Can cats eat xylitol?
No — and if your cat has already eaten xylitol, call a vet or poison control now rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
Why
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum, mints, baked goods, and some peanut butters. It causes a sudden, dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs and cats.
What to watch for
Vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures, collapse. Symptoms can appear within 15–30 minutes.
What to do
Call now. This is a true emergency — xylitol poisoning moves fast.
For cats specifically:
Xylitol is toxic to cats just as it is to dogs.
If they've already eaten some, don't wait for symptoms
This page is not veterinary advice and is not a diagnosis. It's a general reference for a common food, and it can't account for your pet's size, age, health conditions, medications, or how much they actually ate. Toxicity is almost always about dose. If your pet has eaten something you're worried about — or is showing any symptoms — call your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital, or a poison control hotline right away. Never induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional tells you to.