I confess, I feed my dog table scraps. When it comes to feeding my dogs human foods, it is important to keep in mind that some foods can be toxic and cause serious complications.
Years ago, I lost track of the number of times I had to check which foods were good or bad for my dog. For your convenience, I have compiled a list of foods you should avoid giving to your dog. Here are 21 foods toxic to dogs that come from humans.
Alcohol
Alcohol poisoning can be caused by fermented foods such as bread, rotten fruit and spoiled apples. Alcohol poisoning can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and difficulty breathing. It may also cause coma or even death.
Apricot
The leaves, stems and seeds of the apricot contain cyanide that can interfere with oxygen absorption. Ingesting toxic quantities can cause dilation of the pupils, difficulty in breathing, panting and bright red gums. It may even lead to death.
Avocado
The toxin persin found in avocados can cause stomach upsets in cats and dogs. The large pits can also cause obstructions if they are swallowed. Avocado poisoning is usually mild in dogs and cats, but it can be fatal for birds and large mammals like cattle and horses.
Caffeine
Caffeine is more toxic to dogs than it is to humans. Even a small amount can be fatal. Caffeine is found in coffee, sodas, tea, diet pills, energy drinks, and tea. It can also be found in tea grounds, coffee bags, and even tea leaves.
Restlessness, hyperactivity and tremors are all symptoms of caffeine toxicity. Other signs include seizures, abnormal heart rhythms and collapse. The symptoms can start within 1 to 2 hours after ingestion and last up to 12 hour.
Candies & Gums
Many gums and candies contain xylitol, a highly toxic artificial sweetener for dogs. Even a small amount of xylitol can lead to severe complications such as hypoglycemia or liver failure. Orbit, Mentos Ice Breakers, Nicorette, Trident and Nicorette are all popular brands that contain this sweetener. (Here's a comprehensive listing).
Dogs can show symptoms of xylitol intoxication, including vomiting, reduced activity, weakness and collapse. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect that your dog ingested candy or gum containing xylitol.
Cherries
Cherries are another human food that can be toxic to dogs. Cherry pits and leaves can cause intestinal obstructions in dogs. The stems, seeds, and leaves of cherries all contain cyanide. Cherry toxicity can cause dilated eyes, bright red gums and difficulty breathing.
Chocolate
Theobromine, caffeine and chocolate are toxic for dogs. Theobromine, caffeine and baker's dark chocolate are the most toxic to dogs.
Chocolate poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea and excessive thirst in dogs. It can also lead to tremors, seizures or abnormal heart rates. The symptoms can appear anywhere between 6-12 hour and can last up to 72 hours. If you suspect that your dog has eaten chocolate, contact your veterinarian.
Coffee
As mentioned above, dogs are more sensitive to caffeine than humans. Moderate ingestion can lead to poisoning and even death. Hyperactivity, vomiting and elevated heart rate are all signs of caffeine poisoning.
Garlic
Garlic belongs to the Allium Family, which also contains onions, leeks, and chives. It contains npropyldisulfide, as well as thiosulfate, both toxic for dogs. Garlic in large amounts can damage the red blood cell membrane, causing anemia.
Garlic poisoning can cause vomiting, bloody urination, weakness, panting and even collapse.
Grapes
Can cause toxicity to dogs from grapes and raisins, but the exact substance responsible for the reaction is not known. Grape poisoning symptoms in dogs can occur within hours after ingestion. They include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration.
Grape poisoning can cause severe kidney damage and even sudden kidney failure. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog may have eaten grapes or raisins.
Hops
The plant hops is toxic to dogs. It's also used in brewing beer, and some herbal remedies. The symptoms of toxicity include hyperthermia in dogs, vomiting, increased heart rate and panting.
Macadamia nuts
Dogs are poisoned by macadamia nut. They are not commonly eaten as a snack, but they are found in baked goods like cakes, cookies and muffins.
The unknown toxin found in macadamia nuts can negatively affect the muscles, digestive tract and nervous system in dogs. macadamia-nut poisoning can cause dogs to show symptoms such as weakness, depression and vomiting.
Mushrooms
Some mushrooms, such as the most common in North America, are toxic for dogs. Mushroom poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain in dogs.
If you suspect that your dog has eaten mushrooms, contact your veterinarian and bring along a small sample for identification.
Onions
Both thiosulfate and n-propyldisulfide, which are toxic to dogs, can be found in onions. Onions can damage red blood cells in large quantities, causing anemia. Onion toxicity can cause vomiting, bloody urin, weakness, panting and collapse in dogs.
Pitted Fruits
It's important that you remove all the pits, seeds and leaves before giving your dog certain fruits. Dogs are poisoned by many fruit seeds, leaves and pits.
Raisins
Raisins are one of the most common foods to be toxic for dogs. The exact substance responsible for the toxicity is not known, but raisins (and grapes), can be toxic to dogs. The symptoms of raisin poisoning in dogs usually appear within hours after ingestion.
The symptoms of poisoning by raising in dogs are diarrhea, vomiting and weakness. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, thirst, abdominal pain, dehydration and nausea. In some cases, raisins can cause kidney damage to dogs that leads to sudden kidney failure. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog may have eaten raisins.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is toxic to dogs because it contains soluble calcium-oxalate crystals. Ingestion of rhubarb in dogs can lead to a sudden decrease in calcium, which can cause acute kidney failure. poisoning can cause vomiting and diarrhea, as well as drooling and weakness. Other symptoms include bloody urine and tremors.
Salty Snacks
Dogs are toxic to salt, so avoid giving them salty treats like chips and pretzels. If they have plenty of access to fresh water, dogs can tolerate moderate amounts of salt. However, high levels of salt can cause salt toxicity.
Untreated salt poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea and tremors. It can also lead to elevated temperatures, seizures, tremors and even death.
Star Fruit
The star fruit contains crystals of calcium oxalate that are toxic to dogs. Star fruit consumption can cause a sudden drop in calcium levels, which can lead to acute renal failure. Star fruit poisoning can cause drooling and vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. It may also lead to lethargy and bloody urine.
Xylitol
The artificial sweetener Xylitol can be toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol in dogs can lead to severe complications, including liver failure, hypoglycemia and seizures. Dogs can show symptoms of xylitol intoxication such as vomiting, reduced activity, weakness and collapse.
is used in gums, candies and dental products. It's also in fruit drinks, baked goods, vitamin chews, fruit drinks, and some brands of peanut-butter.
If you suspect that your dog may have ingested any xylitol, contact your veterinarian right away.
Yeast (Bread Dough),
The yeast that is found in unbaked bread can be toxic to dogs and even cause life-threatening complications.
Dogs who eat yeast may suffer from two serious problems: bloat (a condition that can be life-threatening) and alcohol poisoning.
When a dog consumes yeast, their stomach expands. This increase in size and pressure can cause bloat, a life-threatening condition that rapidly progresses. Signs of bloat can include vomiting, a distended abdomen, an elevated heartbeat, weakness, collapse, and death.
The ethanol produced by yeast during fermentation is quickly absorbed in the bloodstream of canines. Alcohol poisoning can cause tremors and disorientation in dogs, as well as hypothermia, low blood sugar, respiratory depression, and hypoglycemia. Alcohol poisoning can cause drooling and hyperactivity in dogs, as well as tremors, disorientation, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and respiratory depression.
If you suspect that your dog may have eaten yeast, contact your veterinarian immediately.