How to Determine What Food Is Dangerous or Toxic To Your Dog

If you are a dog lover, chances are you have been suckered in more than once by your best friend into throwing them a tidbit or two of the food that you are enjoying.

There are a few things however, that while perfectly O.K. for humans to consume, can be very harmful, if not downright lethal to your favorite canine.

The following items are foods that are considered poisonous or toxic to dogs and should be strictly avoided at all costs

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vets phone number
• Ipecac (to induce vomiting
• Hydrogen Peroxide 3%

1. 
    
   Alcohol

   Alcohol.
   
   While O.K. for humans (in moderate amounts, of coarse) alcohol could be toxic for dogs. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, difficulty in breathing and depression of the central nervous system. It can even, in extreme cases, cause death.

2. 
    
   Chocolate is Toxic

   Chocolate
   
   It is a pretty well known fact that chocolate is poison to dogs and it is no joke. Chocolate contains a stimulant diuretic called theobromine. It is this theobromine that can affect the central nervous system of dogs. Baking chocolate contains the most theobromine, followed by dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate.
   
   If your dog has eaten chocolate, especially a generous amount, call or get them to the veterinarian immediately.

3. 
    
   Coffee Grounds

   Coffee, Tea or Anything That Contains a High Amount of Caffeine.
   
   Decent doses of caffeine can affect a dogs heart and central nervous system. A racing heart, vomiting, or in severe cases, death can occur when dogs have been exposed to caffeine.
   
   If your dog has been through the garbage and gotten to the coffee grounds you might need a trip to the vet.

4. 
    
   Grapes or Raisins

   Grapes or Raisins – Eating grapes or raisins could cause kidney damage. Some of the symptoms dogs might experience are lethargy, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea.

5. 
    
   Mushrooms

   Mushrooms – Certain mushrooms can be especially poisonous to dogs. It is important for you to check your property to be sure that there are no mushrooms that your dog might have access to, because it is difficult to tell which are toxic and which are not. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning might range from mild vomiting and diarrhea to severe digestive problems and possibly even complete liver failure.

6. 
    
   Onions

   Onions – Eating a lot of onions can cause Hemolytic Anemia in dogs. Symptoms could include vomiting, liver damage, diarrhea, labored breathing or discolored urine.

7. 
    
   Orbit Gum Xylitol

   Products That Contain Xylitol - This compound can cause liver damage or even death. Orbit Gum and Certain Sugarless Candies contain Xylitol. If your dog has consumed anything containing Xylitol call your veterinarian immediately. As little as 2 pieces can be deadly to a 13 pound dog.

8. 
    
   Macadamia Nuts and Chocolate

   Macadamia Nuts – Believe it or not, if dogs eat Macadamia nuts they can get a toxic reaction called Macadamia Nut Toxicosis. Symptoms can include the inability to stand or might cause them to walk wobbly, muscle tremors, depression, weakness or an elevated heart rate.
   
   Quite often the symptoms might go away in 48 hours, but a call to the veterinarian is probably a good idea. If the nuts happened to be mixed with chocolate, it is especially important that a veterinarian be contacted because the combination could be deadly.

9. 
    
   Salt or Rock Salt for Ice

   Salt – Too much salt can cause kidney damage in canines which is why foods like pork that contain high salt contents should be avoided. Another thing to think about however is the de-icing salt that is used to melt ice on sidewalks. If your dog has been walking on it and then licks its paws, this can be very harmful as well. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. Higher doses can result in seizures, comas and even death. If you believe your dog has ingested a fairly decent amount of salt, call your veterinarian.

10. 
     
    Yeast Dough

    Yeast Dough
    
    Strangely enough if yeast dough is ingested it can expand, rise in your dog’s stomach and risk damaging your pet’s intestinal system. The other possibility is that the dough could ferment and cause alcohol poisoning. Symptoms could include vomiting, diarrhea or drooling.

Tips & Warnings

• There may be times your vet recommends that you induce vomiting as soon as possible on your own, so having Ipecac in the house or Hydrogen Peroxide 3% would be a good thing to have on hand in case of such an emergency.
• If you think your dog has ingested any of the above or exhibits any of the above listed symptoms you should always call your veterinarian to double check on treatment.