Foods Toxic to Dogs

We love our dogs like they are our children. They are, after all, a part of the family. Dogs love us unconditionally and are always there for us when we need a friend. This is why it is important we take very good care of them every day. Knowing the kinds of foods that are toxic to your dog will help you understand what not to feed them.

Foods Toxic to Dogs: Chocolate

Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs, especially semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate as well as cocoa powder and cooking chocolate. This is because chocolate contains a compound called theobromine that is a cardiac stimulant as well as a diuretic.

Symptoms from dogs eating chocolate include staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, arrhythmia, seizures, coma and even death.

Smaller dogs have a better chance of getting sick and even dieing from chocolate. The smaller the dog, the higher the risk. Even a little bit of chocolate icing can be lethal.

It can take several hours for the symptoms of chocolate toxicity to occur with death occurring within 24 hours of ingesting. Because of this, dog owners may not think chocolate is doing anything to their dog when in fact it is.

Foods Toxic to Dogs: Onions

Onions are a food that is highly toxic to dogs because they contain thiosulphate. Garlic also contains thiosulphate but is not as toxic to dogs as onions are. A dog would have to eat large amounts of garlic to get sick or die from it.

Dogs affected by onion toxicity will develop hemolytic anemia which causes the dogs red blood cells to burst while circulating in the body. Other problems caused by onion toxicity include labored breathing, liver damage, discolored urine and vomiting.

It can take up to a few days to even see a symptom of onion toxicity. All forms of onions are toxic and even table scraps with onions in them should not be given to your dog.

Foods Toxic to Dogs: Mushrooms

Mushrooms are also toxic to dogs and certain types such as Amanita phalloides can even be fatal to dogs if ingested. Symptoms of mushroom toxicity include abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma and death.

Foods Toxic to Dogs: Grapes and Raisins

As few as a handful of raisins or grapes can make your dog sick. However, according to the Animal Poison Control Center, out of the ten cases of grapes and raisin toxicity that were reported, each dog ate 9 ounces and 2 pounds of grapes or raisins. Symptoms to watch out for if your dog accidentally ingests grapes or raisins include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and lethargy.

Foods Toxic to Dogs: Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts contain a high level of phosphorus and, along with other types of nuts, can cause bladder stones in dogs. If a dog ingests macadamia nuts, they can develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles as well as weakness or paralysis of the hind legs. Dogs will have a hard time rising, are often distressed, pant a lot and some dogs will have swollen legs and will show pain when the legs are touched or manipulated in any way.

Other Foods Toxic to Dogs:

Baby Food: Baby food may contain onion powder which is toxic to dogs. If fed in large amounts, baby food can cause nutritional deficiency.

Meat, Fish or Poultry Bones: Any types of bones can cause a laceration or obstruction in the digestive system.

Cat Food: Cat food is too high in fats and protein and is not good for dogs.

Trimmings from Fat: The trimmings from meat fat can cause pancreatitis.

Milk and Other Dairy Products: Dairy products can cause diarrhea in dogs because dogs do not have the right amount of lactase to break down the lactose in dairy products. They do make lactose free milk products just for dogs.

Raw Eggs: I always thought raw eggs were good for a dogs coat but apparently they contain an enzyme called avidin that reduces the absorption of Biotin. Because of this, raw eggs can cause skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain salmonella.

Raw Fish: The ingestion of raw fish can cause a thiamine deficiency which can cause loss of appetite, seizures and even death.

Source:

Entirely Pets