YesLet’s say you are a pet owner. who enjoys the occasional sweet treat.
It would be best if you were careful when hiding these sweets.
Trust me. You don’t want to call your vet and say, “Hello doctor, my dog ate gum! What should I do next?”
If you accidentally left your bag open and caught Fido chewing gum, you’ll need to act fast.
Some gum contains Xylitol. If you are a new pet parent and don’t know it, xylitol is extremely dangerous for your pup.
Chewing gum, if swallowed, can also cause an intestinal obstruction, which can prevent the passage of food.
This blog will discuss the possible effects of your dog eating gum and what you should do if this situation occurs.
Without further ado, let’s get straight to the point!
My dog ate gum: what should I do?
“My dog ate gum! That I have to do?”
Many pet owners have experienced that moment when they catch their pup chewing on something they’re not allowed to.
And if this “something” is chewing gum, you’ll need to know what to do next, whether it’s life-threatening, and whether it requires medical attention.
A dog’s digestive system is different from that of humans and chewing gum is one of the foods your dog should not eat.
In some cases, dogs will be fine after eating a piece of gum and will not show signs of illness.
However, some dogs can become seriously ill and require immediate medical attention.
At first glance, you might think that dogs eating gum shouldn’t be a big deal, since many of us have swallowed gum as children. (I know I do!)
But the truth is that gum can be very harmful to dogs because of a common sweetener found in sugarless gum called xylitol.
What is xylitol?
Xylitol is a low-calorie artificial sweetener and very poisonous to dogs.
It is an excellent sugar substitute that many manufacturers use, since its sweetness is similar to that of sugar but has fewer calories.
Xylitol is a type of carbohydrate that does not contain alcohol.
It is often used as a tabletop sweetener or can also be used in baking.
Although xylitol is safe for people, it can harm dogs.
How much xylitol can make a dog sick?
Xylitol is so dangerous that one piece of gum can be enough to poison a small dog.
Generally, it takes 0.05 grams of xylitol per pound of a dog’s weight to cause negative effects.
Chewing gum usually has between 0.22 and 1 gram of xylitol per piece.
Now, if you have a small 10-pound dog, a piece of gum can be toxic to him.
Foods and products that frequently contain xylitol
But chewing gum isn’t the only thing you should pay attention to.
There are still many products that contain xylitol.
Below we list other types of foods that contain xylitol.
If you own any of these items, make sure they are locked up somewhere dogs don’t have access to.
- Sugar free candy
- Other types of peanut butter
- Yoghurt
- Mouthwashes
- Baked goods
- Medicines
- Supplements
- jelly
- protein bars
- Ketchup
- Barbecue sauce
- Pancake syrups
What to observe in the first 30 minutes to 1 hour
It usually takes between 10 and 24 hours for something to pass through a dog’s digestive system.
Unfortunately, gum is almost impossible to break down.
If your dog has swallowed gum, you should monitor him for about 24 hours. However, it’s best to contact your vet right away!
Severe symptoms usually appear within the first 30 to 60 minutes.
But xylitol poisoning isn’t the only thing you should watch out for.
A dog swallowing gum can cause an intestinal blockage when the dog also eats the wrapper.
It may take a few days for blockage symptoms to clear up.
Signs of blockage include:
X-rays will be needed to determine the severity of the blockage.
If the gum is stuck, surgery will be necessary.
Symptoms of xylitol toxicity in dogs
When a dog swallows gum with xylitol, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Typically, it will take 30 to 60 minutes for the effects of poisoning to begin to appear.
Yes, time is of the essence when it comes to these types of situations.
Contact, or better yet, take your puppy to the vet if you know that your dog has consumed chewing gum or any food that contains xylitol.
Then usually leads to low blood sugar or hypoglycemia caused by a huge release of insulin in the body.
Listed below are a few other signs of xylitol poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Lack of appetite
- Stumbling block
- pale gums
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Eat
- Hepatic injury
- fast heartbeat
- Incoordination
- intestinal upset
Factors Influencing the Severity of Xylitol Poisoning
Although xylitol can quickly cause serious problems, there are still factors that influence the severity of xylitol poisoning.
It is best to act quickly if you suspect your dog ate something containing xylitol so he can recover quickly with proper veterinary care.
Size of your dog
The first factor that can affect the severity of xylitol poisoning is the size of your dog.
Large dogs have more body mass and larger livers than small or toy-sized dogs.
These large dogs are much more likely to recover from eating sugar-free gum than small-sized dogs.
Amount of gum consumed
The more doses of poisonous substance your dog consumes, the harder it will be for him to recover.
Unfortunately, even small doses of xylitol can cause enormous damage in this case.
For example, a 10kg dog only needs to eat 1 gram of xylitol to end up in the veterinary clinic.
Additionally, some sugar-free gums have more than one gram of xylitol.
Pre-existing medical conditions
Dogs with pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk or will suffer from severe xylitol poisoning.
If your dog has hypoglycemia or suffers from diabetes, liver disease or pancreatic disorders, take him directly to the vet if you suspect he has eaten gum.
Treatment of xylitol poisoning in dogs
Your veterinarian will determine the appropriate treatment based on the symptoms presented and the amount of gum ingested.
In some cases it is recommended to induce vomiting before taking your dog to the vet.
Once at the clinic, the veterinarian will need to take the dog’s vital signs, which will likely induce vomiting (if it hasn’t already), and administer activated charcoal to absorb the xylitol into the gastrointestinal tract.
The dog’s blood sugar level and liver function will also be monitored, as some dogs suffer from clotting problems after eating foods with xylitol.
Frequent questions
How quickly does xylitol affect dogs?
Xylitol toxicity will show signs within 30 minutes for most dogs. However, some cases may take 8 to 12 hours.
Therefore, if you know that your dog has eaten something that contains xylitol, don’t take the risk and contact your trusted veterinarian immediately.
How do I know if my dog ate something and has a blockage?
It is dangerous for dogs to eat foreign objects as they can become stuck to their intestinal tract causing a partial or total obstruction.
Some symptoms of intestinal obstruction are diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.
Can a dog survive eating xylitol?
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. But dogs can still survive if they only eat small amounts with proper medication and monitoring.
However, even small amounts of xylitol can cause harm, such as low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, and death.
My dog ate gum: before you leave…
“What should I do? My dog ate gum!
If your dog has eaten gum, you should check to see if the gum contains xylitol.
If so, contact your veterinarian immediately and take Fido to the vet as soon as possible, especially if your dog is small and has pre-existing medical problems.
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.
It is absorbed into the dog’s bloodstream, where it causes the pancreas to release insulin, which can cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.
It can also cause seizures, liver failure, and death.
Please note that these serious side effects can take effect within 10 to 60 minutes!
If your dog has eaten a lot of gum, it can also cause an intestinal blockage, preventing all food from passing through.
As pet owners, we must keep an eye on our pets. We should know what things or foods we should never touch.
If you’re the type of person who loves to chew gum, be sure to store these types of treats in a locked drawer or sealed jar where dogs can’t get to them.
Is your dog a chewer? Then you might have more questions about things your dog accidentally eats!
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