Updated
Small mammal food safety
Can Small Mammals Eat Xylitol Gum?
Unsafe
No. Xylitol gum is unsafe for small mammals. If gum, gum crumbs, a wrapper, or a sugar-free gum product was chewed or swallowed, remove access and call an exotic-pet veterinarian or poison hotline.
Xylitol gumCall before guessing
If any small mammal chewed or swallowed xylitol gum, sugar-free gum, gum crumbs, or wrapper pieces, call an exotic-pet veterinarian or poison hotline with the species, weight, product, amount, time, and symptoms.
Guinea pigs
Call if exposed
Do not feed xylitol gum to guinea pigs. If xylitol gum, sugar-free gum, gum crumbs, or wrapper pieces were chewed or swallowed, remove access and call with the species, weight, product, amount, time, ingredients, and symptoms.
Syrian and dwarf hamsters
Call if exposed
Do not feed xylitol gum to Syrian and dwarf hamsters. If xylitol gum, sugar-free gum, gum crumbs, or wrapper pieces were chewed or swallowed, remove access and call with the species, weight, product, amount, time, ingredients, and symptoms.
Rats
Call if exposed
Do not feed xylitol gum to rats. If xylitol gum, sugar-free gum, gum crumbs, or wrapper pieces were chewed or swallowed, remove access and call with the species, weight, product, amount, time, ingredients, and symptoms.
Mice
Call if exposed
Do not feed xylitol gum to mice. If xylitol gum, sugar-free gum, gum crumbs, or wrapper pieces were chewed or swallowed, remove access and call with the species, weight, product, amount, time, ingredients, and symptoms.
Gerbils
Call if exposed
Do not feed xylitol gum to gerbils. If xylitol gum, sugar-free gum, gum crumbs, or wrapper pieces were chewed or swallowed, remove access and call with the species, weight, product, amount, time, ingredients, and symptoms.
Chinchillas
Call if exposed
Do not feed xylitol gum to chinchillas. If xylitol gum, sugar-free gum, gum crumbs, or wrapper pieces were chewed or swallowed, remove access and call with the species, weight, product, amount, time, ingredients, and symptoms.
Ferrets
Call if exposed
Do not feed xylitol gum to ferrets. If xylitol gum, sugar-free gum, gum crumbs, or wrapper pieces were chewed or swallowed, remove access and call with the species, weight, product, amount, time, ingredients, and symptoms.
Save the label
The ingredient list matters. Xylitol, other sugar alcohols, caffeine, nicotine, mint oils, and wrapper pieces all change the call details.
Gum is also physical
Sticky gum and wrappers can create mouth, fur, paw, or swallowing problems. Remove access and call before trying home cleanup.
If exposure happened
- Remove gum pieces, crumbs, wrappers, foil, packaging, sticky residue, and any contaminated bedding or toys.
- Keep the animal contained and calm while you call an exotic-pet veterinarian or poison hotline.
- Save the package or ingredient list and note whether xylitol, other sugar alcohols, caffeine, nicotine, or mint oils are listed.
Avoid
- Xylitol gum, sugar-free gum, mint gum, coated gum, gum wrappers, foil strips, sticky gum on paws or fur, and gum hidden in bags or pockets.
- Pulling sticky gum from fur or the mouth harshly instead of getting professional instructions.
- Waiting because the animal only chewed a small corner.
Helpful food-safety supplies
Optional tools for measuring, storing, serving, and cleaning up small portions safely.
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