Schweikert Bill Would Protect Pets From Xylitol
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Congressman David Schweikert has introduced a new bill to promote new product labeling requirements to improve pet safety. The new law, if enacted, would amend the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require foods containing the chemical xylitol to be labeled identifying the toxic properties of the chemical in pets or be declared mislabeled.
Schweikert explained in a press release that the bipartisan Paws Off Act of 2025 originates from a petition launched by 11-year-old Ahana Kameshwar. Schweikert and his staff were informed by Kameshwar of the tragic death of her loyal dog Loki.
Xylitol is an additive found in various foods such as mints, baked goods, desserts, vitamins, and gum which can be lethal to pets. A lack of appropriate labeling on these products can make it difficult for owners to be aware of this danger.
In her petition, Ahana said that Loki had died due to this lack of labeling. Schweikert held a video conference with Ahana and listened to her experience.
“We had Loki for about five years. One day, after we got back from our summer trip, he got into a bottle of melatonin pills that we forgot to put away while [un]packing,” she told the congressman. “Those pills, they had 250 milligrams of xylitol in each tablet. Here’s the problem; the xylitol was listed, but the dosage wasn’t. Loki [ingested] about 85 tablets. His liver started failing and ultimately, we had to put him down.”
The congressman’s office elaborated that millions of American families could be unaware of the potential danger to their pets presented by xylitol exposure. Citing the Poison Pet Helpline, they note that such exposures are not limited to food and typically involve medication, supplements, dental products, and skin care products.
This assessment was confirmed by Dr. Renee Schmid and Dr. Ahna Brutlag who wrote, “When dogs eat xylitol, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing the pancreas to release insulin, resulting in a rapid increase in insulin levels in the blood. This rapid insulin increase causes a profound drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) as soon as 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. If untreated, hypoglycemia can cause seizures and can be life-threatening. Ingestion of higher levels of xylitol leads to increased liver enzymes within 12 to 48 hours of ingestion, and liver failure within 24 to 48 hours.”
In her petition, Ahana wrote, “Xylitol is very dangerous to dogs, and we need to make others aware. [I] ask Congress to strengthen the PAWS Off Act so that no other families have to lose their pets the way I lost mine. We can save so many pets by making these changes!”
Analysis by Congressional researchers found that “Surveys by ADDA suggest almost 50% of US households have one or more dogs, estimating 78 million dogs owned by Americans in total. Despite FDA awareness campaign efforts, nearly 50% of pet owners are unaware of the dangers xylitol poses to their dogs.”
In a statement on the bill, Schweikert wrote, “We have been working tirelessly to move this simple, yet impactful piece of legislation through Congress. The damage of these sugar alcohols is truly lethal for our pets and furry companions. All it takes is a simple labeling fix to prevent more people from enduring the heartache that Ahana went through, and better yet, to save the lives of animals across America.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.