It is Human nature to indulge oneself, and because we love them, we spoil our dogs as well. For example, rescue pets can be particularly food-focused, and adept at getting to the food they shouldn’t, no matter how careful we are.
Most of us know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but there are other foods and substances that we should all be aware of. It is our responsibility to stay informed about the dangers, and remain vigilant about the risks. Don’t leave anything out that they can get hold of, and don’t take any chances. If you think they might have eaten something they shouldn’t, act quickly. Sometimes, by the time symptoms are seen, the damage has already been done. Waiting, perhaps to avoid an out of hours vet charge, could be the difference between life and death.
Some of the toxic foods are listed below, with details on what to look for, and what to do.
They are:
- Chocolate
- Grapes, Raisins and Sultanas
- Onions, and the onion family
- Xylitol
- Macadamia Nuts
- Avocado
- Alcohol
If there is anything you’d like to see added to this list or are unsure about, just leave a comment on the blog post. But whether you carry on reading, or look on-line, please do stay aware of the risks, and take care.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains both theobromine and caffeine. Both are toxic to dogs because they cannot metabolise them as well as we can. The concentration of theobromine varies according to the chocolate, with cocoa powder, cooking and dark/bitter chocolate containing far higher levels. Milk chocolate is still a risk, whilst white chocolate is very low risk. 30g of cooking chocolate is enough to show signs of poisoning in a 20kg dog.
Signs of chocolate poisoning typically appear within 6 to 12 hours, but sometimes in as little as 1 hour. They include, for lower doses, vomiting and diarrhoea, increased thirst, panting, restlessness, excess urination and a racing heart. In more severe cases, muscle tremors, seizures and heart failure can result. Older dogs, and dogs with heart conditions, are more at risk.
If you suspect your dog may have eaten chocolate, you should contact your vet as soon as possible, with as much information as possible, including the quantity and type of chocolate that was eaten, and when. If you have it, keep the label to show them. They will advise you on what to do next. If you see any of the symptoms above, you should contact them immediately.
Caffeine
Caffeine toxicity is very similar to chocolate toxicity. If you think your dog has eaten coffee beans or tea bags or managed to get hold of high levels of caffeine in some other way, you should contact your vet and follow the advice for chocolate. A few sips from your morning coffee shouldn’t harm your dog, but in general, it is to be avoided.
Grapes, Raisins and Sultanas
The exact reason for grape toxicity to dogs is not clear, but there is no doubt that it is extremely dangerous, and can be fatal. It is believed that it could be due to a mycotoxin, but because it is so uncertain, it is difficult to be sure on the dose that can lead to harm. Similarly, whilst there is evidence that raisins and sultanas are similarly toxic, no exact danger level can be confirmed. Because of that, the advice is that there is no safe dose for dogs and that any consumption should be considered dangerous. That applies to all grapes, and grape products.
So even if you know the risks, it is easy for your dog to snatch something off an unattended plate. You might not even notice in the excitement of a busy day.
The first symptoms of grape toxicity are vomiting and diarrhoea, which can develop within a few hours. That can be followed by weakness, loss of appetite, increased drinking, abdominal pain and dehydration. Acute kidney failure can develop in less than 2 days.
If you suspect your dog has eaten even a small amount of grapes or raisins, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Call your vet immediately, and give them as much information as possible including when it was eaten, and how much. Treatment will be affected by how quickly the vet can see the dog after ingestion but is likely to include induced vomiting, activated charcoal to bind anything that remains, and, in severe cases, fluid therapy and a hospital stay.
Early treatment is critical to give a positive outcome, which is why you should call as soon as you suspect your dog has eaten grapes or raisins, and not wait for symptoms to appear. By then, the prognosis has already worsened.
Onions, and the onion family
Onions contain a toxic compound called N-propyl disulphide. This can cause anaemia in dogs, by breaking down the red blood cells, and can also cause stomach irritation. And if you also have cats, the risk to them is even higher.
This risk applies to all members of the onion family, (so garlic leeks, chives etc), and all parts of the plant, whether cooked or raw. So carefully consider all leftovers and table scraps, before letting your dog have them. A lot of processed foods also include powdered onion or garlic, both of which are even more concentrated. As a guide, about 100g of onion, (a medium onion), can be toxic to a 20kg dog. One quick bite of something with onion in it isn’t going to harm your dog, but larger amounts, or sustained intake over some time, can. By far the best answer is to restrict access altogether.
Symptoms of onion toxicity include weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, pale gums and red-tinted urine, and possibly vomiting and panting. If you see these symptoms or believe your dog may have eaten a significant quantity of an onion, you should call your vet for advice.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a widely used artificial sweetener, based on a naturally occurring sugar in plants. It is perfectly safe for us, but deadly to dogs.
Unfortunately, it is present in an ever-growing list of products including some that are often given to dogs, such as peanut butter. It is commonly found in diabetic foods, but can also be present in items as diverse as toothpaste, power drinks and nasal sprays.
You should be very careful to ensure that anything you give your dog, that isn’t designed for them, does not contain Xylitol. But also pay close attention to things they might get hold of. Look at the ingredients on products, and if Xylitol is present, take extra care.
Xylitol is very toxic, and symptoms can appear in as little as 10 minutes, or up to an hour. Typically, they will include vomiting and diarrhoea, but you might also see lethargy, tremors, seizures, rapid heartbeat, stumbling or collapse. Depending on the amount eaten, and the size of your dog, there is a real risk of liver failure.
Even small amounts are dangerous, so do not wait for symptoms to appear. If you believe your dog has ingested Xylitol, call your vet immediately with as much information as possible. They will advise you on what to do next and will ask you to take the dog in as soon as possible. The quicker you act, and get your dog under their care, the better the likely outcome.
Whilst Xylitol is particularly dangerous for dogs, most sweeteners can cause mild symptoms. So again, they are best avoided. By and large, only allow your dogs to eat food that is made for them.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are another food where the exact nature of the toxicity to dogs is not known. Small amounts can cause symptoms, however, so there is no safe dose.
The most common symptom is a weakness in the back legs. Other symptoms include lethargy, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and tremors. Mild cases may clear up in a few days. More severe cases can involve constant shaking and an inability to walk.
The quicker treatment begins, the more successful it will be. Call your vet immediately you suspect your dog might have eaten macadamia nuts, with as much information as possible. Treatment will depend on timescale and might range from observation at home, to hospital treatment.
Avocado
Avocado contains persin in all parts of the plant, though it’s concentrated in the leaves, skin and pit. In large doses, persin can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and avocados high-fat content can cause gastrointestinal issues in its own right. Lastly, the stone is a choking hazard. So avocado is not advised for dogs.
Alcohol
Dogs are not drawn to alcohol, but if they consume it, then just as for us, the danger is related to the volume. It is difficult to know what level is toxic for dogs, though smaller dogs are more affected than larger. So it is best to stop your dog drinking alcohol, and take care with drinks that they might be able to reach, especially fruit-based drinks that they might be more attracted too. It is also worth considering that some diet alcoholic drinks contain Xylitol, which is extremely dangerous (see above).