Checked against the SaluPaws toxic-food database
Xylitol (also labelled birch sugar or E967) is one of the most dangerous things a dog can eat. It triggers a massive insulin release that crashes blood sugar within 10–60 minutes; larger amounts can cause liver failure. Even a piece or two of sugar-free gum can endanger a small dog. Contact a vet immediately.
Most poisonings happen because owners don't know a product contains it. Check labels for xylitol, birch sugar, birch sap or E967 in:
Fast — usually within 10–60 minutes:
With larger doses, liver damage can develop over the following days — even when the early signs seem to pass. Follow-up blood tests matter.
Call your vet or an animal poison line immediately (UK: Animal PoisonLine · US: ASPCA Animal Poison Control). This poisoning moves fast — minutes matter. Have the packaging ready so the xylitol content can be estimated. If your dog is already weak or collapsing and you cannot reach a vet instantly, a little honey or syrup rubbed on the gums can help support blood sugar while you travel to the vet — it is not a treatment.
SaluPaws checks every food you log against its toxic-food database — including xylitol. Log "sugar-free peanut butter" and it warns you on the spot, with vet guidance and a timestamped record for your vet. The check works offline, for every user, free.
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Blood-sugar crashes are reported from roughly 0.1 g per kg of body weight — potentially a single piece of sugar-free gum for a small dog, since gum can contain anywhere from a fraction of a gram to over a gram per piece. Content varies by brand and often isn't stated, so treat any ingestion as an emergency.
Yes — birch sugar, birch sap and E967 are all xylitol under a different name. Products marketed as "natural" sweeteners are just as dangerous to dogs.
Sorbitol, erythritol and stevia are not associated with the insulin crash xylitol causes, though large amounts can upset a dog's stomach. Xylitol is the emergency. If you're not sure which sweetener a product uses, call your vet anyway.
Most human toothpaste contains xylitol, and the amount in a good lick is hard to judge. For a small dog especially, ring your vet or a poison line with the brand name to be safe — and use dog-specific toothpaste for brushing.
Sources: VCA Animal Hospitals — xylitol toxicity · MSD Veterinary Manual. This page is general guidance, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your dog has eaten anything containing xylitol, contact your vet immediately.