My dog ate sugar-free gum. Is it toxic?

Xylitol, a sweetener in sugar-free gum, mints and some peanut butters, is dangerous to dogs in small amounts. Enter your dog's weight and what they ate to see the dose range. Call your vet either way.

If your dog ate xylitol, call now.Xylitol can drop a dog's blood sugar within an hour. Call your vet, an emergency clinic, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both poison lines charge a consultation fee.
If you're not sure, guess high.
?g per kg (high estimate)
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Dose analysis

Xylitol eaten
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Dose range
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Low blood sugar possible from
0.1 g/kg
Liver failure possible from
0.5 g/kg

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Low blood sugar can start within 10 to 60 minutes. Liver damage can show up 1 to 2 days later, so dogs often need monitoring even if they seem fine.

How the calculator works

Gum and mints contain about 0.22 to 1.0 g of xylitol per piece, according to the American Kennel Club, and the amount varies even between flavors of one brand. The calculator works out the dose at both ends of that range and grades the risk on the high end, because guessing low is the dangerous mistake. If you know the grams of xylitol, it uses your number.

What the ranges mean

The Merck Veterinary Manual says doses above about 100 mg/kg (0.1 g/kg) have been linked to low blood sugar in dogs, and some dogs eating more than 500 mg/kg (0.5 g/kg) develop severe liver failure. Signs of low blood sugar include vomiting, weakness, wobbling, collapse and seizures. Below 0.1 g/kg is not proof of safety; call anyway.

Where xylitol hides

Besides gum and mints, the FDA lists sugar-free candy and desserts, some baked goods, some nut butters, cough syrup, chewable vitamins and supplements, some medicines, toothpaste and mouthwash. Check labels for xylitol, sometimes listed as birch sugar.

Cats

Merck notes that dogs are the only domestic species with reported xylitol poisoning, and cats aren't at risk of the low blood sugar or liver injury seen in dogs. Call your vet if your cat ate something unusual anyway.

Questions

How much xylitol is toxic to dogs?

Doses above about 0.1 g per kg of body weight can cause low blood sugar, and above 0.5 g/kg can cause liver failure, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. For a 20 lb dog, 0.1 g/kg is about 0.9 g of xylitol, which can be one or two pieces of gum.

How long after eating xylitol will a dog show symptoms?

Low blood sugar can start within 10 to 60 minutes. Liver damage may not show for 24 to 48 hours, which is why vets often monitor dogs even when they look fine.

Should I make my dog vomit?

Only if a vet or poison control tells you to. They'll decide based on the dose, timing and your dog's condition.

Sources
  1. Merck Veterinary Manual, Xylitol Toxicosis in Dogs
  2. U.S. FDA, Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs
  3. American Kennel Club, Dog accidentally ate gum: can gum make my dog sick?

Last reviewed October 20, 2026. Estimates for healthy pets only, not veterinary advice.