For dogs · Free tool

Dog xylitol toxicity calculator

Check an estimated exposure by weight, type and amount. If any detail is unknown, contact your vet or a poison specialist.

Possible poisoning? Call your vet now. You do not need a calculation to get help.

Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435
pieces

Estimate for triage only, based on dose thresholds from the Merck Veterinary Manual and Pet Poison Helpline. The biggest unknown is how much xylitol is actually in the product — per-piece content varies enormously by brand and flavor — so a low estimate never means "safe." When in doubt, call.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual — Xylitol Toxicosis in Dogs; Schmid & Hovda, Acute Hepatic Failure in a Dog after Xylitol Ingestion (J Med Toxicol) (2016); Pet Poison Helpline — Xylitol Is Toxic To Dogs

Xylitol — the sweetener in sugar-free gum, mints, and some peanut butters — is highly toxic to dogs even in tiny amounts. It causes a rapid, dangerous drop in blood sugar, and at higher doses, liver failure. Because a single piece of some gums can poison a small dog, treat any real ingestion as a reason to call your vet or a pet poison line right away — this estimate is only a guide.

How much xylitol is too much?

Each cell is roughly the amount at which this tool starts telling you to call — 75 mg/kg of xylitol. Below a number here still isn't “safe”: it is the point at which concern begins, not the point at which harm does.

Amount of xylitol, by pet weight and type, at which this calculator's first warning band begins
WeightXylitol powder / granulated (baking)
5 lb0.17 grams
10 lb0.34 grams
20 lb0.68 grams
40 lb1.3 grams
70 lb2.3 grams

Rounded from the same thresholds the calculator above uses. Individual sensitivity, other ingredients, and your pet's health all move the real number — which is why every band here still ends in “call.”

Common questions

How much xylitol is toxic to dogs?

Blood-sugar effects begin around 100 mg/kg of body weight — about 0.045 grams per pound — and liver injury becomes a risk above roughly 500 mg/kg. Because some sugar-free gums contain close to a gram of xylitol per piece, a single piece can exceed the dangerous dose for a small dog. Cats are not affected by xylitol; this is a dog-specific poison.

My dog ate sugar-free gum — what should I do?

Act quickly. Note your dog's weight, the brand and flavor of gum, and how many pieces are missing, then call your veterinarian or a pet poison line right away — the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Don't wait for symptoms: a blood-sugar crash can begin within 30 minutes, and early treatment matters.

How quickly does xylitol affect dogs?

Low blood sugar can appear within 30 minutes of eating xylitol, though it can be delayed up to 12–18 hours when the xylitol is in slow-release gum. Signs include vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, tremors, and — in severe cases — collapse or seizures. Liver damage from higher doses may not show for 24–48 hours.

Is xylitol dangerous in peanut butter?

Yes — some "sugar-free" or "no sugar added" peanut butters contain xylitol, which is why you should always check the label before giving peanut butter to a dog or using it to hide a pill. If your dog ate a xylitol-sweetened peanut butter, treat it the same as gum and call your vet or a poison line.

Read nextSymptoms, timeline, and what the vet will doThe full guide to xylitol — what to watch for and how long it takes to show.

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These tools estimate risk — they don't replace your veterinarian and can't examine your pet. For anything worrying, or when in doubt, get a free triage assessment or call your vet.