What Not To Eat
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Toxic Foods
Grapes
* Grapes and Raisins can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys, possible resulting in death.
* Ingesting as few as 4-5 grapes or raisins can be poisonous to a 20 pound dog, though the exact toxic dose
is not established.
* Signs of toxicity include vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased urine production
(possibly leading to lack of urine production), weakness and drunken gait.
* Onset of signs typically occurs within 24 hours (though they can start just a few hours after consumption)
* Your vet may start by inducing vomiting, or the stomach might be pumped (gastric lavage). Treatment involves
aggressive supportive care - particularly fluid therapy and medications.
Onions
* Onions can cause a form of hemolytic anemia called Heinz body anemia, a condition that causes the destruction of
red blood cells. Kidney damage may follow.
* Toxicity may occur from similar foods such as garlic and chives.
* It is not clear what quantity of onions is poisonous, but the effects can be cumulative. Poisoning can result
from raw, cooked and dehydrated forms. Avoid feeding table scraps and any foods cooked with onions (including some baby
foods). Check your ingredients!
* Signs are secondary to anemia, such as pale gums, rapid heart rate, weakness and lethargy. Other signs include
vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody urine.
* For treatment, blood transfusions and/or oxygen administration may be necessary, followed by specific
fluid therapy.
Chocolate
* Chocolate and cocoa contain a chemical called theobromide that can adversely affect the heart, lungs, kidney and
central nervous system.
* Pure baking chocolate is most toxic, while milk chocolate requires a higher quantity to cause harm. A 20 pound
dog can be poisoned after consuming about 2 ounces of baking chocolate, but it would take nearly 20 ounces of milk
chocolate to cause harm. Ingestion of cacao bean mulch can also be toxic.
* Signs include excitement, tremors, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rate/rhythm, drunken gait,
hyperthermia and coma.
* Your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. Treatment includes administration of activated charcoal
and aggressive supportive care with fluid therapy and medications.
Caffeinated Items
* Caffeine is quite similar to the toxic chemical in chocolate. It can damage the heart, lungs, kidney and central
nervous system.
* Commons sources of toxicity include caffeine pills, coffee beans and coffee, large amounts of tea, and chocolate.
* Signs typically begin with restlessness, hyperactivity and vomiting. These can be followed by panting,
weakness, drunken gait increased heart rate, muscle tremors and convulsions.
* Your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. Treatment includes administration of activated charcoal
and supportive care with fluid therapy and medications.
Macadamia Nuts
* Macadamia nuts, while generally not considered fatal, can cause your dog to experience severe illness.
* The actually toxin is not know, nor is the mechanism of toxicity.
* Ingestion of just a handful of nuts can cause adverse effects in any dog.
* Signs include vomiting, weakness, depression, drunken gait, joint/muscle pain, and joint swelling.
* Onset of signs typically occurs within 6-24 hours.
* Dogs are typically treated symptomatically and recover within 24-48 hours. In-hospital supportive care may be
recommend for dogs that become very sick.
Xylitol
* Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener most often found in chewing gum and candy. In dogs, it stimulates the pancreas
to secrete insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Xylitol ingestion can also cause severe liver damage.
* As few as two pieces of gum can be hypoglycemia to a 20 pound dog. A pack of gum can cause liver damage.
* Signs of toxicity can occur within 30-60 minutes and include weakness, drunken gait, collapse and seizures.
* Your vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. The affected dog will likely need to be treated intravenously
with dextrose (sugar) and monitored closely for 1-2 days. Many dogs improve with supportive care if treated early enough,
though liver damage can be permanent.
Alcohol & Yeast Dough
* Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol - a seriously toxic chemical compound that causes central nervous system and
respiratory depression.
* Uncooked yeast doughs also produce ethanol.
* Even small amounts of ethanol can cause toxic effects.
* Signs include sedation, depression, lethargy, weakness, drunken gait and hypothermia (low body temperature).
* Ethanol is rapidly absorbed into the system, so it is important to seek medical attention quickly. It is not
usually helpful to induce vomiting. Treatment includes aggressive supportive care with fluid therapy and medications.
* Under controlled circumstances, alcohol is used by veterinarians as an antidote for antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
poisoning.
Fruit Pits & Seeds
* Apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, and plum pits contain the toxin cyanide.
* Signs of cyanide poisoning include vomiting, heavy breathing, apnea tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, coma,
skin irritation.
* In some cases, antidotes are available. Other treatments include oxygen therapy, fluids and supportive care.
* Also take note that the leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and
diarrhea in dogs. Also, the fat content is not healthy for dogs.
Rotten & Moldy Foods
Moldy or rotten foods can cause many problems for your dog, some more serious than others. Any food that seems "past its
prime" should be kept out reach. Be especially careful to keep your dog away from trash cans.
* Botulism, often from garbage, can cause paralysis, slow heart rate, constipation, and urine retention.
An antitoxin is effective only if poisoning is caught early enough.
* Rotten fruit produces ethanol, causing the same effects associated with alcohol or dough ingestion.
* Moldy foods contain toxins that may cause muscle tremors, convulsions and drunkenness.
* Therapy depends on the toxin. Your vet may induce vomiting. Sometimes, treatment includes activated charcoal.
Supportive care with fluids and medications is often necessary.
Other Foods
Certain foods, while not considered toxic, can still be unhealthy for your dog. Avoid any foods that are high in fat, sugar or sodium. These foods can contribute to indigestion, obesity, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and more. Dairy products may be difficult for dogs to digest. Corn cobs and bones can cause GI obstruction. Cooked bones may splinter and break easily, risking GI damage.Like people, too much junk food can cause poor condition and decreased energy. Remember that your dog is smaller than you and may be sensitive. What seems like "just a bite" for you is more like a small meal for your dog. If you want to feed homemade food, seek advice from your vet. You may wish to meet with a nutritionist for diet recommendations.
Trees and Vines
Apple (stem and leaves)Effects - shock, mouth inflammation, rapid increase in breathing
Yew (American, English, Western)
Effects - Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Apricot
Effects - Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Almond
Effects - Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Peach
Effects - Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Wild Cherry
Effects - Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Japanese Plum
Effects - Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Ficus(Cuban Laurel)
Effects - stomach upset
Cherry
Effects - rapid breathing, shock, mouth inflammation, heart rate increase
Balsam Pear
Effects - Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle-Leaf)
Effects - stomach upset, irritated skin
Oak
Effects - Varied effects
Philodendron (Devil's Ivy)
Effects - upset stomach, convulsions, asphyxiation, death
English Ivy
Effects - stomach upset, hyperactivity, laboured breath, drooling, Fever, thirst increase, pupil dilation, staggering
Jasmine
Effects - convulsions, death
Vine
Effects - pupil dilation, upset stomach, drooling, heart failure
Matrimony Vine
Effects - varied effects
Virginia Creeper
Effects - varied effects
Houseplants
Asparagus Fernvomiting, respiratory problems, kidney failure, tremours, abdominal pain
Caladium
mouth irritation, stomach upset, asphyxiation, tremours, seizures, death
Colocasia (Elephant's Ear)
mouth irritation, stomach upset, asphyxiation, tremours, seizures, death
Deiffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
mouth irritation, stomach upset, asphyxiation, tremours, seizures, death
Philodendron (Saddle Leaf, Split Leaf)
Mouth swelling, irritation
Poinsetta
mouth irritation, stomach upset
Mum (Pot and Spider)
Skin irritation
Umbrella Plant
vomiting, respiratory problems, kidney failure, tremours, abdominal pain
Aloe Vera
diarrhea
Mistletoe
Varied effects
Poisonous Flowers
Amaryllisstomach upset, lethargy, shock, death
Crocus
stomach upset, liver failure, lethargy, shock, death
Buttercup
stomach upset
Calla Lily
stomach upset, mouth irritation, asphyxiation, seizures, Death
Christmas Rose
stomach upset, diarhea, convulsions
Chrysanthemum
skin irritation
Daffodil (bulb)
stomach upset, tremours, seizures, lethargy, heart Failure, Death
Easter Lily
stomach upset, kidney failure
Foxglove
stomach upset, tremours, seizures, lethargy, heart Failure, Death
Hyacinth (bulb)
varied effects
Iris (root)
stomach upset
Jessamine
seizures, respiratory failure
Morning Glory
stomach upset, hallucinations
Narcissus
stomach upset, staggering, tremours, seizures, heart failure, death
Peony
stomach upset, staggering, tremours, seizures, heart failure, death
Periwinkle
hallucinogen
Poinsetta
stomach upset, mouth irritation
Primrose
stomach upset
Tulip (bulb)
varied effects
Common Household Toxins
AntifreezeDepression, stumbling, staggering, vomiting, and seizures
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Excessive drooling, vomiting, weakness and abdominal pain
Insecticides
Excessive drooling, weeping eyes, excessive urination, diarrhea, muscle spasms, weakness, difficulty breathing and collapse
Household Cleaners (toilet bowl cleaners,pine oil cleaner, bleach, detergents)
Skin irrition, vomitting, diarrhea, internal organ damage, bloody vomit, bloody stools
Flea products
Decreased appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling
Caustic Substances
If you suspect your pet has ingested a caustic substance, do NOT induce vomiting. Caustic substances damage flesh on contact, and do fatal damage to your dog's innards within minutes.Seek emergency veterinary care immediately!!
List of Caustic Chemicals and Substances:
* Battery Acid
* Bleach
* Carbolic Acid
* Motor Oil
* Drain Cleaner
* Fertilizer
* Glue
* Household Cleaners
* Kerosene
* Laundry Detergent
* Turpentine
* Plaster
* Sidewalk Salt
* Putty
* Pine Cleaners
* Paintbrush Cleaner
* Nail Polish
* Nail Polish Remover
* Paint Thinner