Some foods are harmless to humans but toxic to dogs — while other foods are hazardous to dogs but completely safe to eat yourself. So, especially if you're only familiar with edible food types, we've created this handy list of five common dog-toxic foods and their toxic effects.
It's essential to keep your dog's diet balanced, varied, and healthy to keep him healthy and happy throughout his life. Sometimes, though, the things you think are harmless to your pup might be toxic – and it could cause him to get sick or even die from eating it! Here are five foods you probably didn't know were poisonous to dogs.
1) Avocados
When it comes to keeping our beloved four-legged friends safe and healthy, we often forget to pay attention to what they eat. Unfortunately, many everyday human foods, including avocados, can be toxic for dogs.
Avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can be toxic to dogs in large doses. In addition, ingesting avocado leaves, bark, or fruit can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other serious side effects. So if your pup loves snacking on avocados, you should rethink that choice.
Fortunately, dogs can still enjoy avocados in moderation in small amounts and when appropriately prepared. Try feeding your pup plain mashed avocado as an occasional treat. Remove the skin and pits first, and keep portions small.
2) Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener commonly found in products such as candy, gum, breath mints, and even some toothpaste. Giving your pup a piece of candy or gum may not seem like a big deal, but xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. Ingesting even a small amount of xylitol can cause a severe drop in your dog's blood sugar level, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures, and even coma. If your pup has ingested any xylitol product, take them to the vet immediately. The vet will induce vomiting if necessary, provide fluids through IV therapy, and give medications to counteract the effects of xylitol.
3) Macadamia nuts
If you're a pet parent, you've probably heard that chocolate can be toxic for dogs. But did you know that macadamia nuts can also be hazardous for your pup? Macadamia nuts are one of the many human foods off-limits for our furry friends.
Macadamia nuts can cause several symptoms in dogs, including weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia.
Macadamia nuts may look innocent enough, but they can have severe consequences for your pup. This nut contains healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants – but it's not safe for dogs. Macadamia nuts are on the list of toxic food items for dogs because they contain high-fat levels, which can lead to pancreatitis.
4) Coffee and caffeine
One of the most common foods pet owners don't know is toxic to dogs is coffee and other caffeine-containing products. While we may enjoy our morning cup of joe, this popular drink is dangerous for our furry friends. Caffeine can cause a dog to experience a rapid heartbeat, vomiting, excessive thirst and urination, restlessness, and even death in extreme cases. Symptoms can begin within an hour of ingestion, so monitoring your pup for any adverse reactions if you think they've ingested caffeine is essential. The same goes for other caffeine-related foods, such as tea, chocolate, energy drinks, and sodas.
Contact your vet immediately if your pup has eaten something containing caffeine. Your vet will likely induce vomiting and start IV fluids to flush out their system while monitoring them closely. In some cases, dogs need more intensive care, like dialysis or a blood transfusion, because their body can't handle the high levels of caffeine. A few hours after treatment, your pup should be back to normal but keep an eye on them for signs of relapse like restlessness or increased thirst.
5) Alcohol
Alcohol is a food that most people wouldn't think of as being toxic for dogs, but unfortunately, it can be. Like humans, when dogs consume alcohol, it can affect their brains and body. Dogs can suffer from alcohol poisoning just like people, and the signs are similar; vomiting, difficulty breathing, and even coma or death. Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous for dogs, so it's best to keep any alcoholic beverages away from them.
Your vet may need to induce vomiting or give activated charcoal to help absorb some alcohol before the stomach lining absorbs it. Also, keep an eye on your pup after consuming alcohol, and make sure they don't have access to any more while they recover. It's not uncommon for a dog who has had too much alcohol to vomit several times in quick succession, so if this happens, watch closely to ensure there's nothing in their mouth that might choke them.
Like toxic foods for humans, such as chocolate and caffeine, there are also poisonous foods for dogs that can make them very sick or even kill them. Some most commonly eaten toxic foods include onion and garlic, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, and xylitol, found in some sugarless gum. If your dog has eaten any of these foods, be sure to call your vet immediately because these toxins can quickly cause sickness in your pet!
