Hidden Dangers for Dogs: Birch Sugar or Xylitol
In October 2021, I gave my 14-year-old dog a quarter of a ginger tablet, thinking it would help boost his immune system. I often use ginger tablets to ward off colds and flu, so I assumed it would be safe. However, the next day, my dog wouldn’t eat after his walk and slept most of the day. His sudden change in energy concerned me, so I retraced everything that had happened the day before. That’s when I discovered that the ginger tablet contained xylitol, also known as Birch Sugar.
Why Xylitol is Dangerous for Dogs
Xylitol is a low-calorie, sugar-free sweetener, technically classified as a “sugar alcohol.” While it has a low glycemic index (7-13) in humans, a dog’s digestive system reacts very differently. When a dog consumes xylitol, its pancreas mistakenly identifies it as natural sugar, causing a surge in insulin release, which leads to hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar levels), which can be fatal. Additionally, xylitol is toxic to a dog’s liver and can cause acute liver failure.
Important Dosage Warning:Hidden Dangers for Dogs: Birch Sugar or Xylitol
It takes as little as 0.1 grams of xylitol per kilogram of a dog’s weight to create a hypoglycemic risk.
Ingesting more than 0.5 grams per kilogram can lead to acute liver failure.
My Dog’s Recovery Journey
Upon realizing the danger, I immediately searched the internet for solutions. The consensus was to raise his blood sugar quickly, so I mixed some maple syrup with his dog kibble. Thankfully, he ate it, and I let him rest outside on the grass in the sun. A few hours later, I used my AMD ION Cleanse machine to help detoxify his system from lingering toxins. His energy returned within two days; he was back to his usual self. Grounding him by allowing him to spend time outside also helped in his recovery.
Fortunately, the amount of xylitol he ingested was minimal, and he bounced back. The vet examined him, and he didn’t need further treatment, but I began giving him Milk Thistle, an herb known for supporting liver health. He went on to live a healthy life until 16 ½ years.
Hidden Dangers for Dogs: Birch Sugar/ Xylitol
Lessons Learned
The key takeaway from my experience is that it doesn’t take much xylitol to severely harm or even kill a dog. Always check labels on human supplements or foods before giving them to your pets.
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