Kitchen · cat safety
Is xylitol toxic to cats?
Mild
Probably not dangerous to cats: in a small study, large amounts of xylitol didn't lower cats' blood sugar or harm their livers. It is deadly to dogs, though — keep sugar-free gum and sweets away from all pets.
Why mild: Not shown to be toxic to cats (one small study) — but deadly to dogs.
- Name
- Xylitolalso Sugar-free gum, Sugar-free sweets
- Hindi
- ज़ाइलिटॉल
What's in it
Xylitol, a sweetener — dangerous to dogs' blood sugar and liver.
Where it hides
- Sugar-free chewing gum and mints
- 'Sugar-free' mithai
- Some peanut butters
Symptoms to watch for
- None shown in cats so far
What to do
Call your vet for advice if your cat ate a lot. The cat evidence is one study of six cats, so don't assume it's harmless.
- If you also have a dog, keep xylitol well away — in dogs it's an emergency.
Where Indian cats meet it
Sugar-free gum, mints and sugar-free mithai.
Sources
Facts last checked
General information for cat parents, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. The facts come from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, International Cat Care, the Merck Veterinary Manual and the other sources listed on every page — and we say so when the evidence comes from dogs or people. If your cat may have eaten something harmful, call your vet.