05/23/2023
Heads up awareness folks, please! Extremely important... ice cream, peanut butter, and toothpaste... beware please. Watch out with accidental gum consumption....
Birch Sugar is Xylitol!
Let's learn more.
YES! Birch sugar and Xylitol are poisonous to dogs! However, let's get more specific.
Did you know that miniscule amounts of xylitol can be found in many natural foods, including (but not limited to); berries, pineapples, apples, carrots, oats, and many others? Of course, as we know, these are considered to be safe in reasonable amounts.
We also know that non-poisonous sugar (not to say that it's a health food!) comes from some other trees. For example, maple trees.
However, like many other plants, the birch tree is toxic to dogs. The concentrated sugar made from the bark of birch trees is dangerous to canines because it contains high amounts of xylitol.
So, let's investigate this substance that poses a deadly threat to our furry friends.
Xylitol's industrial production begins with a polymer extracted from hardwoods or corn cobs. This polymer, called Xylan and derived from the crushed plant fiber, is manipulated through multi-step processes into another chemical which is further manipulated into Xylitol, a sugar alcohol. It can also be produced through multi-step microbial processes which includes the fermentation and biocatalytic processing of bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Xylitol made from birch wood uses sulfuric acid to extract the polymer and corn cob sourced uses hydrogen, hydrochloric acid and steam. Most producers use corn cobs due to greater availability and less expense. Using corn cobs doesn't make it less dangerous to your dog as the chemical extract acts the same.
The concentrated extract from birch tree bark has exploded in popularity as a sugar substitute because it's sweet, lower in calories than white sugar, and sounds "natural."
Because it contains a high amount of xylitol, it's being touted as being the new "sneaky" name for Xylitol. However, it's not so much "sneaky" as it is appropriate labeling. The big problem is that dog owners weren't warned of the dangers of concentrated birch sugar to their pets.
Xylitol is also still made by labs and manufacturers from other substances. Unfortunately, all of it lethal to dogs.
Even small amounts of concentrated xylitol can cause life threatening acute low blood sugar. If your dog has ingested some, please call your vet or the emergency vet, and get help immediately. You can reach the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
Symptoms of Xylitol poisoning include: lethargy, weakness or collapse, tremors, vomiting, seizures, jaundice and coma or death. All size dogs are susceptible to Xylitol, and larger ingestions can cause liver damage and necrosis (the death of most or all of the cells in an organ or tissue ).
Before sharing something with your dog, check the ingredient list for Xylitol or Birch sugar. Even if it isn’t listed, check the “sugar-alcohol content” on the nutrition label. If it lists a sugar alcohol, please don’t give it to your dog. Xylitol could be lurking in this vague, obscure description. Look for these terms in supplements and dog treats also.
The bottomline: The birch tree is considered toxic to dogs. And birch bark sugar contains dog-dangerous levels of xylitol. Yet not all Xylitol is made from birch bark. Either way, it's all toxic to your dog!
Smooches to your pooches! 🐾