Sweetener found in everything from nut butters to ice cream can be deadly for dogs

We love giving our dogs a special treat. But do you ever look at the label before you offer up a taste? You may need to, as one sweetener could be deadly.

Just because it is safe for you, that doesn’t mean it is safe for your pup. In fact, there is actually one sweetener found in a number of products we consume regularly that is actually quite bad for our dogs.

According to the USA Today, recently the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to pet parents alerting them to the fact that the sweetener known as xylitol is actually not safe for our dogs. While it is okay for human consumption, when our pups indulge in a treat that is meant for humans, they can actually get quite sick and in some tragic cases, die.

And it was not just a warning that the FDA issued, they even released a video to help pet owners be more aware of this potentially dangerous sweetener.

Xylitol can be found in foods that are often labeled as sugar-free, as well as common nut butters (think peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.), and even in some chewing gum. The sweetener can even be found in some brands of ice cream as well. It is important to pay attention to the labels of these kinds of products or really anything you might be thinking of treating your dog with, as an ingredient like this can have an adverse effect on our pups.

Just because something is okay for us to consume does not mean it is dog-friendly. Simply put our dogs have a digestive system that is different from our own and we have to be careful when we opt for a human product over something made specifically for them.

Even toothpaste can contain xylitol, which is why it is not just about making sure we are checking the labels of things before we give it to our dog. We should also be careful about where things are in relation to our pups so they cannot get to it.

Keep things that our dogs should not be consuming out of their reach. Make sure that you don’t put your bag with that gum on the ground or in a chair where your furry friend can get their paws on it.

It is all about being aware of the things that our dog is consuming, as well as where things that could be harmful to their health are in our homes. Just like we baby proof our homes when we have a new child, the same should be done when it comes our pups as well.

Did you know that the sweetener xylitol was bad for our dogs? Do you pay attention to labels when you decide to give your pup a treat? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.