I’m a big fan of xylitol in my toothpaste and sugar-free gum. It’s actually good for your teeth. So my ears perked up years ago when I heard that just like chocolate, xylitol is toxic to dogs and cats, and I should never leave my gum or toothpaste lying around where my pets could get at them. Not a problem.
Then why on earth is Virbac Animal Health, a so-called “industry leader in the scientific research, development and manufacture of quality, proven pet pharmaceutical products” for OVER TWO DECADES, selling a product for dogs and cats that lists xylitol as the 3rd ingredient after water and glycerine!? I am shocked.
The product is called CET AquaDent, and it’s a drinking water additive for dogs and cats. It’s supposed to help keep their breath fresh in conjunction with brushing.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center sees over 100 cases of xylitol toxicity annually. According to the center, dogs ingesting significant amounts of items sweetened with xylitol could develop a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures.”
With smaller concentrations of xylitol, the onset of clinical signs could be delayed as much as 12 hours after ingestion,” according to a 2006 press release from the center.
That was four years ago, Virbac. Shame on you.
In September, we’ll be giving away a pet oral health kit from Naturally Green Tropiclean, including a similar water additive and teeth cleaning gel, neither of which contains xylitol. Stay tuned!
Thank you so much for this information, I had no idea. Just checked my dogs food and treats and no sign of xylitol. I will be sure toi check all ingredients from now on.
Looks like xylitol is still #3 on the ingredient list as of August 2011!
Why don’t they make it without that ingredient? I think I’ve read elsewhere that it may reduce bacteria in human mouths & help prevent throat infections.
If it’s only there for flavoring, they should remove it. Cats can’t even taste sweet things.
(The links in your post are dead.)
Virbac U.S.A. link, http://www.virbacvet.com/Home-USA.aspx
C.E.T. link, http://www.virbacvet.com/products/DentalHealth/RinsesandFoams/C.E.T.AQUADENTDRINKINGWATERADDITIVE.aspx
MTS data sheet link, , http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/geriatric-cats/
Updated link: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/
Xylitol may or may not be toxic to dogs in high concentration, but this product should only be intended for cats. It improves their oral hygiene & prevents plaque build up. Of course you should always use caution when supplementing your pets diet. The sweetness of it is not the point, its about making sure your kitty has the healthiest mouth possible. I would never give it to a dog though, just to be on the safe side.
Please be reminded that this product is not at all safe and does nothing to remove or prevents plaque build up. It is as good as tap water and the marketer of this product knew it all along. So it is up to you to give a product that can be unsafe to the pets with no benefits!!!
You are correct. I was told by a confidential source that the company conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of this product in dogs and the study showed that the product was as good as tap water in preventing any thing but was also toxic. The company initially had claims in labels claiming that they had data on file and later removed those false claims for obvious reasons well known to them. It is so unethical for a company to willfully resort to misleading advertisement to help their bottom line. Do not trust any of their products.
I just found your blog about Xylitol and am concerned. My small dog, 15 lbs, has been using C. E. T. Aquadent for 5 or 6 months. I will check with my vet and see what is going on. My dog seems OK most of the time but once in a while she will seem to stumble a little on her back feet. Is this something to be concerned about? Thank you for your attention
Hopefully you’ll stop using the Aquadent before you see the vet. Stumbling on the back feet could be a neurological issue and as I write in the post, a symptom of toxicity is a loss of coordination. Better be safe than sorry and stop using it!
I was told by a Vet that this product is not at all effective but can also be toxic to dogs and cats. Initially Virbac made claims that they had data on file demonstrating the effectiveness of this product and for some obvious reasons they decided to withdraw the statement of effectiveness claims. The fact is that they may have studies on file that show the product is not at all effective (may be toxic) and do not want to admit that. Several readers have commented that the product is not effective and the distributor knew this all along but decided to go ahead with the misleading label claims.
It is true that this product is not all effective but could also be harmful to the dogs. Thank you for all the updates. The company should withdraw the product from the market like the recalled Iverhart plus and Max.
true
ok
My 5-year old Brittany, who has always been perfectly healthy, had a terrifying seizure last night. On the recommendation of our vet, we began adding Aquadent to our dogs water a month ago. I’m furious!!!!
My dog liked drinking his water when I would add the c.e.t. drinking additive.
When I stopped at the vets to purchase another bottle, they didn’t have the same kind.
So I bought what they had, called BreathaLyser Plus..imrex. He would barely drink his
water. I was searching to buy the c.e.t., and read this eye opening info.
I also checked this BreathaLyser Plus, by imrex, and one of the ingredients was xylitol.
Another was FD&C blue #1. Glad to know, but extremely surprised vets office’s cell
these toxic products to make a buck!!! Would like to find something safe, effective
and no added chemicals or preservatives. I’ll stick to brushing for now.