Dog owners warned against sugar-free items

[tpsbmam]

Dog owners warned against sugar-free items
Commonly used artificial sweetener can cause canine liver failure
Reuters

Updated: 7:10 p.m. ET Sept. 29, 2006

NEW YORK - Keep those sugarless treats out of Fido’s reach. Veterinarians warned Friday that a commonly used sweetener might cause liver failure in dogs, and perhaps even kill them.

Their report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association appears to strengthen the suspected link between the sugar substitute xylitol, thought to make dogs sick, and possible liver failure.

Xylitol, a naturally occurring product, is found in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and toothpastes.



URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15066760/

[Haole Girl]

1. This does not surprise me at all

Those artificial sweeteners are nasty. I know diabetics have few choices, but other people should use them very sparingly...if at all...especially at high temperatures.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

2. They are, and have been forever. Lead was sometimes used as a sweetener

a few centuries back. Although, part of the reason I use them is because I'd rather die of chemical poisoning than obesity.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

3. Xylitol isn't artificial.

It's completely natural and actually one of the safest sugar substitutes for humans. It's just toxic to dogs, just like chocolate is.