Toxic Household Items and Human Foods to Keep Away from Your Dog

Pet Poisons, Human Foods Bad For Dogs

It's easy to give in to those sad eyes, the licking of the chops, and the cute turning of the head. We've all been there. Your dog is your four-legged, furry child. Who can resist feeding them a little nibble of candy, chocolate, or a leftover glob of guacamole every once in a while?

YOU should. And, in a household that contains more than just you and your dog...how do you know who is feeding what to them? While you eat dinner, Fido could be making his rounds under the table, enjoying an avalanche of yummy human food being tossed into his ever-hungry gob-hole. NOT good!

Below, I've posted a list (and will update as I can) of toxic substances and items that should not be left in reach of or fed to dogs. Please feel free to print/re-post, plaster on your refrigerator, place under windshield wipers, etc. as needed. If it saves the life of just one dog...:smile:

Acetaminophen, Amphetamines, Antihistamines, Decongestants, Aspirin, etc. - Poisonous for dogs. Of course. If your dog can reach it, your small child might be able to reach it, too. Of course, my niece's Great Dane can reach the top of the refrigerator...

Cocaine - DUH. That's all I'll say here.

Alcoholic beverages - Can cause intoxication, coma, and death. Drunk dogs are NOT funny.

Avocados - Contain persin which is destructive to the heart and lung as well as other tissues in animals – the exact way is unknown. Additionally the high fat in avocados can upset a dog’s stomach and cause vomiting and possibly pancreatitis. Symptoms are subtle but include breathing difficulties and a bloated abdomen.

Baby food (certain types) - Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts. Hmmmm...

Bones from fish, cooked bones from poultry or other meat sources - Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system due to splintering of the bones.

Cat food - Generally too high in protein and fats to be good for dogs. That's why they call it CAT food.

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine including coffee grounds (in garbage) - Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems. The fat content in chocolate is dangerous, as well.

Citrus oil extracts - Can cause vomiting.

Fat trimmings - Can cause pancreatitis. DO NOT feed your dog turkey skin, hot dogs, bacon, etc.

Garlic (see Onions)

Grapes and raisins - Contain an unknown toxin which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.

Hops - Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.

Human vitamin supplements containing iron - Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.

Ibuprofen - The second most common cause of canine poisoning in the world today is ibuprofen. Dogs love the smell of this drug and will do anything to get at it if a bottle is around the house and not securely locked away.

Large amounts of liver - Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.

Macadamia nuts - Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle. Can cause temporary paralysis, which could last up to 24 hours. This leads to UNNECCESSARY euthanizations EVERY YEAR because some Vets are unaware of this condition!!! rip

Marijuana - Another DUH. Plus, who can afford to feed their dog some Mary Jane these days? But seriously, it's bad for them, too. It can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting and changes in the heart rate.

Milk and other dairy products -Some adult dogs do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets. Don't give it to your CATS, either!!

Moldy or spoiled food, garbage - Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.

Mushrooms - Can lead to abdominal pain caused by liver or kidney damage. Vomiting and diarrhea followed by convulsion, coma and death is quite possible if eaten.

Nutmeg - Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) - Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells by causing hemolytic anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

Persimmons - Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.

Pits from apples, cherries, peaches and plums - Contain cyanide and can also cause obstruction of the digestive tract.

Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems - Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock.

Raw eggs - Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Raw fish - Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.

Salt - If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

String - Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."

Sugary foods - Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Table scraps (in large amounts) - Not very nutritionally balanced for dogs. Scraps, along with store-bought or homemade treats, should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed if they've been cooked.

Tobacco - Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.

Walnuts - Because of their high phosphorous content, walnuts can potentially give your dog bladder stones.

Xylitol - Can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, seizures and possible liver failure.

Yeast dough - Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

Of course, smaller dogs are more at risk when they ingest something that may not cause too much harm in a larger dog. Age and health status, along with the dog's size, can add or minimize risks. Ask your Vet if you have any doubts, questions, or problems.

Please feel free to send me any items/substances that are potentially toxic. If they are not on this list, I will be glad to add them.

Thanks, everyone. May your children, furry or otherwise, have long, happy and healthy lives.

Reply by Rebecca (Rivkah) McFarland on January 3, 2009 at 7:24am

Todah Rabah for posting this, I was aware of only about 1/2 of these things, and wondered about some of the others, but.... if I wonder, I don't give it to my puppy Fritz, cause I "wuv him". He's such a gift from YHWH, he's the best puppy we've ever had, and I've had many.

I always think of the shepherds in Israel who have their flocks and how they love their flocks, their lambs and sheep so much and tend and care for them, well... parallelling that, since we can't have a flock of sheep or lambs here, YAH has blessed us with this little smart puppy, and so sweet.... Thank you Abba YHWH, we love You, O Wonderful Creator of all things in heaven and in earth.
May YHWH bless you sweet sister
Shabbat Shalom!
In Yeshua, Rivkah

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