Before you give your dog another gob of peanut butter….. Check the label for Xylitol!
Some health food companies have begun to add the artificial sweetener Xylitol to their Peanut butters. While this is great for health conscience humans, it can be harmful to dogs. Some brands that we know contain Xylitol are: “Go Nuts”, “Hanks Protein Plus Peanut Butter”, “Krush Nutrition”, Nuts’n More”, and “P28”. We are particularly concerned because we often recommend using Peanut butter as a way to get dogs to take medicine.
There are several other products that have this sugar substitute added. Many sugar free gums are sweetened with Xylitol. Anything advertised as “sugar Free” or “low carb” could contain Xylitol. The artificial sweetener can appear in the ingredient list under number of different names including: 1,4-anhydro-d-xylitol, anhydroxylitol, birch bark extract, birch sugar, d-xylitol, xylite, xylitylglucoside, Zylatol.
A list of human foods and products that contain Xylitol be found on the Preventive Vet web site at: http://www.preventivevet.com/xylitol-products-toxic-for-dogs
Most common brands of peanut butter are perfectly safe for dogs, but please read all labels and be on the lookout for this increasingly common canine toxin. If your dog gets into something that contains Xylitol, seek veterinary care immediately.
Conrad Weiser Animal Hospital:
Where big city medicine and surgery meet small town customer service and value.
The Do’s and Don’ts of How to be a Good Pet Owner
Just as it is for human children, pet parenting can be a little tricky. It is important, though, for optimal pet health and well-being that you do your very best. You are not alone in the task, though! As your pet care partners, Conrad Weiser Animal Hospital has all the best information for you so […]
Learn More...
Feline Wellness: Kitten Care 101
When it comes to the experts in puppy and kitten care, no one in Berks County is a better resource than Conrad Weiser Animal Hospital. Feline wellness is important to us, and teaching our clients how to care for a kitten properly helps set them up for a long, purr-fect life.
Learn More...
These Unique Dog Breeds Belong On Your Radar
Who doesn’t love to play “name that breed”? Dog lovers may not always hit the bull’s eye when it comes to guessing a dog’s breed (or a combination of several different breeds), but you can usually pick out certain traits if you are seasoned. Many canine breeds are quite old, while others have only just […]
Learn More...