What Should I Do If My Dog Swallowed Chewing Gum?

• Important: If your dog swallowed sugar-free gum, take them to the vet right away!

If your dog ate gum off the floor and you have reason to believe that it was sugar-free, you shouldn’t wait to get your pet checked out. But, if you’re not sure, keep reading to find out more about the symptoms they will likely experience.

What Should I Do if My Dog Eats Chewing Gum?

This is an in-depth guide to the steps you should take if your dog eats chewing gum. We’ll cover the warning signs you should look out for after your dog ingests gum, and how to respond to those symptoms.

Are All Types of Gum Dangerous for Dogs?

Sugar-free chewing gum should never be eaten by dogs, due to the ingredient Xylitol. According to VCA Hospitals, it is extremely toxic to dogs. It comes from plants and trees, so you might think it’d be safe. But, even a small amount can poisonous!

• Why is xylitol so bad? It’s a sugar alcohol that quickly gets absorbed into your dog’s bloodstream. This causes blood sugar levels to skyrocket to the point where they can become fatal. Insulin enters the bloodstream and needs to be balanced out right away. If treatment isn’t immediately sought out, it can also quickly cause damage to the liver. If the blood sugar levels don’t harm your dog, the liver damage most certainly will.

Regular gum isn’t much of a danger for dogs. But, if they consume large amount, it can cause some intestinal issues. If you have a small dog, it could even lead to a blockage in the intestine.

But, the sugars used in traditional gum aren’t considered toxic to dogs. Most dogs will pass it easily, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your dog for a day or two to make sure they aren’t showing any symptoms of illness.

What Brands of Chewing Gum Contain Xylitol?

There are hundreds of brands of gum and candies that use xylitol as a sweetener. Some of them are even labeled as ‘all-natural,’ so you might think they’re safe.

But, remember that xylitol technically is a natural ingredient! It’s still poisonous for dogs and should never be given to a dog even if other ingredients in a product are safe.

Some of the most popular brands of chewing gum that have xylitol as an ingredient include:

• Dentyne Pure Mint (Citrus, Herbal, and Melon)
• Sweet Advantage (Fruit Punch & Peppermint Pop)
• Eco-Dent Between! Dental Gum (Assorted Flavors)
• Epic Dental Xylitol Gum (Cinnamon, Fresh Fruit, Peppermint, Spearmint)
• Sugar-Free Glee Gum (Lemon-Lime, Refresh-Mint, Wild Watermelon)
• Ice Breakers (Cool Blast & Ice Cubes)
• Mentos (Pure Gum, Sugar-Free Gum, UP2U Gum)
• Orbit Gum (Assorted Flavors)
• Stride Gum (Nonstop Mint, Spearmint, Spark Kinetic Mint, Spark Kinetic Fruit)
• Tic Tac Gum (Spearmint, Cool Watermelon, Fresh Mint)
• Trident Gum (Assorted Flavors)

Again, chewing gum isn’t the only product that contains xylitol. Many products we eat on a regular basis use it as a sweetener. So, whenever your dog gets into something edible, make sure to check the ingredient list!

Other types of sugars aren’t necessarily good for your dog either, but xylitol is the one to be concerned about.

My dog ate Juicy Fruit gum – is it bad for dogs?

The key question here is: does Juicy Fruit contain xylitol? According to the ingredients listed on Wrigley’s website and on the packaging itself, Juicy Fruit gum does not contain xylitol. This means it shouldn’t be toxic to dogs.

However, you should still keep a close eye on your dog for the next day or so (and in particular the first couple of hours) to see if it starts showing any of the symptoms listed in this article.

My dog ate Orbit gum – what do I do?

Orbit gum does contain xylitol: the amount varies by flavor, but any amount can be dangerous depending on the health and size of your dog. So whether your dog ate a whole pack of Orbit gum or just one stick, head straight to the vet.

My dog ate Extra gum – does Extra gum contain xylitol?

Luckily for your pooch, no – Wrigleys Extra gum uses artificial sweeteners other than xylitol. So Extra gum can’t kill a dog, and if your dog ate Extra gum it should be fine – but as always, don’t hesitate to go to the vet if he displays any symptoms.

My dog chewed already chewed gum – does that make a difference?

Actually, yes: if your dog ate chewed gum there’s a chance that the xylitol had already been washed away by the saliva of the person who previously chewed it.

Although the prognosis is better than if your dog just ate a fresh stick of gum, you still shouldn’t take any chances and get them to the vet right away.

My dog chewed gum but didn’t swallow – should I still be worried?

Yes, even if your dog didn’t swallow the gum you should still be worried – because the act of chewing releases the xylitol, so it can get into your dog’s system even if she spits the gum out.

My puppy ate chewing gum – is he in danger?

As with dogs of any age, it depends whether the gum your puppy chewed contains xylitol. If not, he should be fine. But because puppies can be more vulnerable to illness of all kinds, if your puppy ate gum with xylitol you should definitely get him to the vet right away.

What Are the Symptoms of Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs?

If you’re not sure what kind of gum your dog ate, specific symptoms can go along with xylitol poisoning. Keep in mind that it’s essential to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible if they’ve ingested something with xylitol.

Recognizing these symptoms will help you to get your dog the treatment they need right away:

• Lethargy and weakness
• Vomiting
• Sudden seizures
• Rapid heartbeat
• Lack of coordination

Signs you may not notice may be happening internally, such as liver failure and internal bleeding. If you let any of these symptoms go for too long, it can result in extreme sickness. As hard as it is to suggest, it can even lead to death.

Most symptoms will start to show up anywhere from 30-60 minutes after your dog ingests the gum.

My dog ate gum but is acting fine!

If your dog ate xylitol with no signs, don’t let them out of your sight just yet!

You might wonder ‘is my dog okay if he’s acting fine?’ The answer, unfortunately, is no.

In some cases, symptoms can manifest themselves many hours later. They can start to show up even up to 12 hours later. Keep an eye on your dog for a day or two. If even the smallest sign or symptom shows up, it’s a good idea to get them to a vet quickly.

What Factors Should be Considered?

If your dog ingests even a small amount of sugar-free gum, you should take them to the vet.

As long as you do so quickly, most dogs can make a full recovery from this kind of poisoning. The level of severity of xylitol poisoning can come from several different factors.

These include the following:

• Your dog’s size: Smaller dogs don’t need to ingest as much gum as larger dogs for it to be fatal. Only a small amount can cause them to become sick. This doesn’t mean larger dogs are safe to eat small amounts. But, they may be able to recover faster.
• The amount of gum consumed: It doesn’t take much of this ingredient to cause significant problems. But, the more xylitol your dog ingests, the harder it can be to recover fully.
• Your dog’s health: If your dog is older or has a medical condition, the effects of xylitol may hit them even harder. This is especially true if your dog has a pre-existing liver condition. Be sure to talk to your vet about any other medical conditions affecting your dog.
• Used gum: It may be to their benefit to gobble up a piece of gum that’s already been chewed. Chances are, most of the xylitol has been washed away through saliva, etc. It still could be dangerous and warrant a trip to the vet, but the risk has likely been reduced.

• In most cases, your vet will suggest that you try to induce vomiting. According to PetMD, this can be done with hydrogen peroxide. Choose one that is 3% hydrogen peroxide and give your dog 1 milliliter per pound of body weight.

If you can successfully get your dog to vomit, there’s a good chance some of the xylitol will get out of their system. But, that doesn’t mean they’re safe yet. Once some of the symptoms have lessened, you should still take your dog in to have their blood sugar levels monitored.

What Other Foods Contain Xylitol?

Now that you know specific brands of chewing gum aren’t safe for dogs, it’s also vital to understand which other foods often contain xylitol. Keeping them away from your furry friend is necessary for their health and safety. Some of the things we eat every single day with no problems could be fatal if ingested by your dog.

Some of the most common examples include:

• Pre-packaged baked goods
• Jell-O
• Yogurt
• Protein bars
• Sugar-free bars and candy

Certain kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes can also contain this harmful ingredient. If there’s any chance your dog could get hold of a particular food or product, make sure you read the ingredients carefully.

All types of sugar can cause some issues for your dog. But, if you see the word ‘xylitol,’ keep the product away from your pet at all costs.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe from the Risks of Gum

Making an emergency trip to the vet is a stressful situation for everyone. On top of that, the vet bill could end up being hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars, depending on how long your dog needs to stay. It’s much easier to prevent xylitol poisoning than to treat it. The best way to do this is to recognize ingredients in products and foods you use every day.

When it comes to chewing gum, though, there are things you can do to lower the chances of your dog ingesting some and putting themselves at risk for poisoning.

Some useful tips to keep in mind include:

• Discard your gum properly: When you’re done chewing gum, make sure to throw it away in a trash bin. If you have a dog in the house, don’t leave it anywhere near the top of the bin. Try wrapping the gum in a small piece of paper and burying it underneath something else in the trash.
• Keep your eyes open during walks: Sometimes, your dog can ingest gum through no fault of your own. People tend to toss their chewed gum all over the place, including the street. If you’re on a walk with your dog, be mindful of what’s on the streets and sidewalks. Dogs will be attracted to the smell, so if you see gum on the road, walk around it and keep your dog from licking or eating it.
• Make the switch: People chew sugar-free gum for different reasons. If you chew it for health reasons, you may not want to switch to regular gum. But, if you don’t have a real preference and are just looking for something to freshen your breath, make the switch to regular gum. It’ll automatically lower your dog’s risk of ingesting xylitol.
• Keep your gum stashed away: People store gum in many different places. Think about where your pack of sugar-free gum might be right now. Your purse? Your back pocket? On top of the kitchen counter? If your dog can get to these places easily, reconsider where you keep your gum. Try storing it in a drawer or your car, or anywhere else where your dog won’t have easy access.

By using these tips, you can protect your dog from poisoning and avoid a hefty vet bill in the process.

What Healthy Sweets Can My Dog Eat Safely?

Ideally, dogs should stick to a diet based on their own specific food. Kibble and canned dog food are specially-formulated to give dogs the nutrition they need. But, if your dog has ever looked at what you’re eating with longing eyes, you know it’s hard not to give in sometimes! Giving your dog ‘human food’ every once in a while shouldn’t hurt them, as long as you know the ingredients in that food aren’t poisonous.

If you’ve found that your dog has a bit of a sweet tooth, there are many alternatives you can safely give them. These alternatives won’t put your dog at risk of poisoning from artificial sweeteners.

The next time your dog is looking for a sweet treat, try offering one of the following:

• Sweeter vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes are great options in small quantities. Make sure they’re chopped into small bites so your dog can eat and digest them easily.
• Fruits that are filled with natural sugars are a good option. But, not all fruits are safe for dogs. Apples, berries, and bananas are fine options that will curb your dog’s sweet tooth. Avoid giving your dog grapes or raisins. If you’re on the go, a bag of dried apples or banana chips can make a tasty, crunchy snack for your dog! Just be sure not to give them too much, as it can cause their sugar to spike. Fruits like bananas also tend to have more calories.
• All-natural yogurt with no artificial sweeteners added can be a great, refreshing treat for your dog. Yogurt contains calcium and bacteria that can help your dog’s digestive system.
• Because many pets want to enjoy something sweet and owners want to reward them, different commercial treats have been made. Everything from ‘sweet’ cookies to dog ice cream can be found in pet stores. Be sure to read the ingredients and make sure you’re comfortable giving them to your dog. Treats like this should also be offered in moderation since they can be high in calories.