Is Sorbitol Safe for Dogs?

Looking at the back of any food container, you might be overwhelmed by all the long, hard-to-read ingredients. And while some are completely safe for dogs, others can prove toxic. We know that some artificial sweeteners like xylitol are highly toxic for our four-legged friends, but what about the similar-sounding ingredient sorbitol?

Is sorbitol safe for dogs? Yes, sorbitol is safe for dogs in small amounts. Learn more about sorbitol and other similar ingredients below.

What is Sorbitol?

Sorbitol is a plant-based sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in many products, including toothpaste, mouthwash, laxatives, sugar-free foods, and other medications. It naturally occurs in fruits like blackberries, apples, raspberries, cherries, peaches, plums, strawberries, apricots, and avocadoes. But it can also be extracted from starches like wheat, corn, and sorghum, from which the food industry primarily gets its sorbitol.

What is Sorbitol Used in?

For humans, sugar alcohols replace traditional sugars in beverages and foods to lower their calorie count; sorbitol is no exception. Due to its laxative capabilities, sorbitol is also used to combat constipation. There are several medications containing sorbitol to alleviate these issues.

It’s also believed that sorbitol can improve oral health and digestion, hence why it’s an added ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste. Sorbitol is also used in pet toothpaste due to its oral health benefits.

Is Sorbitol Safe for Dogs?

As mentioned above, sorbitol is safe for dogs, but there are some warnings regarding how much a dog should ingest and if they even need it in their products in the first place.

According to the FDA, sorbitol makes their list of Generally Recognized as Safe foods. But the FDA has also stated that the daily intake of sorbitol should not exceed 30 milligrams for humans. The same goes for dogs — while sorbitol is recognized as non-toxic, too much could lead to unwanted symptoms.

Several pet parents report their dogs getting sick or showing signs of discomfort when eating products or using products containing sorbitol. Always keep an eye on your dog when giving any product containing this sugar alternative. And when in doubt, look for options with a list of ingredients that don’t include sweeteners or similar substances.

Effects of Sorbitol on Dogs

While small amounts of sorbitol are safe for dogs, if your furry friend were to ingest too much sorbitol, they may experience symptoms, including:

• Diarrhea: The laxative properties of sorbitol can cause unwanted diarrhea in dogs. If your dog is experiencing constipation, other pet-safe products on the market should be used.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Sorbitol can cause dehydration, nausea, and vomiting in dogs when too much is ingested.
• Abdominal Pain: Large amounts of sorbitol may induce gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Conclusion

Sorbitol is believed to be safe and non-toxic for dogs as long as large amounts are not ingested. Still, many warn that any amount of this sugar alcohol can cause issues in some pups.