Dude! What peanut butters contain xylitol? Please!!
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that can be very harmful to dogs if ingested. It is found in numerous products on the market today (most commonly in products labeled as “sugar free”) but can be hidden in unsuspecting places as well. The good news is that, so far none of the main-brand peanut butters (such as Jif, etc) are using xylitol in their products.
Some brands of peanut butter that have been reported to contain xylitol include:
Be sure to read the label of any processed or pre-packaged food before giving it to your dog! Be extra cautious with foods lableled as “sugar free.” Many times, if xylitol is used it will be listed in the ingredients list. However, if the label says “sugar alcohol” without specifying which type, it is recommended that you avoid giving this food to your dog unless you are certain it is xylitol free. Other sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, glycerol (also called glycerine), maltitol, mannitol and sorbitol are not known to be toxic to dogs.
Additional products which may contain xylitol include (but are not limited to):
Sugar-free gum (Popular brands: Orbit, Mentos, Ice Breakers, Pür, Starbucks, Stride, Nicorette and Trident)
Peanut Butter (Go Nuts, Co, Krush Nutrition, Nuts ‘N More, P28 Foods, Protein Plus PB)
Cough drops/Throat lozenges
Jell-O snacks (sugar free Jell-Os and puddings)
Certain medications (Popular brands include Allegra, Gummy Vites and Nature’s Plus)
Some pre-packaged or store-bought baked goods and desserts
If you suspect your dog has ingested a product containing xylitol, call your primary veterinarian or a veterinary ER right away. If you do not live near a veterinarian, you can also call a pet poison control hotline for advice:
Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 ($45 charge per incident)
(http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/xylitol/)
ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 ($65 charge per incident)