Dog Poisons

Not all foods are dogs home or friendly. In fact, some are poisonous and even fatal. Like its two legs, there are many poisons in the food and surroundings that dogs should be avoided.

The common bacteria of food poisoning from salmonella, E. coli and Yersinia, beat the dogs and humans. Use the rule that if you do not want it served to not serve your dog. Homemade food, especially meat components, should be properly cooked to prevent food-bornethe disease. Storage and cooking removes vitamins and minerals, so supplements should be added if necessary prior to feeding.

If untreated, symptoms can last up to 3 days and be deadly!

The younger the dog, the more dangerous is the risk of chocolate poisoning. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous for dogs. Two different toxins called chocolate methyxanthines alkaloid theobromine and caffeine (less known and more dangerous). Ingestion of chocolate can cause vomiting,diarrhea, depression, muscle tremors, excessive thirst with frequent urination. The dog can become agitated and start pacing. More dangerous symptoms can develop including elevated/irregular heart rate, blood pressure changes and seizures.

Not thinking about the ingredients?

You might wish to treat your dog to a family leftover, not thinking about the ingredients. Onions and garlic contain substances called disulphides that can poison your dog. Disulphides damage the surface of red blood cells, causing them to burst. The result is a disease called Heinz body anemia. The dog becomes weak and breathless, and may require a blood transfusion for recovery. The red pigment in urine (hemoglobinuria) is easily confused with urinary tract problems.

Poisons in different mushrooms can have a variety of results for your dog: kidney and liver failure (with abdominal pain), delirium, vomiting and diarrhea, seizures, coma, possibly death. Symptoms can begin 20 minutes to 8 hours after ingestion. Pay attention when walking your dog in grassy or forest areas!

Grapes can be a fatal poison for your dog.

Dogs everywhere love grapes but in 1989, the ASPCA reported an emerging trend - nearly all dogs that consumed grapes or raisins developed kidney failure. When medical care was sought, elevated levels of blood calcium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and phosphorous were observed. These chemicals reflect kidney function. If urine production is halted, grapes can be a fatal poison for your dog. Treatment can be successful with immediate medical intervention - call your vet!

Whether bones are good or poisonous for dogs is hotly-debated. Cooked bones become dry and brittle, absorb water from the dog's gut, and cause constipation and intestinal blockage. Many raw bones can splinter and perforate the gut, usually requiring surgery to repair. Bone fragments can also lodge in the mouth or throat, causing discomfort, mouth roof punctures, dental damage, and choking at worst. Raw bones can be poisonous to your dog if contaminated by bacteria. Overindulging in bone marrow, which is mostly fat, can result in pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.

Other potential poisonous foods for your dog are:

Pear pits, kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pits (contain cyanogenic glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning).
Potato peelings and green looking potatoes.
Rhubarb leaves.
Moldy/spoiled foods.
Alcohol.
Yeast dough.
Coffee grounds, beans and tea (caffeine).
Hops (used in home brewing).
Tomato leaves and stems.
Broccoli in large amounts.
Turkey skin.

Antifreeze, that collects on road surfaces and driveways, smells and tastes good to your dog but is poisonous and very lethal. Other very accessible outdoor poisons to avoid for your dog are: charcoal lighter fluid, gasoline, kerosene, lead, lime, paint thinner, cleaning fluids, rodent poison, turpentine, cocoa mulch.

Household poisons for your dog to avoid are: cigarettes/tobacco/cigars, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, caffeine pills, acetone, ammonia, bleach, deodorants, furniture polish, fly strips, insecticides, mothballs, rubbing alcohol, soap.

If your pet accidentally ingests any food, plant or chemical poison, call your veterinarian right away or the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-900-680-0000.

Common plants that are poisonous to your dog are: amaryllis, azalea bush, boxwood, cactus, columbine, daffodil flower bud, dumbcane, English ivy, foxglove, hemlock, honeysuckle, horse chestnut, ivy, lily of the valley, lupine, marijuana, mistletoe, morning glory, oleander, philodendron, poinsettia, rhubarb, skunk cabbage, tulip bulb, yew.