Human food can throw a dog’s system out of whack, and can cause mild and serious health problems. Not all “people” foods are necessarily toxic for dogs, and not all dogs react to them the same way. For instance, small dogs tend to be more sensitive than large ones. After monitoring complaints and adverse events through the FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal, the agency has identified the top people foods and ingredients that could cause you and your pet to head to an animal hospital.
1. Alliums
Onions, garlic, and chives—and any foods seasoned with them because they’ve been associated with a disorder called hemolytic anemia, says Hartogensis, which can damage a dog’s red blood cells. The same goes for spices such as onion and garlic powder. If your dog happens to eat any of these alliums, watch out for symptoms of hemolytic anemia: disorientation, fatigue, listlessness, pale gums, and a rapid heartbeat. As the disease progresses, dogs can also develop darkened urine, jaundice, and vomiting.
2. Foods That Have Gone Bad
Some dogs serve as little vacuum cleaners, cleaning up all the crumbs on the floor, but that doesn’t mean they can double as a living compost bin. If a food has mold or you think it has otherwise spoiled, don’t feed it to your dog.
3. Fried or Fatty Foods
Foods that are overly fatty, such as fried chicken, are very toxic for dogs. Such foods can cause inflammation of the pancreas, causing that organ to produce enzymes that can severely damage your pet’s intestines and can even be life-threatening.
4. Grapes
Scientists aren’t sure exactly why grapes, currants and raisins are one of the most toxic foods for dogs, or which compound in them makes dogs so sick, but there’s been a well-established association between grapes and acute kidney failure in some pups. If your pooch sneaks a grape while you’re not looking, even if it’s just one, watch for signs of kidney failure, which can initially include diarrhea and vomiting, and then abdominal pain, dehydration, lethargy, low urine output, and weakness, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
5. Macadamia Nuts
Pet owners should keep their dogs away from all nuts, but especially macadamia nuts. A dog would have to eat a fair amount of macadamia nuts to get sick, but if it does, it could become depressed or experience fever, muscle weakness, and vomiting.
6. Raw Meat
Uncooked meats can harbor potentially deadly bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, which can wreak havoc on the digestive system. While dogs are typically less prone to infections from bacteria like these than humans are, the bacteria can still make them sick.
7. Salty Snacks
In large amounts, foods containing excess salt can cause sodium ion poisoning in dogs, leading to depression, diarrhea, high fever, excessive thirst, kidney damage, seizures, and vomiting. A potato chip or a pretzel probably won’t do much damage, but a whole bag might, according to the FDA. Make sure your dog has enough water at all times, especially if it dipped into some salty snacks.
8. Xylitol
More and more, manufacturers are adding this low-calorie sugar substitute to processed foods and other products such as baked goods, breath mints, gums, mouthwashes, toothpastes, and more. Dog owners may not know that even a little bit of the sweetener can cause a rapid spike in the animals’ insulin levels, which could cause blood sugar to plummet to dangerous lows. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning initially include vomiting and can later progress to fainting, seizures, staggering, and weakness.
Learn more in this list from Consumer reports:
https://www.consumerreports.org/pets/toxic-foods-for-dogs/
If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, we are available for any emergency during the day during regular office hours (Monday/Weds: 8:30am – 7:00pm, Tues/Thurs/Fri: 8:30am – 5:00 pm, Saturday: 8:30am – 3:00pm. If you feel that your pet is in an emergent situation please try to call before you come in so that we can prepare for your arrival.
In the event of an emergency, or if you have a question or concern after hours, we are available through our answering service at 845-431-9070. The service will page a doctor and we will return your call.
IF IMMEDIATE CARE IS NEEDED AFTER HOURS, WE RECOMMEND GUARDIAN VETERINARY SPECIALISTS IN BREWSTER: 914 704-3400
This hospital is open 24/7 and is staffed by a veterinarian at all times. They are located at 4 Hardscrabble Heights Brewster NY 10509. Please inform us if you do take your pet to any emergency facility so we can update our records and provide any needed follow up.
Other Area Emergency Facilities include:
VCA Flannery Animal Hospital, Newburgh NY: (845) 565-7387
Taconic Veterinary Center, Cortlandt Manor NY: (914) 677-1695
Animal Poison Control
ASPCA poison control hotline: 888-426-4435
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
