Our dogs have a way of getting what they want when it comes to food. We’re all guilty of giving them something extra from time to time because honestly, who can resist those puppy eyes? But there are things that we simply can’t hand out to our dogs because it’s bad for them. In this listicle, we will look into a few food items that are toxic to our dogs and what signs we will see if they are poisoned. Without further delay, let’s begin.
12. Onions And Garlic
Alliums are plants that contain disulphides and thiosulfinates which destroy a dog’s red blood cells. Onions and garlic fall under this category of plants and contain these chemicals as well. These ingredients can be found in most home-cooked or pre-packaged meals, sauces, or baby food so always check the ingredients. Don’t worry too much as dogs recover well from this kind of poisoning when treated early. If your dog displays vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration among other symptoms, they might have eaten onions and garlic.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
11. Avocado
Avocado is a fruit we use as a substitute for mayonnaise which we add to our salads and sandwiches. However, avocados contain persin which is a chemical that causes stomach aches, vomiting, and constipation in dogs. While the flesh of this fruit can be harmless, it is the seeds and leaves that have a concentrated amount of persin. Additionally, the seed is a choking hazard and should not be given to dogs.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Stomach ache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
10. Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are a popular ingredient for desserts and baked goods. While it is edible for us humans, it could lead to macadamia poisoning in dogs. The toxic component of these nuts is still unknown, and they only affect dogs, so it’s better to avoid them just to be safe. Some signs that your dog will exhibit when affected by macadamia poisoning are fever, lethargy, vomiting, difficulty in standing, and more.
Symptoms of Poisoning:
- Stiff joints and inability to stand
- Vomiting
- Muscle spasms
- Fever
9. Salt
Dogs need a small amount of salt in their body, just like us, but large amounts are harmful to them as well. If your dog ingests too much salt and drinks water to wash it down most of the time, he will be okay, but if he doesn’t have access to water, problems might occur. Eating too much salt can cause nausea, dehydration, weakness, diarrhea, and muscle spasms. High amounts of salt can be found in packaged condiments like soy sauce and ketchup, play dough, chips, and more.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Muscle spasms
- Increased heart rate
- Fever
- Nausea
8. Xylitol
Xylitol is a popular sugar substitute that can be found in gums, baked products, and chewable vitamins. When ingested by humans, it doesn’t stimulate the release of insulin, but in dogs, it is absorbed fast and releases a large amount of insulin, which can lower their blood sugar quickly. When blood sugar drops to a certain level your dog will get weak and can even collapse. In addition, a large amount of Xylitol can cause irreversible liver damage to your pet.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Lethargy
- Lack of coordination
- Collapse
- Vomiting
7. Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant, and it gives us energy for our daily activities or it helps us stay awake. Caffeine is found in beverages like coffee, energy drinks, sodas, and even in medications. When ingested by dogs, their heart rate goes up, they act restless, and they drink large amounts of water. In some cases, they can have seizures as well.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Heart rate is up
- Restlessness
- Excessive thirst
- Intense panting
6. Raw Dough
Never give your dog raw dough, as it can cause them extreme pain when eaten. Raw dough is made of yeast, which makes it rise and increase in volume, and this process can still continue to grow even inside your dog’s tummy, which can cause stomach aches or even death in extreme cases. Also, the dough ferments and produces alcohol, which can also lead to alcohol poisoning in your dogs.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Swelling of the stomach
- Weakness
- Collapse
- Signs of extreme pain like whimpering and crying
5. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a common ingredient used for baking, containing a chemical called myristicin used for insecticides. This harmful chemical can cause drastic reactions in your dog, which include disorientation, high blood pressure, stomach aches, or seizures. While nutmeg can be harmless when taken in small amounts, your dog should avoid it altogether.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Lack of coordination
- Muscle Spasms
- Disorientation
- Dry mouth
RELATED: 10 Emergencies Every Dog Owner Must Understand
4. Grapes And Raisins
Grapes are a healthy snack we all enjoy, but they can cause problems for your furry friend when ingested. While it is unknown what makes it toxic to dogs, and most cases have been successful, we must avoid the risk by not giving this fruit to them. If your dog has eaten grapes, they will display signs like weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, and can even lead to kidney failure. When kidney failure begins, your dog will have difficulty urinating, excessive thirst, dehydration, and lethargy.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Lethargy
- Excessive thirst
- Difficulty urinating
- weakness
3. Chocolate
This is probably the most well-known toxic food to dogs and other animals. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can induce increased heart rate, high blood pressure, seizures, and even death in dogs when taken in its purest form and large amounts. Remember that the darker the chocolate is, the more dangerous it is for your dog. When your dog displays signs like vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, and shivering, he could be affected by chocolate poisoning.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shivering
- Restlessness
2. Alcohol
Alcohol poisoning happens when your dog swallows a substance that contains alcohol or when it’s absorbed through the skin. Products like baked goods for example fruit cake, alcoholic drinks, hand sanitizers, and ink, among other things, should be out of reach for your dog as even small amounts could be fatal. When your dog exhibits vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation, and weakness, it could indicate that they are affected by alcohol poisoning.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Excessive salivation
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Shivering
RELATED: 12 Signs Your Dog Is Sick That You’re Ignoring
1. Raw Meat
We all know dogs can handle raw food, especially meat, and it could even be beneficial for them. However, raw meat can still be dangerous as it could be the breeding ground for certain bacteria like salmonella and E. Coli. Food poisoning is one of the most common kinds of sickness in dogs, and in most cases, the dog can bounce back, but in extreme cases, it’s fatal. This is why this is more dangerous than the other things on this list, as we could unknowingly put our dogs in harm’s way without even realizing it.
Symptoms Of Poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Shivering
From The Club
As dog parents, it is important that we watch what we give our pets and stick to the things we know are safe for them. If your dog exhibits any signs from this list, bring them to the vet immediately to be examined and treated. By being aware of what they eat will ensure that they stay healthy and happy all throughout their lives and stay with us.