Sweetener In Some Sugarless Gums Can Be Deadly For Dogs

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – There is a new warning for dog owners who chew sugarless gum.

Researchers say sweeteners used in the gum could actually kill your pet.

The sugar substitute called "Xylitol" is found in a number of products, even possibly peanut butter.

Gunner is the newest member of the family for Samantha and Jordan.

He's helping the pair deal with a heartbreaking loss.

Two-year-old Luna died in April after getting into some chewing gum with the sugar substitute Xylitol.

She started vomiting and they took her to the vet, but there was nothing doctors could do.

"Her kidney tests weren't good. They were shutting down, and we didn't really have any other choice but to put her down," Samantha says tearfully.

Xylitol is safe for humans but can be dangerous for dogs, causing low blood sugar and even liver failure.

Sugar free gum is the biggest offender, but Xylitol is also found in some sugar free candy, chewable vitamins, baked goods and peanut butter.

The number of products are on the rise and the ASPCA's poison control center is reporting increased calls about the substance, from 82 in 2004, to more than 3,700 last year.

Some experts are calling for warning labels on products that use Xylitol, but until then, doctors like Ashley Gallagher of Friendship
Hospital say owners need to take matters into their own hands.

"You just have to be really careful because dogs are nosy little creatures and they're hungry all of the time. You have to really watch them."

Sam and Jordan, though, will never take a chance again.

"With a lot of things like candy, gum and peanut butter, we check all of them and if they have Xylitol in it, we won't buy them," Samantha says.