Xylitol labeling legislation would promote pet safety

Published on
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old
Protect. Promote. Advance.

The AVMA strongly supports the Paws Off Act of 2021, a bill that would require food containing the sugar substitute xylitol to include a warning label specifying its toxic effects on pets. Xylitol is highly poisonous to dogs and other pets and, when ingested, can cause muscle tremors, seizures, and even death.

Most often found in sugar-free gum and breath mints, xylitol may also be present in vitamins, cough drops, sugar-free desserts, mouthwash, toothpaste, and even some peanut butters, among other products. The artificial sweetener, also known as birch sugar, is not always listed on the ingredient label, making it difficult for pet owners to know which items pose a danger to their pets.

Over the past 15 years, xylitol poisoning calls to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center have increased dramatically. In 2005, 201 xylitol-related calls were registered, compared with 6,760 registered in 2018.

The proposed legislation would help inform pet owners about xylitol-containing products in order to keep their pets safe. U.S. Reps. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) and Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives with Reps. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) joining as original cosponsors.

Help ensure the veterinary profession’s voice is heard on this important animal welfare issue by contacting your representative in Congress and urge them to support the Paws off Act of 2021.

Comments

PAWS OFF ACT of 2021

I am in support of the PAWS Off Act of 2021. Please do what is necessary to get this passed.

Paws off Act

I highly support The Paws Off Act of 2021 and urge you to do whatever is necessary to get this passed!

Wendy Borowsky
September 21, 2021 Permalink

PAWS OFF ACT OF 2021

So very important for our much loved pets.
Please help get this passed!

Barbara Walter
September 23, 2021 Permalink

Xylitol

So glad to learn of this act
I have informed many re xylitol toxicity in dogs even letter to editor in an NP journal
Used in oral health products even in nursing homes.
Concerned with many chewing gums, candy that can be dropped on floor or spill out of a pocketbook

Stephanie Hauser
September 26, 2021 Permalink

Paws off Act of 2021.

Please pass this act!

Andrew Holycross
September 29, 2021 Permalink

PASS IT!

Unlike other pet toxins, xylitol hides in a greater diversity of products than you can imagine. It is perhaps the most potent dog poison on the shelves. It is also increasing its market share exponentially. Without TEANSPARENT, COMMON SENSE warning labels, pet owners are easily fooled into bringing this into their homes. Do the right thing.

Samantha Diliberto
April 14, 2022 Permalink

Please band xylitol!

Please band xylitol!

Xylitol labeling

Please push to require labeling on all products containing Xylitol, for the safety of our pets.

This is important!!!

This is important!!!

Please pass Xylitol label law

Please adequately mark products that contain Xylitol. It is deadly to pets.

Xylitol labeling

It is imperative that. Products using xylitol be labeled as poisonous to dogs. Knoeing it is lethal and refusing to warn consumers is unconscionable!

Xylitol labeling

I support the Paws Off Act of 2021. Products should be labeled if they contain this sugar alcohol!

Xylitol labeling

I support the Paws Off Act of 2021. Products should be labeled if they contain this sugar alcohol!

Xylitol Labeling

I support the Paws Off Act of 2021. Products should be labeled if they contain this sugar alcohol!

Xylitol Poisoning

Please clear up my confusion! Is this statement correct: Xylitol is very poisonous to dogs, but close to harmless (unless ingested in massive amounts vs body weight) to cats?

Add New Comment

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
CAPTCHA
Please verify that you are not a robot.