Dogs and Human Food
Dogs are clever. Sometimes they embrace human foods they shouldn't. Thus, it's important to understand which of the foods we enjoy are toxic to dogs.
Dogs don't digest food like humans. That's why foods and plants that are harmless to humans can be deadly to dogs.
Foods You Should Never Give Your Dog
This list is a summary of some of the most common foods toxic to dogs. To find out more about which foods are toxic to dogs, speak to your Southgate vet.
Garlic, Onions, Shallots, and Chives
Dogs can be poisoned by garlic, onions, shallots, and chives, whether they are raw or cooked. The substances may cause anemia and damage red blood cells. Illness may take several days to manifest signs.
Xylitol
Chewing gum containing xylitol, an artificial sweetener, can cause vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, liver failure, and hypoglycemia. Loss of consciousness or even death can result from these in extreme cases.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts have a toxin that can affect your dog’s muscles and nervous system. Your dog can suffer weakness, swollen limbs, and panting.
Chocolate
Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, has a stimulant called theobromine which can cause kidney failure.
Cooked Bones
Splintered bones can perforate the gut when cooked. Peritonitis or even death can be caused by this. So while cooked bones are not necessarily toxic to dogs, you should take care to never feed them.
What plants can poison my dog?
Many plants can make your dog sick. You should always keep your dog from chewing on any plants or vegetation outside. What can be safe and beautiful for you can be toxic for your dog.
Below, our vets list some of the plants toxic to your dog. If your dog does eat any of these, bring them to our emergency animal hospital in Southgate.
Milkweed
Milkweed is a beautiful plant, but it can have severe effects on your dog's health. It causes rapid or weak pulse, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, nausea, and even death.
Mistletoe
Many homes have mistletoe during the winter holidays, but if you own a dog, you should beware. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and drooling are caused by mistletoe. It causes collapse, seizures, abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure, and, in some serious cases, death.
Foxglove
Your dog can experience serious effects from foxglove. But how much foxglove your dog eats can vary the severity of the symptoms. Symptoms may include tremors, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, heart failure, and death.
Tulips
People love tulips because they are one of the most popular spring flowers. If you own a dog, however, we suggest you keep tulips out of your yard. Tulip petals upset your dog's stomach, and the bulb is even more toxic. An upset stomach, loss of appetite, and depression can be caused by it.
Treating Poisoned Dogs
Treatment for your dog will depend on the food or plant they ate. The treatments your vet could perform include:
- Antidotes (if one is available for the specific plant)
- Stomach pumping
- Induced vomiting
Always contact your vet as soon as you suspect your dog has ingested something toxic. The veterinarian will give you instructions to help your dog while you are on the way to the clinic. Only induce vomiting if a veterinarian instructs you to do so.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.