Did you know? 10 things toxic to dogs?

Question

1. Grapes
Many people give this fruit to their dogs as a treat. However, just a few bites can cause fatal kidney failure in some dogs.


Both grapes and raisins can be toxic. Some dogs eat them with seemingly no ill effects. However, some dogs become ill after ingesting only a few grapes or raisins. The first symptom is vomiting, followed by acute kidney failure, from which many dogs do not recover. As of yet, the toxin is unknown, nor do we know why some dogs become sick and others eat grapes or raisins without a problem.

2. Bread dough
The yeast-containing bread dough can ferment in the dog's stomach, releasing large quantities of alcohol. Dogs may become very ill from alcohol poisoning. Small dogs are most susceptible to this toxicity.

3. Macadamia nuts
The ingestion of as few as six macadamia nuts has caused paralysis in dogs. Dogs with macadamia poisoning will appear anxious and have difficulty moving their rear legs. The legs may appear to be painful. Luckily, the paralysis is temporary and clears up within a few days. The causative agent of the paralysis is unknown.

4. Salmon
Salmon and trout can be infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola, a type of trematode worm. The worms themselves can be infected with a type of bacteria known as Neorickettsia helminthoeca. The bacteria only infects canids; other animals show no symptoms from eating it. When dogs eat raw fish infected with this bacteria, they can show symptoms including weakness, vomiting, loss of appetite, swollen glands, and fever. Ninety percent of untreated dogs die. However, cooking kills the worm and the bacteria.

5. Onions
Onions and garlic contain a chemical called thiosulfate. When ingested either in large quantities or in small quantities over a long period of time, they can cause anemia. This is reversible if you stop feeding the onions or garlic.

6. Xylitol
This toxicity usually occurs when dogs eat large amounts of sugar-free candy or gum. In humans, xylitol does not cause a drop in blood sugar; in dogs it does. This can lead to weakness, staggering, and other symptoms of hypoglycemia. There is also some evidence that some dogs may develop liver failure after ingesting xylitol.

7. Cooked chicken bones
Cooked bones are much more dangerous than raw bones. They are much more brittle than raw bones and can splinter into sharp shards. But why risk feeding any chicken bones? Give them something else.

8. Turkey skin
Dogs that are fed a straight diet of dry food with little variety- may get an inflammation of the pancreas called "pancreatitis" if they eat certain foods that they are not used to.

In dogs, pancreatitis often results from eating a very high-fat meal. While dogs that are used to eating a high-fat diet, like sled dogs, can eat pure fat with no problems, dogs that are not used to such foods often cannot. When such a dog eats a high-fat meal, its pancreas overproduces enzymes, to the extent that they actually begin to "digest" the pancreas and inflame it. Common culprits are turkey skin and ham fat. Symptoms include vomiting and stomach pain. This is a medical emergency, and such dogs must be treated by a vet. Some breeds, like miniature schnauzers, are genetically predisposed to pancreatitis.

9. Cocoa bean mulch
A common food byproduct used in gardens has been found to cause vomiting, tremors and fast heartbeat when dogs eat it.

Cocoa bean shells contain the same toxic theobromine that chocolate does, and are poisonous to dogs for the same reason. The mulch has an attractive chocolate smell that is irresistible to many dogs.

See our previous post on Chocolate for more information on this toxic food.

10. Poinsettia, Holly & Mistletoe
Despite common misconceptions, poinsettias are only mildly toxic, and most dogs who eat them will experience no symptoms at all. Some dogs will drool or vomit after eating them. Holly causes intense nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe causes vomiting, diarrhea, neurological problems and heart failure.

I personally didn't know aoubt raw bread dough or macadamia nuts.

Oh, I know there is LOTS more, but these I found to be interesting as they aren't commonly considered. Like the xylitol..I'm diabetic, and people give me the sugar free candy with that all the time...and it gives me violent gastric distress, but who really considers what happens if the dog eats it?

Answer 1

wow i never knew any of this...thank you for letting everyone know

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Did you know? 10 things toxic to dogs?
1. Grapes
Many people give this fruit to their dogs as a treat. However, just a few bites can cause fatal kidney failure in some dogs.


Both grapes and raisins can be toxic. Some dogs eat them with seemingly no ill effects. However, some dogs become ill after ingesting only a few grapes or...

Answer 3

jen

I posted a xylitol question a few months ago and no one had any help for me!

Lucky got into and ate an entire package of gum - containing xylitol. It has shown to be toxic in doses as low as 0.1 grams xylitol/kg of dog's weight. Lucky ate enough to be at 0.15 grams/kg. Initially the symptoms are hypoglycemia - which can be managed if you have the time to be there to feed your dog small meals throughout the day.

72 hours post ingestion liver dysfunction is seen. So Lucky went in for serum testing. if they catch it early enough they can be put on hepato-protection drugs (via IV and a nice expensive stay at the clinic). Luckily Lucky (hehe)'s liver enzymes came back perfect. But it was a scary three days.

I have the original article on the xylitol studies done and I ended up calling (literally - on the phone) one of hte lead scientists who conducted the study of the data and spoke to her about Lucky, his ingestion and his recovery. It was enlightening - one would think - hey no big deal - but apparently dogs process xylitol sooooo well via their metabolism (while humans don't) that they see a 6 times greater glucose response in dogs. This leads to the hypoglycemia. they have not figured out though why dogs insides esentially end up "melting" after 72 hours. At least Lucky made it!

Answer 4

Thanks for the info. I rarely feed my dogs food other than dog food....but occasionally I will give them a treat of either chicken or eggs or some fruit (such as apples, cantaloupe or bananas) and vegi's. I don't think I have ever fed them grapes, but I know I have them in the house almost all the time...so there could be a time where a grape had dropped on the floor or something. I appreciate you giving all of us this information...especially around this time of year. Thanks, Jen!

Answer 5

Yeah, I knew all of these. Good information for people to have though, so thanks!

However, one thing about salmon... cooked salmon is perfectly fine and healthy for dogs, as is dried, etc... as long as it isn't cooked with anything harmful or unhealthy (garlic, butter, etc...). Likewise, most fish bought in chain stores is fine, as its from farmed fish who aren't exposed. Also, humans and other animals CAN get the disease, it's just rare and usually less severe.

Also, I think garlic needs a reiteration... So many "healthy" dog biscuits and treats have garlic in them, and this angers me so much. If you make dog biscuits... STOP PUTTING GARLIC IN THEM!!!

Answer 6

Thanks for the post. I starred the question. I've heard of macadamia nut is toxic to dogs. It's very easy to find macadamia nuts in my State. Bread dough is interesting. Also, I've heard peaches and bulb plants are toxic to dogs. I forgot where I saw this, I was planning to plan some lilies in my yard and I found out about that.

Answer 7

WOW!! I have heard about a few of these but not the bread dough. I guess that would also include pizza dough huh? I give my Sheltie a little bite of pizza dough with sauce on it when we have pizza which was just last night. I guess the best thing to do is not feed our fuzzy babies anything but their food. I don't give mine very much but I guess just a little could be bad for them. Thanks for all the info Jennifer.

Answer 8

A fine question indeed for an open forum of delegates of dogmatisms and catstews alike.

I know a pelt of tomatoes can be smattered as rawketchup and phoenetically be castigated unto a rocketship outta there as remedy to cats tomatoes ingest.

Answer 9

Is Salmon Poisonous To Dogs

Answer 10

1

Answer 11

Chicken/fowl bones, and pork bones as these splinter easily when chewed and can lodge in the throat. Sliced ham bones, the small round ones like a donut can get caught around the lower jaw of small breed dogs.