Dogs are not always the best judge of what’s good for them! They are opportunists who live in the moment. Sadly this can have dramatic consequences when they scavenge something that is toxic to them. The good news is that, a quick response may make the difference between life and death.
I’m not trying to scare you, but it is vital that, as dog owners, we act fast when we discover that our dogs have decided the kitchen is now a self-service restaurant.
Your dog may be ‘one of the lucky ones’ – one of my clients has a five-year-old chocolate Labrador who helped herself to half a fruit cake from the top of the fridge (her owner is still mystified as to how) which by rights should have ended in disaster.
Another client rushed their dog to the vets after he’d devoured a kilo of grapes that a family member had left out by mistake! He spent two days at the vets feeling very sorry for himself.
So what foods are poisonous to dogs and what happens if your dog ingests any of the toxic foods:
Chocolate
Chocolate of any kind is dangerous to dogs, (dark chocolate is the worst). Chocolate contains methylxanthines. When eaten by pets this can cause: vomiting, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rhythms, hyperactivity, seizures and potentially death.
Alcohol
Even small quantities of alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, damage to the central nervous system, breathing difficulties, coma and possible death. Alcoholic beverages should never be given to dogs, neither should food containing alcohol.
Xylitol
Xylitol s a naturally occurring product, but is processed and used as a sugar substitute.
Used in a number of baked goods and peanut butter (human kind). Xylitol causes insulin release that can lead to liver failure within a few days.
Grapes and Raisins
The toxicity in grapes and raisins is not fully understood, but can lead to kidney failure and death. The other problem, especially with grapes is that they are a choking hazard.
Onions, Garlic and Chives
Dry, raw or cooked these foods are poisonous to dogs. They can cause oxidative damage to dog’s red blood cells and anaemia, as well as gastrointestinal inflammation. Signs of illness may not occur immediately and may not show for a few days.
Nuts
Nuts often contain high amounts of oils which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and potentially pancreatitis. Special attention should be paid to Macadamia nuts that contain a toxin affecting the nervous system and muscles, causing weakness and swelling.
Bones
You should definitely not give dogs cooked bones. as they are brittle and may splinter causing perforations in the gut. This can be fatal. Chunks of bone raw or cooked may become lodged in the bowel and cause constipation. There is also a risk of choking if dogs do not chew properly and try to swallow.
Corn On The Cob
Dogs can digest the corn, but if they also eat the cob there is a risk of this causing a blockage in the intestine and this could require surgery or even be fatal.
This is not a conclusive list of what foods are poisonous to dogs or can cause serious harm. There are other foodstuffs that will cause minor irritations or worse if ingested in sufficient quantities.
What should you do if you’re worried your dog has ingested anything harmful.
The first point of contact should be your vet. Explain what your dog has eaten, when and in what quantity. The vet will advise if they need you to bring the animal in. You can also contact the 24/7 Animal Poison Helpline. A 24-hour telephone triage service, staffed by veterinary professionals. This may be a good first point of call if anything happens over a weekend, holiday season or out of your normal vet’s hours.
Finally
If you’re interested in finding out more about how I can help you CONTACT ME (LINK). Please note that while I can give general guidance about what foods are poisonous to dogs in the event of potential poisoning, I will refer you straight to your vet. But if you have any general questions, I’m more than happy to help.
