Guide: What Foods are Poisonous to Dogs

Being pet owners, we want to keep our companions safe and healthy, away from any risks and threats. This also includes keeping harmful foods and substances away from their reach. Moreover, just the way we have allergies, our pets have similar reactions to some plants and foods. Hence, understanding what foods are poisonous to dogs can help us ensure their well-being.

What Foods Are Poisonous to Dogs

A lot of people treat their little friends to the same food they eat, which is not always a good practice. Some foods might seem harmless to us, but they can be toxic to our canine friends. Hence, I’ve compiled a list of what foods are poisonous to dogs, that should be kept out of their reach.

Chocolate

Yes, the one treat we love so much, is not good for our animal companions. Chocolates contain theobromine, a toxic compound. Giving chocolates to our pet even in small amounts can cause serious issues like nausea, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures.

In rare yet severe cases, chocolate poisoning can lead to death, especially in smaller ones, or when dark chocolate is consumed.

Raisins and Grapes

Dogs have an extremely toxic reaction to raisins and grapes. However, the exact substance causing this isn’t known. Grapes or raisins even in small amounts can lead to immediate kidney failure.

Watch out for lethargy, vomiting, and lack of appetite-like symptoms. Moreover, if not treated properly or on time, these symptoms increase to more severe complications.

Xylitol

A substance found in sugar-free candies and gums. In canines, xylitol causes rapid insulin release, leading to hypoglycemia i.e. low blood sugar. Also, the immediate symptoms include loss of coordination, vomiting, and seizures. Further, in severe cases of xylitol poisoning, the liver might fail.

Garlic and Onion

Garlic, onion, or any foods that contain allium substances, have compounds that damage red blood cells, resulting in anemia. Moreover, this poisoning occurs in all forms of garlic or onions, cooked, raw, or powdered.

Hence, to avoid this, watch out for symptoms including weakness, breathlessness, vomiting, and a reddish tint to urine.

Avocados

Though healthy for humans, avocadoes contain persin. Which, in large amounts, is toxic to dogs. Moreover, this compound is found in all parts of an avocado, including the pit, fruit, bark, and leaves. Further, this poisoning presents itself by causing vomiting, diarrhea, and heart congestion.

Caffeine

While caffeine consumption’s health benefits are still under debate for humans, there’s no doubt that it’s extremely toxic for our furry mates. Found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and certain medications, it causes restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and seizures in our canine companions. Also, in severe cases, it can lead to death.

Alcohol

The impact of alcohol is a lot more severe than in humans. Even in small amounts, products containing alcohol can be poisonous for our little friends. Hence, it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, and breathlessness. Furthermore, in extreme cases, it causes coma or death.

Macadamia Nuts

These nuts are extremely toxic for our little furry friends, in any quantity. Hence, resulting in weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia. The signs occur within 12 hours of ingestion and can last for 48 hours.

Plants and Food that can be Poisonous to Pets

While so far we’ve only discussed what foods are poisonous to dogs, it’s also important to shed some light on plants that pose similar threats. Moreover, this can help us install plants in our house that won’t cause problems for our furry friends.

Mushrooms

Wild mushrooms are toxic, causing severe liver or kidney damage. The signs vary depending on the type of mushroom absorbed but can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, seizures, and in severe cases, death.

Lillies

While Lillies are severely toxic to cats, they cause distress in dogs if swallowed. Hence, causing gastrointestinal upset, drooling, and lethargy.

Tulips and Daffodils

These spring flowers contain toxic compounds that result in nausea, loose motions, and drooling if swallowed. Also, in extreme cases, it can lead to heart problems or respiratory issues.

Ivy

Many different types of ivy are toxic for our furry friends. Hence, this can cause drooling, nausea, loose motions, and abdominal pain. Skin contact also causes irritation or rashes.

Azaleas

Azaleas are a common garden plant containing grayanotoxins that cause nausea, drooling, loose motions, and loss of appetite in our canines. Moreover, in extreme cases, poisoning leads to coma or death.

Sago Palms

A popular ornamental plant, sago palms have very toxic impacts for canines. Every part of the plant is poisonous to canines except the nuts. Furthermore, the symptoms include liver damage, nausea, loose motions, seizures, and in extreme conditions, death.

Toxic Food for Dogs Chart

If you want to always keep an eye on what foods are poisonous to dogs, here is a chart you can refer to with ease…

Signs of Poisoning

Gastrointestinal Upset

Nausea, drooling, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite are a few of the first symptoms your furry mate has swallowed something harmful.

Neurological Symptoms

Tremors, seizures, loss of coordination, and in severity, coma.

Cardiovascular Issues

Rapid or irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, high or low blood pressure.

Behavioral Changes

This includes unusual actions or behaviors, restlessness, or lethargy.

Tips to Keep Safe

Now that you have a better idea of what foods are poisonous to dogs, it’s good to know the tips that would keep them safe.

Safely Store Food

Keep toxic food away from your pet’s reach, preferably in locked Tupperware or high cabinets.

Supervise the Outdoors

Keep an eye on when they’re playing outside to ensure they don’t ingest anything harmful.

Stick to Their Food

Don’t share your food unless it’s safe. Hence, keeping them limited to friendly treats.

Educate Those Around You

Make sure everyone around you is aware of what is and isn’t good for your animal friend. Especially the people responsible for looking after your pet in your absence.

What to do when Pets Consume Poisonous Substance

When you know what foods are poisonous to dogs, it’s also essential to know what are the signs they have ingested. Here’s what you need to do in that situation…

• Identify the substance, how much of it’s been swallowed, and when.
• Call your vet immediately or visit emergency clinics if it’s after hours.
• Moreover, follow your vet’s instructions for inducing vomit if the ingestion is fresh.
• Also, try to package the substance that’s swallowed to help the vet assess the situation.
• Lastly, monitor your pet and report any changes to the vet immediately.

Knowing what foods are poisonous to dogs can help you ensure you don’t keep these products in reachable distance of your furry friends. Furthermore, this can go a long way in ensuring your canine’s safety, and help them grow and develop in a healthier environment.