Vets are seeing a spike in the number of dogs being poisoned after eating discarded nicotine pouches, The Grocer can exclusively reveal.
UK animal poison centre the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) said it has fielded 43 emergency enquiries about the accidental ingestion of nicotine pouches in dogs in the first six months of this year. There were 29 cases through the whole of 2024.
Nicotine pouches are small, tobacco-free, mini-teabag like products containing nicotine and flavourings, which are placed between the gum and lip, allowing nicotine to be absorbed into the bloodstream without the vapour or smoke.
Their use is becoming more common: the UK nicotine pouch market nearly doubled in 2024, growing by 95% year-on-year, according to research by Haypp. But that growth has seen more pouches littered after use – and gobbled up from the ground by curious dogs.
The risk to dogs comes not from the nicotine content, which is “generally not an issue as it is poorly absorbed from the stomach” of pets, said VPIS research lead Nicola Bates, but the xylitol in the product, which is used as a sweetener.
Ingesting the sugar substitute, even in small amounts, can lead to seizures in dogs and potentially prove fatal.
In humans, xylitol does not stimulate the release of insulin, but in dogs, the pancreas “will confuse it with real sugar, which makes it release more insulin” says veterinary care charity Blue Cross. The insulin then removes the real sugar in the body, “leading to plummeting blood sugar levels” (hypoglycaemia).
“Another reaction to xylitol is liver failure and this is even more serious,” the charity’s advice states.
After ingesting xylitol, dogs typically develop symptoms within 30 minutes, which can include: vomiting, lethargy, weakness or lack of coordination, tremors or seizures and collapse.
“Delays in veterinary intervention can cause further complications, irreversible damage and increase the likelihood of xylitol poisoning becoming fatal,” Blue Cross says.
Xylitol is contained in a wide range of products, including baking and pudding mixes, cakes and buns, sugar-free chewing gum and mints, flavoured waters, jams and honey, protein bars, toothpaste and mouthwash, jelly sweets, peanut butter, cosmetics and baby wipes.
However, since nicotine pouches are often discarded on the ground outdoors, there is more risk of a dog eating one.
“To prevent accidental ingestion, we would advise that these products are stored safely, out of sight and reach of pets and children. They should also be disposed of safely and securely,” Bates said.
The VPIS is also calling on pouch manufacturers to show the xylitol content on packaging and their websites.
“The amount of xylitol is often not available on these products, which makes risk assessment difficult and means we may have to recommend treatment for these pets. We contact the manufacturers to obtain information about the xylitol content in specific products but is this often not available until after the event,” Bates said.
Last month, UK regulatory consultancy Arcus Compliance published the first ‘Assured Advice’ for nicotine pouch packaging sold in England. The advice, developed in partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards, provides “a definitive framework for businesses seeking clarity on the legal packaging requirements for nicotine pouches in England”.
“With the growing scrutiny on nicotine pouch products in the UK, this assured advice will play a vital role in raising product standards, enhancing consumer safety, and supporting fair enforcement practices nationwide,” said Robert Sidebottom, managing director at Arcus Compliance.
The consultancy is looking at updating the guidance to pouch brands to include a note on packaging that used pouches should be disposed of in a bin.
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