Is chewing gum toxic to gliders? The answer is yes - some of it is! It is actually the sugar free sweetener in some chewing gum products that can be toxic. The toxic ingredient is called "Xylitol". Many pet owners have no idea about this.

If you think your glider has ingested sugar free gum or ANYTHING with

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Xylitol

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in it, a vet visit is required. The main symptom to look for is acting lethargic. If blood work is done - the blood sugar lever will be low which is a common side effect of "Xylitol". "Xylitol" cannot only cause temporary low blood sugar, but it can also cause liver problems.

"Xylitol" is commonly found in sugar-free gum, candies and some baked goods. It seems some pets are more sensitive to it than others. The exact amount that needs to be ingested to cause problems is still being determined. Signs can develop quickly. So yes, something as simple as your glider eating a piece of your gum can create an emergency situation for the glider which will result in a huge vet bill.

Check your sugar free drinks, gum, candies, jello, baked goods etc. If it has this ingredient in it - dont share it with your gliders - or any of your animals.

Mine got at a piece of my gum but it was regular sugary gum- phew! Sometimes diet and sugar free things are more dangerous than just eating regular sweets in moderation...

I think all tridents contain xylitol, which is what neo got a hold of from me one day but he didn't ingest it.

I guess if i get bored enough at work i can go through all the gums and let you guys know what is in it.

This is also the ingredient that causes diarrhea in humans in large doses. It is used as stool softener in adults and is added to sugar free gum as a substance that "looks and tastes like sugar." These symptoms in humans usually come about when they are trying to quite smoking and substitute packs of gum a day for packs of cigarettes. So it can harm both your sugar glider and you. I myself stay away from all that "fake" stuff.

Most people who are allergic to "sugar-free" products are allergic to this specific artificial sweetener. I have a friend who can't chew sugar-free gum because the xylitol gives her migraines.