My dog ate gum: xylitol toxicity calculator
Dogs that eat more than 0.1 g of xylitol per kg of body weight are at risk of dangerously low blood sugar, and liver failure has been seen from about 0.5 g/kg. One piece of sugar-free gum can contain around 0.3 g, so a few pieces can poison a small dog.
Free, no sign-up · Reviewed October 2026 · How it works
What did they eat?
Often not on the label. 0.3 g a piece is the estimate vets use when xylitol isn't the first sweetener listed; if it is first, use the total sugar alcohols per piece.
Estimated dose
0.09g/kg
Below the known risk level
About 0.90 g of xylitol for a 10.0 kg dog.
- Below the known risk levelunder 0.1 g/kg
- Risk of dangerously low blood sugar0.1+ g/kg
- Risk of liver failure0.5+ g/kg
For information only, not a diagnosis or a substitute for your vet. If your pet seems unwell or you're worried, call your vet.
How this tool works
Enter the number of pieces of gum or mints, or the grams of xylitol from the label. When the label doesn't list xylitol separately, the calculator uses 0.3 g per piece, the estimate recommended in veterinary toxicology guidance.
It divides the xylitol by your dog's weight and compares the result with the published risk levels: over 0.1 g/kg for low blood sugar and from 0.5 g/kg for liver failure.
Because labels are often unclear and some dogs react to less, any xylitol is worth an immediate call to your vet.
Questions.
How much xylitol is toxic to dogs?
Doses over 0.1 g per kg can cause low blood sugar, and liver failure has been reported from about 0.5 g per kg. For a 10 kg dog that's just 1 g and 5 g.
Which products contain xylitol?
Sugar-free gum and mints, some peanut and nut butters, sugar-free sweets, baked goods, toothpaste, mouthwash and some chewable vitamins. It may be listed as birch sugar or E967.
How fast does xylitol affect dogs?
Low blood sugar can start within 10 to 60 minutes, but with some gums it can be delayed for up to 12 hours. Liver damage can follow within 1 to 3 days.
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