Food products and household items commonly handled by humans can be toxic to dogs. The symptoms can range from simple irritation to digestion issues, behavioral changes, and even death. The categories of common items ingested by dogs include food products, human medication, household detergents, indoor and outdoor toxic plants, and rat poison.
Common signs of dog poisoning and exposure The symptoms of poisoning vary depending on substance, the quantity a dog has consumed, the breed and size of the mammal. A common list of symptoms are digestion problems, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in stool; bruising and bleeding gums, nose, or inside the ear canal; behavioral changes, such as lethargy, hyperactivity, and seizures; unusual items found in the dog's stool.If left in the vicinity, poisonous items can be swallowed by curious or hungry dogs. Uninformed pet owners have also been found to unintentionally poison their dogs by treating them with human medications or feeding them foods they can't metabolize. In addition, some plants are toxic to dogs. Poisoning by contact happens most commonly with indoor plants when a dog gets the substance on their coat or muzzle. These can cause skin irritation and burns, but they can also become ingested when grooming.
Inhaled toxins, such as smoke or pesticides, can find their way into a dog's respiratory system and cause difficult breathing. If left untreated, these toxins can make their way to other organs of the body.
Substances
Human food Many human foods cause serious problems when ingested in large amounts. In 2011, the consumption of toxic foods was the number one cause of poisoning in dogs. In 2017, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received 199,000 poisoning cases, almost one-fifth of which were the result of ingesting human foods.
Avocado Avocados are known for having high amounts of persin, a chemical toxic to many animals, including dogs. Persin is found in the leaves, bark, pulp, and skin of the avocado, making it harder for dogs to ingest too much. However, high amounts of persin can cause an upset stomach in dogs, and eating large amounts of persin over a longer period of time has been known to cause heart failure in dogs. Large amounts of avocado flesh at once can cause vomiting and an upset stomach, and its high-fat content can cause pancreatitis in dogs.
Chocolate
Chocolate is dangerous for dogs because they do not metabolise theobromine and caffeine, both present in chocolate, as effectively as humans. Darker chocolate and baking chocolate contain a higher amount of theobromine, thus they are more dangerous than milk chocolate or white chocolate. Small amounts of chocolate may cause vomiting or diarrhea, but larger amounts may affect the heart and brain. Large amounts of chocolate cause the dog to suffer irregular heart rhythms or heart failure. Chocolate-style dog treats can be made with carob, which is similar to chocolate but innocuous to dogs.
Grapes/raisins/currants
These include any fruit of the Vitis species. It is unclear what substance within these fruits is toxic to dogs. There are several theories: mycotoxin, salicylate, or tartaric acid (including tartrates like potassium bitartrate), are all naturally found in grapes and decrease blood flow to the kidneys. There may be no dose information to show how much is too much. One dog may tolerate grapes or raisins better than another. Cream of tartar and tamarind both cause a very similar toxic reaction. Both contain more tartaric acid than grapes and are hence more dangerous.
Macadamia nuts Macadamia nuts have been included in the top foods to avoid feeding dogs. Like grapes or raisins, the substance of the nut responsible for negative reactions is unknown. Minuscule amounts of the nut can cause adverse reactions – "as little as 1/10th of an ounce per roughly 2 pounds of body weight." Macadamia nuts are singled out as having higher toxicity. Other nuts in general are high in fat and can cause a dog to become ill.
Xylitol The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued alerts to notify the public that xylitol, a sugar substitute, is harmful to dogs. It is used in sugar-free foods including gum, candy, and oral hygiene products. Some peanut butter will also contain xylitol. Xylitol can cause liver failure and hypoglycemia because it stimulates rapid insulin production in the canine pancreas. Potential symptoms include loss of coordination, vomiting, or seizures. Xylitol is not always clearly labeled on sugar-free foods. Ingredient listings should indicate if xylitol is in the product. Food labels with the listing for "sugar alcohol" may contain xylitol. Other names for xylitol include birch sugar, E967, Meso-Xylitol, Xilitol, Xylit, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-Pentol, and Sucre de Bouleau.
Fruit pits and seeds Apples are safe for dogs, but apple seeds are not. Apple seeds, persimmon, peach, and plum pits, as well as other fruit seeds or pits have "cyanogenic glycosides". For example, if an apple seed skin is broken as a dog eats an apple, then cyanide could be released. Apple seeds should be removed before a dog eats the apple.
Onions and garlic
The Alliaceae family, of the Allium genus, or the onion family, includes onion, garlic, shallots, scallions, chives, and leeks. These contain N-propyl disulfide, Allyl propyl disulfide, and sodium N-propylthiosulfate which can cause red blood cell damage and anemia. Thiosulphate poisoning from onions can cause orange to dark-red tinged urine, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Medication Human vitamin supplements can damage the digestive tract lining, especially those containing iron, and can lead to kidney and liver damage. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen, commonly known as Motrin or Advil, and Tylenol, can cause liver damage in dogs. Human antidepressant drugs like Celexa can cause neurological problems in dogs. ADHD medications contain stimulants, such as methylphenidate, that if ingested even in small amounts can be life-threatening to dogs. Examples are Concerta, Vyvanse, Adderall, and Dexadrine.
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