NE Valley Times

Congressman David Schweikert has introduced the Paws Off Act of 2025, a bipartisan legislative effort aimed at enhancing pet safety through improved labeling requirements. The proposed bill seeks to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by mandating that foods containing xylitol be considered mislabeled unless they include a warning about the chemical's toxic effects on pets.

Xylitol is increasingly present in various food products such as mints, baked goods, desserts, vitamins, and gum. This lack of proper labeling poses a risk to pet owners who may unknowingly expose their animals to potentially lethal substances.

The issue gained attention following a petition from 11-year-old Ahana Kameshwar. She shared the story of her dog Loki's death due to ingesting melatonin pills containing xylitol without clear dosage information. "We had Loki for about five years," Ahana explained. "One day... he got into a bottle of melatonin pills... Those pills... had 250 milligrams of xylitol in each tablet." After consuming approximately 85 tablets, Loki suffered liver failure and was euthanized.

Ahana's mother, Bhaavna Kameshwar, emphasized the importance of clear labeling: "Having clear cut labels is very, very important to ensure."

Rep. Schweikert highlighted the simplicity yet significance of this legislative measure: “We have been working tirelessly to move this simple, yet impactful piece of legislation through Congress.”

Sara Amundson from the Humane Society Legislative Fund expressed support for the initiative: “More than 83 million American homes include at least one pet... We salute Rep. Schweikert and his bipartisan cosponsors for providing better guardrails against toxic reactions through the Paws Off Act.”

Data from Pet Poison Helpline indicates that between 2015 and 2020, calls regarding xylitol poisoning increased by 108 percent. In 2023, it was ranked as the fourth most common exposure call.