Arizona Congressman Pushes for Warning Labels on Dog-Toxic Chemical in Foods
Arizona’s legislative landscape is seeing an important shift as Congressman David Schweikert has proposed a new bill targeting pet safety. The legislation, introduced last Tuesday, seeks to address the dangers posed to dogs by a chemical found in certain food items, which can lead to severe health issues.
The proposed Paws Off Act of 2025 aims to enforce labeling requirements for foods containing xylitol, a sweetener known to cause liver damage and hypoglycemia in dogs. If the bill passes, any food product containing xylitol, such as peanut butter and sugar-free gum, must come with a warning about its toxic effects on dogs. More details on xylitol can be found on the FDA website.
According to Tina Wismer, a senior director at the Animal Poison Control Center of the ASPCA, symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs can include vomiting and seizures. Wismer emphasized the importance of being vigilant about ingredient labels, especially with common household items like melatonin, which may contain xylitol. “It’s all about reading those labels and keeping the things away from pets,” she advised.
In 2024 alone, the Animal Poison Control Center received over 10,000 calls regarding xylitol ingestion by dogs, with more than 250 of those calls originating from Arizona. Despite these alarming figures, Wismer noted the absence of warning labels indicating the potential danger of xylitol to dogs.
This is not Schweikert’s first attempt to introduce such legislation. In early 2023, he proposed a similar bill aimed at preventing the sale of xylitol-containing foods without appropriate warnings. However, that bill stalled after being referred to the Subcommittee on Health in February 2023. More information on the past bill can be found here.
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