What food is poisonous to dogs?

These top offendersare some of the most common causes for vet visits, so be sure to keep far away from your pet:

• Onions -the nightshade family can be nasty for dogs, often with delayed effects. 
• Garlic
• Chives
• Chocolate - yes it’s true! The theobromine, which is highest in dark chocolate, can cause kidney failure for canines.
• Macadamia nuts - large amounts of nuts are no good for your dog, but macadamia are especially dangerous. 
• Corn on the cob - due to its ability to block the intestines of dogs. 
• Avocado 
• Peaches
• Plums - the seeds and stones of some fruits can damage your dog’s gut.
• Raw egg - the chance of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli is pretty high with these, so be careful!
• Grapes - causing liver and kidney damage. 
• Raisins

Other common offenders around the house include:

• Xylitol - an artificial sweetener common in many household products recently, that can cause hypoglycemia in dogs. Peanut butter with added sweetener is a common slip up for many owners, so be careful to check your labels! 
• Alcohol 
• Cooked bones - as they splinter much more easily than raw bones, causing gut perforation.
• Fat trimmings
• Caffeine - even that in carbonated drinks.
• Salty foods- excess salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning for your dog.
• Cat food - usually very high in fat, making it incompatible with a dog’s stomach

Dog toxic ingestion symptoms

Signs of illnessor toxic consumption are not always immediateand can occur up to a few days later. Some dogs are also more sensitive than others, so a small amount of food might cause no reaction for one dog, but may be enough to make another dog very sick.

You can expect to see any or all of the following if your dog has eaten a toxic substance:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Lethargy 
• Dehydration
• Lack of coordination
• Confusion
• Tremors 
• Seizures 
• Collapsing

If your dog has ingested anything on the list above,or you notice any of the common symptoms, it’s recommended you visit your vetstraight away. Even if they seem fine, early action could save their life.  

Prevention is the best cure

In the meantime, make sure your cupboards are paw-prooffor even the sneakiest of hounds. Baby gates or cupboard fasteners are a great option if you need some extra protection too. 

Pay attention on your walksto make sure that your dog doesn’t get a hold of any unwanted snacks. 

Discourage friends, family and visitors from sharing their leftovers. Some dogs can be very sensitive to fatty foods, which often make up much of a human diet. Excess fat can lead to pancreas problems and see your dog needing a hospital trip.