Gum is a poisonous food for dogs.
- shellyskuza
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
I’ve always known my Bernedoodles were scavengers. They’re smart, curious, and incredibly food-motivated—sometimes a little too much for their own good. Normally, I crate them at night to avoid trouble, but one night, my daughter wanted to sleep on the couch with our girl Judy. I double-checked the counters and closed the pantry door. Everything seemed safe.
But that night, Judy got into more than I expected—a sealed container of Ice Breakers gum, and it nearly became a life-threatening emergency.
What Happened
At first, we didn’t know anything was wrong. Judy threw up in the morning, which wasn’t totally out of character—she had also somehow opened the cabinet where the garbage can is and had gotten into that too.
We assumed it was just garbage-related overeating... until my husband saw the empty gum container on the floor. He handed it to me and said, “I think dogs aren’t supposed to have gum—but I don’t remember why.”
That one moment—his memory and quick thinking—is probably what saved Judy’s life. I got on the internet and searched to find out if gum is dangerous to dogs and learned about xylitol.
Why Xylitol in Food Is So Poisonous to Dogs
Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in many foods such as sugar-free gums, candies, baked goods, and even some brands of peanut butter. It’s harmless for humans, but it is an extremely toxic and poisonous food for dogs.
Here's how xylitol poisoning progresses in stages:
Stage 1: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) – Xylitol causes a massive release of insulin, which can drop a dog’s blood sugar to dangerously low levels within 30–60 minutes.
Early signs: vomiting, weakness, disorientation, tremors, or seizures.
Stage 2: Liver Failure – In some dogs, xylitol also causes acute liver failure, typically within 12–24 hours after ingestion.
Without treatment, this stage is often fatal.
What We Did and How Judy Pulled Through
We rushed Judy to the only emergency vet open on Sunday. She had only gotten to the vomiting stage, but we brought the gum container with us and told them exactly how much she ate (around one ounce, which is extremely dangerous).
The vet immediately:
Did an X-Ray to look for a bowel blockage
Started IV fluids and medications to stabilize her
Gave her a custom-calculated dose of medication based on the amount of xylitol she ingested
Kept her for 48 hours of observation and treatment
Prescribed a daily medicine for 2 weeks.
Thankfully, because we got her in early, Judy never became symptomatic beyond that first vomit. She didn’t know anything was wrong—and we hope she never does.
What You Can Learn From Our Scare
If your dog eats anything that could contain xylitol, don’t wait for symptoms. Act immediately. Here’s what you should do:
Check the label – Look for “xylitol” or “sugar alcohols” on the ingredient list
Call your vet or an emergency vet ASAP – Don’t wait, even if your dog seems fine
Bring the packaging with you – It helps vets assess the level of danger
Assume it's an emergency – Even small amounts of xylitol can be deadly
Common Products That Contain Xylitol
Sugar-free gum (Ice Breakers, Orbit, Trident, etc.)
Sugar-free mints and candy
Baked goods
Toothpaste and mouthwash
Some peanut butters (check labels!)
Final Thoughts: I'm Just Grateful
I’m still shaken, even though Judy is fine now. I’ve gone through my home with fresh eyes—realizing that even a sealed container isn't safe from a determined, clever dog. And when that dog is part Poodle and part Bernese, let’s just say they’ve got the brains and the motivation to get into trouble.
If you have a Bernedoodle—or any dog that likes to explore—please take a moment today to check your home for xylitol. You never think it’ll happen to you, until it does.
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