Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on November 17, 2009 at 2:08pm

Here's a list from another thread. I'm not sure how accurate it really is:


- grapes (including raisins);
- rhubarb (which is outright poisonous to all animals not just dogs);
- onions (including dried and powered);
- chicken bones;
- any bones that have been cooked;
- poinsettias;
- tomatoes;
- chocolate;
- caffeine (and anything that contains it);
- alcohol (goes without saying);
- hops (this makes beer--which they LOVE the taste of--a double whammy)
- acetaminophen (outside the US: paracetamol. Brand: Tylenol);
- cat food;
- pork (Molly will scarf it down, and puke it right back up almost immediately);
- avocado;
- most prescription medications;
- most over the counter medications;
- most vitamin supplements;
- antifreeze (or any other automotive fluid for that matter);
- yeast (and high yeast breads);
- garlic (includes powered);
- shallot;
- Macadamia nuts;
- walnuts
- pits of fruits (same problem as nuts only worse: hydrogen cyanide);
- nutmeg;

Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on November 18, 2009 at 11:32am

I believe it's a matter of quantity. I've seen lots of dog foods and treats that use garlic, and my vet told me to add garlic powder to my cat's food to help repel fleas (this was years ago!). I think they mean to avoid whole raw cloves.

Permalink Reply by Greg Doornbos-Ross on November 19, 2009 at 8:23am

Here is what I found on another site: http://www.entirelypets.com/toxicfoods.html
There also is a chart of poisonous plants on that page as well.

Chocolate/Caffeine:

Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic.
After their pet has eaten a large quantity of chocolate, many pet owners assume their pet is unaffected. However, the signs of sickness may not be seen for several hours, with death following within twenty-four hours. Symptoms include Staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, arrhythmia, seizures, coma, death.

Cocoa powder and cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms. A 10-kilogram dog can be seriously affected if it eats a quarter of a 250gm packet of cocoa powder or half of a 250gm block of cooking chocolate. These forms of chocolate contain ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Thus, a chocolate mud cake could be a real health risk for a small dog. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a cake can make a dog unwell.

Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate are the next most dangerous forms, with milk chocolate being the least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250gm block of milk chocolate to be affected. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the less it needs to eat.

Onions/Garlic:
Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger.

Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body. Symptoms include Hemolytic Anemia, labored breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea, discolored urine.

The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion. All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness.

While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.

Mushrooms:
Mushroom toxicity does occur in dogs and it can be fatal if certain species of mushrooms are eaten. Amanita phalloides is the most commonly reported severely toxic species of mushroom in the US but other Amanita species are toxic. Symptoms include Abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting diarrhea, convulsions, coma, death

Grapes/Raisins:
As few as a handful of raisins or grapes can make a dog ill; however, of the 10 cases reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), each dog ingested between 9 ounces and 2 pounds of grapes or raisins. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.

Macadamia Nuts:
Macadamia nuts are another concern, along with most other kinds of nuts. Their high phosphorus content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones. Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.

NOTE: Pets owners should not assume that human food is always safe for pets. When it comes to chocolate, onions, garlic and macadamia nuts, such foods should be given in only small quantities, or not at all. Be sure that your pets can’t get into your stash of chocolates, that food scraps are disposed of carefully to prevent onion and garlic toxicity and that your dog is prevented from picking up macadamia nuts if you have a tree in your garden.

Baby Food:
Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources:
Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Cat Food:
Cat food is generally too high in protein and fats.

Fat Trimmings:
Can cause pancreatitis.

Milk and other dairy products:
Some adult dogs and cats 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.

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.


Holiday Plants:
Pet owners need to take extra care with holiday plants. When the holidays roll around, we often get caught up in the festivities and don't realize that we may be bringing something very dangerous into your home for your pets. be aware of what holiday decorations may be toxic and avoid turning a happy occasion into a tragic one.

Poinsettias:
These plants are probably the most popular holiday plant and are easily recognizable by their large red, white, pink, or mottled leaves. These plants also contain a thick, milky irritant sap. In general, it would take ingestion of a large amount of this plant to see possible clinical signs in your pet. Signs could include vomiting, anorexia and depression. The symptoms are generally self-limiting and treatment is rarely needed. Your Vet may recommend limiting food and water intake for 1 or 2 hours if your pet is suspected of becoming sick after ingestion of poinsettias.

Easter Lilies:
Some members of the Lilly family of plants can result in serious illness in cats. Specifically, Easter Lilies, tiger lilies, Japanese show lilies, rubrum lilies, many lily hybrids and day lilies have been known to cause kidney failure.

Permalink Reply by Darlene Hennessy on November 28, 2009 at 7:53am

It isn't food but I just wanted to let you all know about the sugar free substitute xylitol. The xylitol can be very deadly to dogs. It drops their blood sugar severely causing a seizure, then it can cause liver damage and they may start bleeding. It is in sugar free gum, mints, some sugar free cookies, cupcakes. My friend almost lost her dog from this poisoning. He got into her daughters gum. She spent several thousand dollars for treatment, and a week of worrying if he would survive. So please watch out for the sugar free treats, and keep them away from your dog. This isn't usually put on the list of poisons for dogs. So I pass it on every chance I get!

Permalink Reply by Potus on November 17, 2009 at 8:07pm

I'm curious as to pork being on the list. Anyone have any idea why this is bad for dogs?

Permalink Reply by Edward and Gemima on November 17, 2009 at 9:02pm

Edward was already chewing some pine needles off a garland I was putting up outside. Are Pine Needles OK????

Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on November 17, 2009 at 11:00pm

Along with Geri and Sidneys list. I have one that has killed animals and that is the Jet Swiffer spray for the floors! I am told that this is very close to the chemical compounds in anti-freeze...so be aware if you use this a several dogs who have licked the floor have supposedly died ( affects the liver I believe)!!!

Why do you think cat food and pork are so bad? I don't know I'm just asking...not that my dogs get either in large quanities!
I have a hops plant..it's beautiful but it's climbing a pole so I hope it's safe.

Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on November 18, 2009 at 3:01am

Cat food because it is too high in protein, is what my vet told me, but I know many dogs foods are pure protein. Go figure, huh?
I suspect the pork may be because of high fat. I wonder if lean cuts are ok? Back when we used to cook hams, the dogs always got scraps from it.

Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on November 18, 2009 at 11:30am

Jessi, check the labels for country of origin. Avoid any treats made in China...many dogs have gotten sick and even died from China-made treats. My corgi mix Bruce has failing kidneys because of chicken jerky made in China. USA made treats cost a little more but it is worth it. Many are also made in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia; I think I feel OK about those but I prefer to get USA-made when I can.

Permalink Reply by Edward and Gemima on November 18, 2009 at 7:53pm

We also try to buy US made treats etc. My vet actually was the one who recommended this when my two were just puppies! Sometimes it is not easy to find US made believe it or not!

Permalink Reply by Edward and Gemima on November 19, 2009 at 12:00pm

Thanks for the Lists and explanations of why all these things are dangerous to our pups!! I bought an artificial Poinsettia on clearance a few years ago and it is the only one I have in my home. It actually is pretty realistic looking!!

Does anyone have Corgis who have a fascination with chewing on cords? I wll have tons of cords laying around soon and it makes me a little nervous cuz Edward is still in the puppy/chewing stage!!(note: covering them with duct tape is only more addicting to him)

Permalink Reply by Greg Doornbos-Ross on November 19, 2009 at 4:30pm

We bought a spray called "Phooey" and sprayed it on the cords. He didn't like the taste at all. Don't get it on your fingers or you'll be tasting it for a week too. Also I have a friend who made a paste with red pepper, that kept her dogs away from the cords. I'm sure there's many remedies. I've also heard of people using a spray called bitter apple. We have some in our cupboard, to bad I can't email it to you. Kirby thinks bitter apple is a condiment. :)

I highly recommend both of the sellers below. Pet Edge is one of the best places to buy toys etc, as their prices are lower than most pet stores.

You can get bitter apple at: http://www.petedge.com/catalog/search.jsp?Ntt=bitter%20apple&Nt...

You can get phooey at: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+18170...

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