It is important to be aware of common household items that may be poisonous to dogs. Unfortunately, many everyday items contain substances that can be dangerous or even deadly when consumed by our four-legged friends. Knowing what items could potentially poison your dog can help you keep them safe and healthy. In this blog post, we'll cover 13 common household items that are poison to dogs, so you can be aware of potential dangers in your home.
1) Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most common items that can be poisonous to dogs. Eating chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and seizures in dogs. The toxic ingredient in chocolate is theobromine, which is a type of caffeine. The amount of theobromine in chocolate varies depending on the type of chocolate; the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is. So make sure to keep all forms of chocolate away from your pup!
2) Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs and can cause severe kidney damage if ingested. The exact toxin responsible for this effect is still unknown, but it is believed that the ingestion of grapes and raisins can lead to sudden acute kidney failure in some dogs. The reaction is dose-dependent, meaning the amount of grapes or raisins ingested determines how severe the symptoms are. Even a small amount can be enough to cause significant poisoning in some dogs, so it’s important to keep these foods away from pets. Symptoms of grape or raisin poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, increased thirst, and weakness. If your dog has eaten any grapes or raisins, it’s important to seek veterinary care immediately as this can be a life-threatening situation. So it’s best to keep all grapes and raisins away from your pet to prevent any potential poisoning.
3) Onions and garlic
It is a common misconception that onions and garlic are harmless to dogs. However, both of these vegetables can be poisonous to dogs. Onions contain thiosulphate, which can damage a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia. Garlic contains allicin, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs. Both onions and garlic should be avoided when feeding your dog as even small amounts can be toxic and potentially poison your dog.
4) Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is often found in chewing gums, candy, toothpaste, and other food products. Although it is considered safe for humans, xylitol is highly poisonous to dogs and can lead to serious health issues if ingested. When consumed by a dog, xylitol causes a rapid release of insulin into their system, leading to a drop in blood sugar levels. This can result in vomiting, lethargy, disorientation, seizures, and even death. Therefore, it is important to keep xylitol-containing products out of reach of your pets and to be aware of any symptoms of poisoning in case your dog does ingest something containing the sweetener. If you suspect that your dog has eaten anything with xylitol in it, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
5) Coffee, tea and energy drinks
Drinks containing caffeine can be highly poisonous to dogs. Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause rapid heart rate, restlessness, vomiting, panting and even seizures in dogs if ingested. As with many other substances, the toxicity of coffee, tea and energy drinks for dogs is dependent on the size of the dog and the amount ingested. Therefore, it’s important to keep these items away from dogs and consult a veterinarian if your pet accidentally ingests any of them. In severe cases, emergency treatment may be required to prevent severe poisoning in dogs.
6) Alcohol
Ingestion of even small amounts of alcohol can lead to a range of issues, from vomiting and diarrhea to potentially life-threatening respiratory failure, coma, and death. Alcohol can quickly be absorbed into the bloodstream, and the effects on an animal’s nervous system can be devastating. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning in dogs can include tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, confusion, depression, and coma. If you suspect that your dog has been exposed to alcohol, contact your veterinarian immediately.
7) Raw meat and bones
The pros of feeding raw meat and bones to dogs include providing them with an easily digestible form of protein, as well as providing a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. However, there are some serious cons to consider before feeding raw meat and bones to your dog. The most serious of these risks is that raw meat and bones can contain bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can cause serious illness or even death if ingested by your dog. Additionally, if not fed properly, bones can splinter and cause choking or damage to the digestive system. It's important to always supervise your dog when feeding them raw meat and bones, and make sure you are feeding them the correct sizes and types of bones for their size. Overall, it is important to remember that raw meat and bones can be poisonous to dogs if not fed properly. If you do decide to feed your dog raw meat and bones, make sure to do so carefully and under close supervision.
8) Dairy products
When it comes to determining what’s safe and what’s not safe for your dog, dairy products are in a category of their own. While some dogs may enjoy and benefit from small amounts of plain yogurt, cheese, or cottage cheese, too much dairy can be poisonous for dogs. This is because dairy products contain lactose, which can be difficult for dogs to digest. If your dog consumes too much dairy, it can lead to gastrointestinal upset and even diarrhea. In extreme cases, dairy poisoning can even lead to life-threatening conditions such as pancreatitis. To ensure the safety of your pup, it’s best to avoid feeding them any dairy products unless they are specifically recommended by a veterinarian.
9) Mouldy or rotting food
Mouldy or rotting food is also considered to be extremely poisonous to dogs. Eating mouldy food can result in significant health complications and even death. Symptoms that your dog may be suffering from after eating mouldy food include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, and depression. If you suspect that your dog has ingested mouldy or rotting food, contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment. Eating mouldy or rotting food can be fatal for dogs and therefore should be avoided at all costs as it can be a source of serious Poison to Dogs.
10) Avocados
While avocados are a healthy snack for humans, they can be poisonous to dogs. Avocado contains a toxin called persin, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and heart congestion in dogs if consumed in large amounts. Ingesting small amounts of avocado is unlikely to cause any harm, but it’s still best to keep avocados away from your pup. Eating even the smallest piece of avocado skin or pit can be dangerous, as these parts contain the most persin and can be a choking hazard. If you think your dog has eaten an avocado, monitor them for symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, and seek veterinary care if necessary.
11) Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, like lemons, oranges, and limes, can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large quantities. The compounds in these fruits are known to cause gastrointestinal upset and can even lead to kidney failure if a dog eats too much. It is important to note that the seeds and rinds of citrus fruits contain a higher concentration of these compounds and should be avoided. While small amounts of citrus fruits can be fed to dogs as treats, it is best to keep them away from dogs in order to prevent any potential health complications.
12) Nuts
Many nuts, including almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and macadamia nuts, contain a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems in dogs. Eating too many can also lead to pancreatitis, which can be fatal. Additionally, the shells of some nuts can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage if ingested. Therefore, it is important to keep nuts away from your pet and always seek veterinary attention if you suspect your pet has eaten something poisonous.
13) Houseplants
Some of the most poisonous plants for dogs include lilies, sago palm, oleander, and azalea. These plants contain toxins that can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, as well as kidney damage, heart problems, and even death in some cases. Ingesting even small amounts of these plants can be fatal to a dog, so it is important to keep any potential poisonous plants out of your pet’s reach. Other common houseplants that may be toxic to dogs include philodendrons, ivy, caladiums, dieffenbachia, amaryllis, and yew.