As much as real food is healthy and nutritious for dogs; Still, some ingredients can be toxic for them. Here is a list of toxic foods for dogs and the symptoms for food poisoning.
Remember, each dog is unique and the needed dosage to evoke a negative response may change.
As a pet owner, is important to know which foods may cause poisoning and what will be the symptoms. If symptoms do appear, you need to contact your veterinarian immediately.
If you recognize the symptoms, you will be able to act quickly if the time arrives.
Raisins and grapes
The fruit contains an in known poison. Even 4-5 grapes can lead to food poisoning for a 9 kg dog. Poisoning symptoms may occur in the 24 hours after consumption. Symptoms include: vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, stomach pain, less urine production and general weakness.
Avocado
includes a compound called Persin which may cause vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing and fluids accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart. At this stage there isn’t a conclusive decision whether its the fruit or oil which is considered toxic. But, when it doubt, it best to be safe and avoid both. There are treats and foods that contain Avocado. Symptoms include: difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea and stuffy nose.
Garlic, onion and chive
May cause destruction of red blood cells and lead to a condition called Heinz body anemia. There are supplements which contain garlic which have been clinically tested for toxicity and have been found to be safe. This is due to their extraction technique. Symptoms include: pale gums, rapid heart beat, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and bloody urine.
Tomatoes
Contain tomatine, an alkaloid related to atropine. As the fruit ripens, the tomatine metabolizes and becomes less dangerous. So, you may give only ripe tomatoes. The tomato bush itself, however, is extremely poisonous to dogs. Green tomatoes are not safe. Symptoms include: shaking, dilated pupils, drooling, difficulty breathing, colitis, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, paralysis, nervous system disturbances (muscle weakness, seizures), heart erythema and even coma.
Potatoes
Green or greenish potatoes may be toxic due to the alkaloid solanum which may cause solanine poisoning. Raw potatoes (even white) contain oxalates which may trigger disturbances in the nervous system, digestion and kidneys. Fully cooked ripe tomatoes are perfectly safe to feed. Symptoms include: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, head aches, dizziness, tremors and heart erythema. Oxalates bond to calcium and may lead to urinary crystal formation.
Rhubarb
Like raw tomatoes and potatoes, it contains oxalates which may cause disturbances in the nervous system, kidneys and digestion. Symptoms include: tremors, heart erythema.
Fruit pits and seeds
Seeds and pits contain cyanide which is toxic for dogs. In addition, they may cause intestinal blockage. Symptoms for blockage include: anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, swollen abdomen, fever, dehydration and shock. Without proper treatment to remove the blockage, death may occur in 3-4 days. Symptoms for cyanide poisoning: dilated pupils, hyper ventilation, shock, vomiting, heart erythema, skin irritation and coma.
Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts and Brazil nuts
These can sometimes be infected with low levels of a toxin named aflatoxin which arrives from mold. Although safe for humans in low dosages; Dogs are extremely sensitive to it and even extremely low dosages may be toxic and cause inflammation in the stomach and intestinal tract.
Also, nuts contain high dosages of phosphorus which may lead to urinary tract crystals. Unsweetened peanut butter is safe to feed.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning: loss of appetite, vomiting, hepatitis and orange colored urine, liver failure, bloody or black stool. Also, symptoms for inflammation: prolonged vomiting sometimes accompanied by bile, dehydration and watery stool, loss of appetite, apathy. And, symptoms for crystals: difficulty when urinating, urine dripping, bloody urine.
Macadamia nuts
Although not toxic, but may cause illness. The toxic substance isn’t known but even a small amount had been found to cause negative outcome. Symptoms include: vomiting, general weakness, depression, lack of energy, drunken walk, joint or muscle pain, tremors and abdominal pain.
Fatty meats
Although fat isn’t toxic for dogs; Fatty foods may be dangerous and cause pancreatitis. Chronic inflammation develops over time as a result of prolonged exposure to large quantities of saturated fats. But, acute inflammation may develop even after a single meal. Pancreatitis is a painful illness and may be life threatening. Usually older dogs are at risk to develop this condition; As too breeds such as miniature poodle, cocker spaniel and miniature schnauzer. Symptoms include: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dehydration, general sever weakness, shock, fever, restlessness, heavy breathing, shaking.
Live fish
Fish swimming up stream, such as salmon, may contain a parasite (Neorickettsia helminthoeca) which is infected by an organism (Nanophyetus salmincola). This organism is extremely poisonous to dogs. In order to prevent infection, the fish needs to be cooked. Symptoms include: vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, dehydration, fever and swollen lymph nodes.
Xylitol
A sweetener found in candy and sugar free foods. It is toxic for dogs because it induces the pancreas to produce large doses of insulin. This may lead to hypoglycemia (low sugar levels in the blood) and liver failure. Even consuming 2 gums may lead to hypoglycemia in a 9 kg dog. A pack of gums may lead to liver failure. Symptoms may be seen in 30-60 minutes and include: vomiting, coma, general weakness, drunken gaze and seizures.
Chestnuts
May cause damage to the central nervous system. Although specific amounts are unknown , the assumption is that large quantities are needed to cause harm. Remember, there are dogs which are more sensitive than others. Symptoms include: tremors, muscle cramps and seizures.
Yeast and uncooked dough
Yeast cause the formation of ethanol in the digestive tract. Symptoms include: depression, coma, weakness, drunken gaze and hypothermia.
Chocolate and Cacao
Contains a toxic chemical called theobromide which affects the heart, lungs, kidneys and central nervous system. Bitter chocolate is the most toxic. A 9 kg dog may experience symptoms after eating just 56 grams of bitter chocolate or 500 grams of milk chocolate. Remember that some dogs are more sensitive and show symptoms at lower dosages. Symptoms include: hyperactivity, excitement, tremors, seizures, rapid heart rate, drunken walk, hypothermia and coma.
Caffeine (coffee, tea and energy drinks)
Like the toxic chemical in chocolate, caffeine also affects the heart, lungs, kidneys and central nervous system. A toxic amount is considered 150 mg to every kg of body weight. For comparison, in an instant coffee tsp there is over 60 mg of caffeine. Symptoms include: hyperactivity, excitement, restlessness, vomiting, heavy breathing weakness, rapid heart rate, drunken walk, muscle spasm.
Alcohol
Contains ethanol; A highly toxic chemical for dogs which damages the central nervous system and respiratory system. Even miniature amounts may cause poisoning. Symptoms include: depression, coma, general weakness, drunken gaze and hypothermia.
Hops and beer
Hops is extremely toxic to dogs; Especially Labradors. Even miniature amounts may cause poisoning. Symptoms include: hypothermia, high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, extremely high fever, heavy breathing and rapid heart rate.
Remember, if you recognize these symptoms on your pet, contact your vet immediately.