Business
truInsights into Xylitol: The Dangers Behind Common Sugar Substitutes for Pets
truInsights is a data focused initiative introduced by Trupanion and designed to deliver valuable health-related data and insights to pet parents,
About this update from Trupanion, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"truInsights is a data focused initiative introduced by Trupanion and designed to deliver valuable health-related data and insights to pet parents, veterinarians and pet lovers alike.\nSEATTLE, Aug. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xylitol, also known as birch sugar, wood sugar, or birch bark extract, is a sugar substitute product commonly found in foods labeled “sugar free”, “no sugar added”, “reduced sugar”, “diabetic friendly” and other related products. Though the ingredient is safe for humans1, ingestion of even a small amount of this sweetener can be deadly for dogs and cats. With over 20 years of pet health data, Trupanion, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRUP), the leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs, has explored its veterinary invoice data to look at data trends for xylitol related claims and provides details on the toxicity of xylitol for pets and prevention tips for keeping them safe. Why is Xylitol Dangerous for Pets? When ingested by cats and dogs, xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure, and even death. Pets absorb the sugar substitute rapidly, which causes an exaggerated release of insulin from the pancreas 3-7 times higher than normally released to metabolize regular sugar. The excessive insulin then enters the bloodstream and causes a severe low blood sugar response (hypoglycemia) within a few minutes to an hour after ingestion. This large drop in blood sugar and release of insulin from the pancreas can also cause liver damage that may be permanent or even fatal. Even very small amounts can be significantly harmful. As little as 0.1 g/kg can cause hypoglycemia, and 0.25-0.5 g/kg can cause liver damage. Most chewing gum contains anywhere from 0.2-1.0 grams of xylitol per piece, so a single piece of gum can cause hypoglycemia in a 20lb. dog, and 2-4 pieces of gum could cause liver damage or liver failure. Trupanion Data Trends on Xylitol In looking at Trupanion North American data from 2019 to 2023, Trupanion saw 1,927 total xylitol related claims, with 385 claims each year on average. The average claim amount for xylitol was $733, while the highest claim we saw was $4,365, a Morkie in Massachusetts in 2022. Most of our xylitol claims occur between December to March, with two other high points in August and October. Top 5 Dog Breeds Claiming for Xylitol Labrador RetrieverAustralian ...