What are the five most toxic foods for dogs

Human Foods That Are Dangerous for Your Dog

While we consider dogs to be members of our family, feeding them the same food we eat can cause injury to them. Dogs are not used to eating the oily, fatty foods that we do, and they can get diarrhea and upset stomachs from them. Its important to know what foods are toxic to dogs and avoid them.

Chocolate and Caffeine

Its a pretty well-known fact that chocolate is harmful to dogs. Unlike their feline friends, most dogs dont have an off button when it comes to finding food. The amount and type of chocolate your dog consumes determines the symptoms and toxicity level he will experience. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, muscle tremors, irregular heartbeat, high body temperature, seizures and death. The darker the chocolate is (for instance, bakers chocolate or cocoa powder), the more dangerous it is to your puppy. They contain a higher concentration of caffeine and theobromine, both of which cause toxicosis in dogs. Keep your dog away from caffeinated beverages as well. Learn more about the dangers of your dog consuming chocolate here.

Grapes and Raisins

While grapes and raisins are not harmful to some dogs, they have been associated with kidney failure in others. Simply put, its not worth the risk to find out! Vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea can occur within 12 hours of ingestion. If the symptoms are not treated, they can lead to dehydration, decreased appetite and increased urination followed by decreased urination. If your dog has consumed grapes or raisins and these signs occur, take her to a vet immediately. Your dog can develop long-term kidney disease or even die from kidney failure within three to four days.

Alcohol and Raw Bread Dough

Small amounts of alcohol found in drinks, syrups and raw bread dough can be poisonous to dogs. These products contain ethanol, and beer also contains hops, both of which can cause alcohol intoxication. Signs of intoxication include vomiting, disorientation, high body temperature, restlessness, excessive panting, muscle tremors and seizures. Dogs who show signs of alcohol intoxication should be monitored by a vet until they recover, as it can cause failure of the organ systems and even death. The yeast in raw bread dough can also cause stomach expansion, which can result in tissue damage and difficulty breathing.

Xylitol

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in foods like sugarless gum, sugar-free candy and baked goods. It can also be found in toothpaste, mouthwash, chewable vitamins and cough drops. Ingestion can cause a life-threatening drop in your dogs blood sugar, as well as liver damage. Symptoms include vomiting, seizures and loss of coordination, which can occur anywhere from a few minutes to several hours after ingestion. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, a 10-pound dog would only need to eat a single piece of sugar-free gum to reach a potentially toxic dose. Dogs that ingest large amounts of xylitol can also develop liver failure. If you suspect that your dog has consumed anything that might contain Xylitol it is important that you contact your vet immediately.

Onions and Garlic

Anything in the onion familyfrom garlic to shallots to scallions to chivesis toxic to dogs. They contain compounds that can cause gastroenteritis, anemia and serious damage to the red blood cells. Garlic is considered to be five times as potent as onions. Signs of onion or garlic poisoning often do not appear for several days after ingestion, but include lethargy, weakness and orange- to dark red-tinged urine. Japanese breeds of dogs such as Akitas and Shiba Inus tend to be more sensitive to garlic and onions.

Other Foods Harmful to Dogs

Dairy products can upset your dogs digestive system and cause diarrhea as well as food allergies. Ingestion of just a few macadamia nuts can cause weakness, paralysis and lack of coordination. Avocados contain persin, which can cause mild stomach upset in dogs. The bones in meat, chicken and fish can also be very hazardous to your dog. They can splinter and stick in the throat, break teeth or cut the intestines.

If you are unsure if you can feed a food to your dog, always consult your veterinarian first. As a general rule of thumb it is best to avoid feeding your dog human food anyways. While it can be hard to ignore those puppy dog eyes looking at you at the dinner table, feeding your dog can often result in weight gain among other more serious issues. To keep your dog out of harms way, it is best to stick to a diet of food specifically formulated to meet your dogs nutritional needs.

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435

Our Animal Poison Control Center experts have put together a handy list of the top toxic people foods to avoid feeding your pet. As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

AlcoholAlcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death. Under no circumstances should your pet be given any alcohol. If you suspect that your pet has ingested alcohol, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

AvocadoAvocado is primarily a problem for birds, rabbits, donkeys, horses, and ruminants including sheep and goats. The biggest concern is for cardiovascular damage and death in birds and rabbits.Horses, donkeys and ruminants frequently get swollen, edematous head and neck.

Chocolate, Coffee and CaffeineThese products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee, and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

CitrusThe stems, leaves, peels, fruit and seeds of citrus plants contain varying amounts of citric acid, essential oils that can cause irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression if ingested in significant amounts. Small doses, such as eating the fruit, are not likely to present problems beyond minor stomach upset.

Coconut and Coconut OilWhen ingested in small amounts, coconut and coconut-based products are not likely to cause serious harm to your pet. The flesh and milk of fresh coconuts do contain oils that may cause stomach upset, loose stools or diarrhea. Because of this, we encourage you to use caution when offering your pets these foods. Coconut water is high in potassium and should not be given to your pet.

Grapes and RaisinsAlthough the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. Until more information is known about the toxic substance, it is best to avoid feeding grapes and raisins to dogs.

Macadamia NutsMacadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and can last approximately 24 to 48 hours.

Milk and DairyBecause pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other dairy-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

NutsNuts, including almonds, pecans, and walnuts, contain high amounts of oils and fats. The fats can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in pets.

Onions, Garlic, ChivesThese vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage and anemia. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed.

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and BonesRaw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets and humans. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pets digestive tract.

Salt and Salty Snack FoodsLarge amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. As such, we encourage you to avoid feeding salt-heavy snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and salted popcorn to your pets.

XylitolXylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

Yeast DoughYeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pets digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach to bloat, and potentially twist, becoming a life threatening emergency. The yeast produce ethanol as a by-product and a dog ingesting raw bread dough can become drunk (See alcohol).

Which foods are toxic and poisonous to dogs?

Onions, garlic, leek, and chives are commonly used as ingredients in many dishes due to their strong aromatic properties. In dogs, these ingredients can cause anaemia from red blood cell destruction and dogs are highly susceptible to poisoning from human food containing them, even when the food is cooked thoroughly. Common signs of poisoning from these ingredients include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and depression, but dont wait to see! If you think your dog has eaten anything containing these, call their vet ASAP.

Ethanol is an alcohol found in a variety of products, such as alcoholic beverages, medication, perfume, mouthwash, some thermometers, and certain forms of antifreeze. It is also used as a disinfectant and in many hand sanitisers. Usually, ethanol poisoning in dogs comes about as a result of accidental ingestion of alcoholic beverages but can also be due to eating uncooked bread and pizza dough, which contain yeast that metabolizes carbohydrates to ethanol and carbon dioxide. Toxicity causes central nervous system depression, and clinical signs range from lethargy/depression and incoordination to tremors and death.

Grapes and their dried products (raisins, sultanas, and currants) can cause kidney failure in dogs. The fruits may be ingested raw or cooked as ingredients of fruit cake, mince pies, malt loaf, snack bars, scones, and other baked goods. Ingestion of any quantity of these fruits is potentially dangerous, and can result in vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain and even death is kidney failure is severe.

Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which dogs and some other animals struggle to metabolise. Most poisoning cases occur because of chocolate ingestion. Chocolate poisoning episodes are more common around the holidays, particularly Easter or Christmas time when there is a higher occurrence of chocolate products in the home, and most likely, in your office too.Small amounts of theobromine can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, but higher doses can cause seizures and occasionally death. A vet should be able to advise on how serious the situation is based on the size of the dog and the quantity ingested.

Xylitol (also known as E967) is a naturally occurring sweetener that is used in many food products instead of sugar, including sugar-free gum, mints, sweets, and some baked goods and peanut butter. It is also sometimes used in dental products, such as mouthwash and toothpaste. Xylitol can stimulate insulin release in dogs, leading to a dramatic crash in blood sugar levels. It can also cause liver failure in dogs and could be as fast acting as under an hour before signs appear, or it could be up to 12 hours before any signs appear. Therefore, if you suspect your dog has consumed anything with Xylitol, contact their vet immediately.

Avocados have become very popular in recent years, but these fruits contain persin, a fungicidal toxin. It could cause serious health issues if a dog eats too much, so steer clear of any at all. Persin is mostly located in the leaves and bark of the avocado plant and in the pits and skin of the fruit, but it is also found in the flesh of the avocado in a less concentrated amount. Unripened fruits also contain higher amounts of persin. Its best to err on the side of caution and treat all parts of avocado as potentially be hazardous to dogs.

Tea and coffee (and hot chocolate) feature organic compounds that can be harmful to dogs, including caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These are also commonly found in a variety of foods, beverages, human medication, and other products in the home. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, guarana, and as an additive in many soft drinks. Theobromine is found in cacao seeds and in products manufactured from these seeds, such as chocolate. Theophylline is found in tea along with caffeine. Caffeine is also used in human medication to increase mental alertness, and theophylline is widely used in anti-asthma drugs. All of these are harmful if ingested by dogs so should be kept away (and dogs certainly shouldnt be allowed a sip of tea/coffee with their own breakfast.)

Macadamia nuts are produced by trees of the genusMacadamia and are very popular as snacks for human consumption, both as plain nuts or when used in cakes, cookies, or in nutty chocolate bars. Even ingesting a tiny amount of macadamia nut can be very harmful for dogs. If your dog eats macadamia nuts, they could become very ill, including showing muscle weakness (particularly hind limb weakness), depression, vomiting, co-ordination problems, tremors, hyperthermia, abdominal pain, lameness, and stiffness. Call a vet if you think they have eaten some so that action can be taken before signs occur.