With humans on a mission to avoid sugar, the use of xylitol in peanut butter, other foods, and household goods are on the rise. The artificial sweetener looks and tastes like sugar, but has fewer calories and won't cause a hike in human blood sugar levels. For dogs, however, xylitol poisoning is a real danger and can be fatal.
Xylitol is rapidly absorbed into your dog's bloodstream, resulting in a potent release of insulin from the canine pancreas. Xylitol poisoning symptoms to look out for include vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, lack of coordination, seizures, and a general decrease in activity due to low blood sugar levels. Contact your vet, emergency clinic, or animal poison control center if you have any concerns about your pet's behavior.