Friday, March 4, 2011

Xylitol (sugar substitute) Can Be Deadly to Ferrets

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a new warning about the dangers of the sugar-substitute "xylitol" for ferrets and dogs:

"Xylitol is a sugar alcohol approved for use in many common products, including sugar-free baked goods, candy, oral hygiene products, and chewing gum.


Xylitol can be found in many over-the-counter drugs such as chewable vitamins and throat lozenges and sprays. It can also be purchased in bulk bags for use in home baking. These products are intended only for human use.


The FDA reports included clinical signs such as a sudden drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia), seizures and liver failure. If you suspect your pet has ingested xylitol, some signs to look for are depression, loss of coordination and vomiting. The signs of illness may occur within minutes to days of ingesting xylitol. Owners should consult their veterinarian or pet poison control center immediately for advice if they know or suspect that their pet has ingested a human product containing xylitol."

My furry five live by the motto "Leave No Glass Unturned" and, like all ferrets, love to get into everything. But with a Type I diabetic daughter almost everything in the house is sugar-free, so I will certainly be checking labels and being even more cautious than before.