New warning for pet owners!

Awhile back, I had one of our dogs' teeth cleaned and the vet sent me home with a bottle of canine "dental rinse" supposed to help keep teeth free of tartar. When I tried it, the dogs spat it out and let me know there was no way they were going to allow it. I tried a bit on my tongue and to my amazement, it burned! I read the bottle (which I had been charged extra for, although it was never asked for or mentioned) and it contained Zylitol. I poured it down the drain. This was not our regular vet and I never called them on it. Probably should have, but didn't. I just made a note to read labels thoroughly on pet supplies. I knew I had read not to let dogs have any sugarless candy because it often contains Zylitol.

Oaklevel wrote:
probably another urban myth........ but everything on the internet is true right????

NOT an urban myth - xylitol is commonly used as a no-calorie sweetener in a LOT of people-food products (pudding is another one) and it's deadly to dogs. To be safe - I NEVER feed anything "low cal" to my dogs

Oaklevel wrote:
Ours love peanut butter on Ritz & have been eating them as a treat for years so all including the 16 year old are fine. But in moderation......... probably another urban myth........ but everything on the internet is true right????


But choozy parents choose Jiff :) :)

I'm not sure what you mean.

PB in moderation is okay for most dogs.

No amount of xylitol is okay for dogs.

For those who are leery of the original link but want to learn more, a Google search of "xylitol in peanut butter" turned up a lot of hits.

Even if your (generic "your") favored brand of peanut butter doesn't currently contain xylitol, IMO it's good to be aware that this is an issue, and to check the label every time you buy a new container.

sch911 wrote:
I'd be very leery clicking on that link, it tried to hijack my browser!

Same here.

My little JRT loves peanut butter and only kind we will give her is Smuckers Natural - no additives, just peanuts and tiny bit of salt. It's also the only peanut butter we will eat! It does require refrigeration after opening.

You almost have to read every label every time you buy something. I know the xylitol can be deadly to dogs. Had a friend whose dog got gum with xylitol in it. Friend knew the dangers of xylitol and took the dog to the ER as soon as she discovered it. Owner had a hefty ER bill, but the dog lived. Story could have ended quite differently if she had not been on top of it.

I think I read that the xylitol crashes the dog's glucose levels.

Ours love peanut butter on Ritz & have been eating them as a treat for years so all including the 16 year old are fine. But in moderation......... probably another urban myth........ but everything on the internet is true right????


But choozy parents choose Jiff :) :)

I guess I'm lucky. I've never had a dog I've had to wrap pills for-I just put my hand way in, drop the pill in, close the mouth and rub the throat. Never any issues.

I don't understand why ANYONE, human or canine, even eats PB that has anything other than peanuts and a little salt, but that's a whole 'nuther story!

My current dog spits out pills if wrapped in peanut butter, so now I use Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss Light. It's like cream cheese, but with fewer calories and no artificial ingredients. Problem solved.

Pawz4me wrote:
I had no problem with the link. It's an article warning about xylitol being added to some peanut butters.

All off brand peanut butters none of the major ones.
The link is to
http://iheartdogs.com/urgent-manufacturers-have-started-adding-a-deadly-ingredient-to-something-many-owners-give-their-dogs/