As much as we often treat our dogs like they are human members of our family, it’s worth remembering that there’s some crucial differences – especially when it comes to the household items that are toxic to your canine friend.
Most people, whether they’re pet parents or not, are aware that dogs cannot eat some human food (like chocolate) but the danger doesn’t end with foodstuff. It’s worth remembering that dogs interact with most items using their mouths, which puts them at a high risk of experiencing a bad reaction to toxic household items.
If you are a pet parent, planning to become one, or have frequent household visits from a family or friend’s pet, then making yourself aware of the dangers listed below is incredibly important.
Human Foods
Dogs are known to pounce on unattended meals, if you are eating or preparing a meal containing any of the below it is incredibly important to exercise extra precaution.
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- Chocolate – the most commonly known of the foodstuff dogs cannot eat, it often contains caffeine and theobromine which can cause seizures and even death. The worst culprits are dark chocolate and cooking chocolate.
- Grapes & Raisins – can cause acute renal failure. Extra vigilance is needed if young children are snacking on these. Raisins can be found in many cakes and cookies too, so be mindful of that.
- Fruit Stones – while there are many fruits that a dog can and will happily enjoy, the stones and seeds are hazardous to them. For example, apples are a great treat for dogs, especially when frozen in the summer – but the core and seeds must be removed first.
- Onions – attention to food ingredients is crucial, as onions or onion powder can be found in a lot of foods, seasonings and sauces (think twice before sharing leftover meat that has been seasoned). Onions will kill canine blood cells, resulting in Heinz Body Anaemia which can be life-threatening.
- Garlic – not as dangerous as onions, and perfectly safe in small quantities. Large amounts though, are just as damaging.
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- Xylitol – an artificial sweetener that can be found on the ingredient list of a surprising amount of foods, if it’s listed as low-calorie or sugar-free it’s likely that xylitol is used. Xylitol is found in a lot of peanut butters, which is worth noting if you enjoy making DIY dog treats as many recipes use peanut butter.
- Alcohol – it’s not great for humans, so it’s unsurprising that it’s not good for dogs either. Alcohol can cause liver and kidney damage, sickness and acidosis which can lead to cardiac arrest.
- Coffee/Caffeine – the caffeine in coffee can cause seizures and death, as it does in chocolate. Be cautious if you grind your own coffee beans at home, or operate a pet-friendly cafe, as stray beans on floors and surfaces could be ingested.
- Mushrooms – different mushroom varieties can cause different reactions, including: excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea, weakness, collapse, and even organ failure. Remain vigilant on woodland walks as dogs can ingest wild mushrooms.
- (some) Nuts – macadamia nuts are particularly bad.
- Uncooked dough
- Corn cob
- Cooked Bones – risk of splintering and harming your dog’s throat.
Many human foods are perfectly safe for dogs, with a lot of fruits, veg and meat being acceptable and healthy for your pet. The raw food diet sees many dog owners defrosting raw meats and serving fresh fruits and vegetables to their pet- however this can pose it’s own risks. Edmondson’s Dog Food contains a mixture of meat and vegetables for a perfectly balanced, hypoallergenic diet.
Flowers & Plants
The petals and leaves of many popular household plants and flowers are extremely toxic to dogs – in fact, the list of plants and flowers your dog should avoid is extremely long. Some are only harmful if a big quantity is ingested, but others are fatal. If your dog eats a poisonous plant or flower the symptoms can include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, skin allergies, and seizures.
Be cautious of which flowers you send as gifts to friends and loved ones if they have pets, many flowers and plants are also poisonous to cats. Having a dog does not mean you necessarily have to give up plants and flowers for good, instead try these tips:
- Put netting or sturdy caging over garden flowers and plants that are toxic.
- Display vases in places your dog cannot easily access.
- Clear dead petals and leaves promptly, especially once that have fallen off.
Pharmaceuticals
Having a pet in the home requires similar vigilance to having a toddler around, assume anything within reach will end up in their mouth. Both human and veterinary pharmaceuticals can be hazardous to your pet, especially when ingested in large quantities. Ensure these are kept out of sight, preferably in a closed cabinet.
Chemicals
Sounds like a no-brainer, but even the smallest amount can cause issues. Dogs can lick up spillages on floors, or lick their paws after having walked through a dangerous substance which can have devastating consequences. In particular, watch out for the household chemicals below:
- Insecticides
- Rodenticides
- Cleaning Products
- Heavy Metals
- Detergents & Fabric Softener (including sheets)
- Anti-Freeze
- De-Icer
- Fertiliser
Miscellaneous Items
We’ll say it again, treat your dog like you would a toddler. Tidy up and store anything out of reach that they’re likely to put in their mouths (everything). Watch out for:
- Batteries – the acid in them can cause Mouth ulcers, throat and stomach issues.
- Human Toys – if it’s not designed for your dog, it shouldn’t be in their mouth. Small pieces in toys can fall off and get lodged into their throats causing critical health problems.
Summary
If in doubt, assume it’s toxic. Anything that isn’t designed for your dog is likely not good for them. Most of us refer to our dogs as our babies, and they should be treated as such – put dangerous items out of reach and use child locks and toddler gates for their safety.
Concerned your pet has ingested something that they shouldn’t? Contact your veterinarian immediately.
