Foods that are toxic to dogs
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener used in many sugar-free gums, breath mints, candies and other sugar free foods. Ingestion of Xylitol triggers a sudden release of insulin, which causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). In as little as 30 minutes blood sugar levels can drop 50 points causing shock and liver failure. Xylitol is considered very toxic to dogs and allows a very short window of time to get the dog to a veterinarian for treatment. The symptons/signs or Xylitol poisoning are: lethergy, weakness, tremors, irregular heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, seizures, liver failure and unconsciousness. It is imperative that the dog is given immediate veterinary care. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. After eating large amounts of chocolate, sickness may not be seen for several hours, with death following within twenty-four hours. Symptoms include staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, arrhythmia, seizures, coma, death. Cocoa powder and Cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms of chocolate. A 20 pound dog can be seriously affected if it eats a quarter of a 250gm packet of cocoa powder or half of a 250gm block of cooking chocolate. These forms of chocolate contain ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Thus, a chocolate mud cake could be a real health risk for a small dog. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a cake can make a dog unwell. Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate are the next most dangerous forms, with milk chocolate being the least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250gm block of milk chocolate to be affected. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the less it needs to eat.
Onions and Garlic
Onions contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger. Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop hemolytic anemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body. Symptoms include Hemolytic Anemia, labored breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea, discolored urine. The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion. All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness. While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.
Mushrooms
Mushroom toxicity does occur in dogs and it can be fatal if certain species of mushrooms are eaten. Amanita phalloides is the most commonly reported severely toxic species of mushroom in the US but other Amanita species are toxic. Symptoms include abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting diarrhea, convulsions, coma, death.
Grapes and Raisins
As few as a handful of raisins or grapes can make a dog ill; however, of the 10 cases reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), each dog ingested between 9 ounces and 2 pounds of grapes or raisins. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are another concern, along with most other kinds of nuts. Their high phosphorus content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones. Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.
Baby Foods
Certain baby foods can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. Baby food can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
Fish Bones
Fish bones can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Cat Food
Cat food is generally too high in protein and fats.
Meat Fat Trimmings
These can cause pancreatitis. This is a life-threatening ailment so emergency care is necessary if you suspect you dog may be showing symptoms.
Milk and Dairy Foods
Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Raw Eggs
Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
Raw Fish
Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener used in many sugar-free gums, breath mints, candies and other sugar free foods. Ingestion of Xylitol triggers a sudden release of insulin, which causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). In as little as 30 minutes blood sugar levels can drop 50 points causing shock and liver failure. Xylitol is considered very toxic to dogs and allows a very short window of time to get the dog to a veterinarian for treatment. The symptons/signs or Xylitol poisoning are: lethergy, weakness, tremors, irregular heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, seizures, liver failure and unconsciousness. It is imperative that the dog is given immediate veterinary care. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. After eating large amounts of chocolate, sickness may not be seen for several hours, with death following within twenty-four hours. Symptoms include staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, arrhythmia, seizures, coma, death. Cocoa powder and Cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms of chocolate. A 20 pound dog can be seriously affected if it eats a quarter of a 250gm packet of cocoa powder or half of a 250gm block of cooking chocolate. These forms of chocolate contain ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Thus, a chocolate mud cake could be a real health risk for a small dog. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a cake can make a dog unwell. Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate are the next most dangerous forms, with milk chocolate being the least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250gm block of milk chocolate to be affected. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the less it needs to eat.
Onions and Garlic
Onions contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger. Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop hemolytic anemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body. Symptoms include Hemolytic Anemia, labored breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea, discolored urine. The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion. All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness. While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.
Mushrooms
Mushroom toxicity does occur in dogs and it can be fatal if certain species of mushrooms are eaten. Amanita phalloides is the most commonly reported severely toxic species of mushroom in the US but other Amanita species are toxic. Symptoms include abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting diarrhea, convulsions, coma, death.
Grapes and Raisins
As few as a handful of raisins or grapes can make a dog ill; however, of the 10 cases reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), each dog ingested between 9 ounces and 2 pounds of grapes or raisins. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are another concern, along with most other kinds of nuts. Their high phosphorus content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones. Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.
Baby Foods
Certain baby foods can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. Baby food can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
Fish Bones
Fish bones can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Cat Food
Cat food is generally too high in protein and fats.
Meat Fat Trimmings
These can cause pancreatitis. This is a life-threatening ailment so emergency care is necessary if you suspect you dog may be showing symptoms.
Milk and Dairy Foods
Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Raw Eggs
Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
Raw Fish
Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.
Source: www.entirelypets.com