sugar-free and “keto” brands contain it.
Sources
These calculators give general estimates for healthy pets. They are not veterinary advice — if your pet is unwell or has eaten something it shouldn’t, call your vet.