There is an important news for dog lovers and especially for those who have these furry friends. A sweetener called Xylitol used in some sugarless gum and other products is dangerous for dogs. It can cause them low blood pressure, seizures and liver failure.

This sweetener is fine to be used by humans, but not by dogs. Xylitol is not only used in sugar-free gum, but also in some sugar-free candies, chewable vitamins, even some baked goods and peanut butter. In fact, a rise has been witnessed in the number of products containing this sweetener.

If there has been an increase in the number of products having this sweetener, number of calls to the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center has also increased from 82 in 2004 to over 3,700 in 2014. This has led some animal welfare groups to ask for putting up warning labels on products having Xylitol.

Dr. Ashley Gallagher with the Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington D.C., has suggested that dog owners should be quite watchful. "You just have to be really careful because dogs are nosy little creatures and they are hungry all the time. I know my dogs are, and they are just looking for a treat. So you have to really watch them", affirmed Gallagher.

Dr. Gallagher has recommended that dog owners should make sure to keep products having Xylitol in the top shelf, so they remain out of the reach of their pets.