What Foods Are Toxic To Dogs?

Many dog owners are surprised to learn just how many everyday foods can be dangerous—or even deadly—to their pets. From fruits and vegetables you might casually share to common pantry staples that seem harmless, dogs are far more sensitive to certain toxins than humans.

The point is, watch what your dog eats, and if you’re not sure and see signs of poisoning, get to a veterinarian immediately or call a poison control center (it will cost you, but your dog is worth it).  Even veterinarians call these centers for advice because time truly is of the essence in a poison case:

• The ASPCA Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435.
• The Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.

Almost all these substances cause vomiting and/or diarrhea, symptoms that should at least get your attention. Others cause depression, panting or respiratory depression, tremors, or weakness, especially of the hind legs. If those symptoms develop, your dog probably needs immediate veterinary attention.

What Vegetables are Toxic to Dogs?

You might be surprised that the most common foods that are dangerous to dogs are regularly found in most households. Here are 10  foods that the National Library of Medicine says are toxic to your dog:

• Onions, whether raw, cooked, or powdered. They contain a compound (n-propyl disulfide) that breaks down red blood cells, the cells that provide oxygen to tissues. When it comes to how toxic onions are to dogs, a medium onion could kill a medium dog.
• Garlic is about five times more toxic than onions, even though microdoses have been used by some researchers to promote health.
• Chives are, like onions and garlic, a member of the Allium family. Symptoms include lethargy and depression, pale gums, rapid breathing, elevated heart rate, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Avocados are also great for humans but horrible for dogs. They contain persin, a fungicidal toxin not harmful to humans that causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. They also contain lots of fat, which dogs digest poorly, and they can choke on the large pit too.

Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. Always check that the specific vegetable you’re thinking about sharing with your dog is something he can digest easily.

What Fruits are Harmful to Dogs?

There are many fruits that are safe for dogs to eat. However, there are a few that should be avoided.

• Grapes can be deadly to dogs. The tartaric acid in grapes—and dried versions like raisins and sultanas—can cause kidney failure. Research has yet to pin down how many grapes it takes. Don’t feed grapes!
• Properly prepared cherries are safe for dogs. However, their pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide, which is released when chewed or crushed and is highly toxic to both dogs and humans.

When giving fruit to dogs, it’s important to remember that most fruits are best enjoyed in moderation. Many types of fruit have a high sugar content, and some, like coconut, have a high fat content. In addition, citric acid found in fruits like lemons and limes can lead to stomach upset if a dog gets too much of it.

In many cases, pits, stems, leaves, seeds, and rinds should be removed before feeding fruit to dogs. As with cherries, these may contain substances that are toxic to dogs. Even if they don’t, they can be choking hazards or lead to intestinal blockages if swallowed.

Other Foods that are Toxic to Dogs

There are a variety of common processed and prepared foods—and some nuts—that are also toxic to dogs. These include:

• Chocolate contains theobromine, which is similar to caffeine. It can cause heart issues, tremors, seizures, and death. Dark and unsweetened chocolate are the most dangerous.
• Caffeine is the active ingredient in coffee. Who knows why you would allow Fido to drink coffee, because it causes all the problems chocolate does.
• Tea contains caffeine, so it’s toxic. Don’t be fooled by the label “organic”- it contains caffeine, too. Herbal teas don’t contain caffeine, though.
• Artificial sweetener (xylitol or birch sugar) causes a drop in blood sugar in 15 to 30 minutes, so he’ll need immediate veterinary attention before it causes weakness, staggering, seizures, liver failure and even death.
• Alcohol causes much the same symptoms in dogs as in humans—only worse—because a dog’s liver is much smaller.
• Macadamia nuts. No one knows why they can cause toxicocis, but the symptoms include weakness of the hind legs, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia. Toxic reactions to macadamia nuts need immediate veterinary care.

When it comes to sharing food with dogs, the number one thing to remember is to do your research before giving your dog a new treat to try. As discussed above, there are also some foods that aren’t toxic to dogs but can be hazardous in other ways. For example, almonds are not toxic for dogs but are difficult to digest and may cause a bowel obstruction. Also, even if a food is safe for dogs in general, individuals may be allergic to that food. To help mitigate potential problems, always start by feeding your dog only small amounts of new foods.

If the number of common foods that are toxic to dogs isn’t enough to worry about, there are also environmental hazards to be wary of. Many common plants are toxic to your dog. Rat poison, of course, is deadly, especially if it’s the really bad stuff. Frogs can make dogs sick, while toads can kill them. And in the summer months, beware of blue-green algae.