Adorable Dog Killed By Eating Cupcake: Warning For Pet Owners

ALAMEDA, CA — Little Benny, a two-year-old dog in Alameda, died last Monday after eating a cupcake out of the family's compost. The culprit: a sugar substitute called xylitol. Benny's death has prompted officials with the city of Alameda to issue an alert about the sweetener to save other families from the heartbreak that Benny's owners are feeling.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, when dogs eat something that contains xylitol it gets
absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and may result in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas, which can be life-threatening. The reaction can take place in as little as 10 to 60 minutes.

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that may be found in products including peanut butter, ice cream, pudding, gum, chocolate, mints, baked goods, cough syrup, vitamins, mouthwash and toothpaste.

Dr. Michael Miller at the Providence Veterinary Hospital & Clinic in Alameda said, "Keep a close eye on ingredient lists of household products. The sugar substitute xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs and is being added to a longer and longer list of products, including chewing gum, breath mints, peanut butter and even nasal sprays."

Miller said, "It's best to avoid xylitol completely and use other sugar substitutes. If you cannot avoid using products containing xylitol, then make absolutely sure they are stored safely out of reach of your pets."

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According to the FDA, symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, followed by symptoms associated with the sudden lowering of a dog's blood sugar, such as decreased activity, weakness, staggering, lack of coordination, collapse and seizures.

FDA officials said dog owners who think their dogs have eaten xylitol should take them to their vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately.

-Image via City of Alameda

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