[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/artificial-sweeteners-and-pets\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/artificial-sweeteners-and-pets\/","headline":"Artificial Sweeteners and Pets","name":"Artificial Sweeteners and Pets","description":"By now, pet owners are well aware that chocolate is bad for pets. The dangers of allowing pets to consume xylitol (a sugar substitute) is also becoming more widely known \u2013 and for good reason. Xylitol, which is commonly found in sugar-free candy, baked goods, gum, and other products, can lead to a life-threatening drop […]","datePublished":"2019-03-20","dateModified":"2025-01-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/author\/ceastwayadvance360-com\/#Person","name":"chris","url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/author\/ceastwayadvance360-com\/","identifier":3,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"West Park Animal Hospital","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/westhospitallogo.png","url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/westhospitallogo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/iStock-576897490-1024x683-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/iStock-576897490-1024x683-1.jpg","height":683,"width":1024},"url":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/artificial-sweeteners-and-pets\/","about":["Blog","Dog Health"],"wordCount":497,"articleBody":"By now, pet owners are well aware that chocolate is bad for pets. The dangers of allowing pets to consume xylitol (a sugar substitute) is also becoming more widely known \u2013 and for good reason. Xylitol, which is commonly found in sugar-free candy, baked goods, gum, and other products, can lead to a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and kidney failure in dogs.Sugar is in practically everything we eat, but the popularity of low-carb and keto diets has led many people to seek out sugar alternatives. Sugar alcohols, like erythritol and plant-based sweeteners such as stevia, have exploded onto the market, and they can be purchased almost anywhere.Here at West Park Animal Hospital, we\u2019re always on the lookout for potential new pet toxins, and considering artificial sweeteners and pets is an important part of our ongoing research. The Facts About Artificial Sweeteners and PetsArtificial sweeteners are food additives that provide a sweet taste but without the excess calories of sugar. We\u2019ve broken down the most common artificial sweeteners on the market and their effects on pets:Erythritol \u2013 This sugar alcohol is industrially produced, and its versatility makes it a popular choice for followers of low-carb and keto diets. Studies have found erythritol is safe for dogs.Aspartame \u2013 Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar, so it can be used in much smaller amounts. Products containing aspartame can cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort in pets.Sucralose \u2013 Sold under the brand name Splenda, sucralose holds up well in baked goods, and it can be found in diet beverages and other items. It\u2019s not toxic to pets, but there is evidence that overconsumption can lead to gastrointestinal upset.Stevia \u2013 Stevia is a popular sugar substitute produced from the leaves of the South American plant stevia rebaudiana. Studies have not found stevia to be toxic to dogs, but eating too much may cause diarrhea.Monk fruit sweetener \u2013 Monk fruit, also known as lo han guo, is a small, round fruit grown in southeast Asia. The fruit\u2019s extract has 150-200 times the sweetness of sugar without the calories, making it a popular choice for those seeking a natural alternative to sugar. The monk fruit plant is not toxic to pets.Saccharine \u2013 Saccharine is the primary ingredient in Sweet\u2018N Low and is mainly found in diet drinks, drink mixes, salad dressings, and canned fruits labeled \u201clight.\u201d Although this ingredient isn\u2019t toxic to pets, gastrointestinal upset can occur.The Bottom LineAlthough sugar substitutes are relatively safe for pets (with the obvious exception of xylitol), artificially sweetened foods have no place in a pet\u2019s diet. It\u2019s best to provide your companion with a high-quality, age appropriate pet food along with an occasional healthy treat, such as plain cooked veggies or (pet-friendly) fresh fruit.If you have additional questions regarding artificial sweeteners and pets, please don\u2019t hesitate to contact our staff.The post Artificial Sweeteners and Pets appeared first on West Park Animal Hospital Blog."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Pet Resources","item":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Artificial Sweeteners and Pets","item":"https:\/\/wpahcle.com\/pet-resources\/blog\/artificial-sweeteners-and-pets\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]