20 Foods Poisonous To Dogs

The impact chocolate has on canines is the same as kryptonite does on Superman-it seriously messes with the well-being of the dog and puts their health in jeopardy. While fatality is rare, chocolate poisoning can cause extreme sickness and discomfort, even while only consuming a small amount.

The degree of poisoning is also dependent on the type of chocolate; the danger increases with darker varieties with more bitterness. Although white chocolate contains the least amount of theobromine, it can still be dangerous to dogs.

Fresh grapes, as well as raisins, both forms of grapes are toxic to dogs. Even in small quantities, an adverse reaction can be provoked by them, although the reason for this remains unclear.

If the allergy becomes severe, kidney failure can occur rapidly and is potentially life-threatening. Signs of grape or raisin poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and dullness; these initial signs can progress to more complicated issues like abdominal pain and dehydration.

Onions, whether cooked or raw, are toxic to your canine companion. Therefore, whenever you prepare any meal for sharing with your dog, eliminate onions from the dish.

Fresh onions aren’t the only threat to dogs- canines can get poisoned by onion powder and onion flakes. Onion poisoning in dogs can take several days to show up; meanwhile, you can judge the dog’s deteriorating health through symptoms like weakness, loss of appetite, and elevated heart rate.

Due to its high thiosulfate content, garlic is a big no when it comes to feeding your dog. And, before you conclude, no, dogs are not vampires.

Besides direct consumption, dogs can also get poisoned from food containing traces of garlic. Consumption of garlic, as little as 15 grams per kg of body weight, is enough to get an adult dog seriously ill.

A sugar substitute, xylitol typically comes in sugar-free gum, baked goods, and some dental products. While harmless to humans, this sugar substitute is highly toxic to dogs.

Accidental eating of xylitol can drop blood sugar levels dangerously, often to the point of vomiting and seizure. Although a distant possibility, liver failure is also known to be caused by xylitol.

Alcohol is a health hazard for dogs; even a tiny sip can have a severe effect on their nervous system. While humans also tend to get alcohol poisoning, dogs' tolerance for the spirit is a lot less than ours.

Alcohol, due to its ability to spoil brain function, can affect vital organs necessary for survival. Always lock up alcoholic beverages, away from the dog’s reach; also, learn to identify the signs of alcohol poisoning in dogs to be ready for any future accidents.

Known as a healthy human food, avocado contains persin, a toxic compound to canines. While most of the persin is deposited in non-edible parts like leaves and seeds, the tiny amount found in the fruit is sufficient to trigger a serious reaction.

Besides the persin, avocado is also rich in fat. Occasional fat consumption is harmless, unless the dog is obese or suffering from a major health condition.

Drinks - including coffee, tea, and energy drinks - are highly unsafe for dogs due to their high caffeine content. A dog’s digestive system may not process caffeine in the same way humans do, with the spur also disrupting the central nervous system and cardiovascular system.

Though accidental drinking of coffee in small amounts is not fatal, it can still cause complications like restlessness and hyperactivity. Meanwhile, in severe cases of intoxication, muscle tremors and seizures in dogs may occur.

Unprocessed dough, especially that contains yeast, is highly dangerous for dogs. The yeast, present in the underdone dough, continues to expand inside the dog’s stomach, blocking the flow of stomach juices.

With the rising of dough comes a series of complications, such as painful bloating and abdominal pain. By the time symptoms show, the poisoning has set in, and one can only consult a vet and hope for the best.

High consumption of salt raises the sodium levels in the blood of a dog to dangerous levels. The condition, called canine salt poisoning, disrupts electrolyte balance.

Following a large consumption of salt, the dog’s system immediately triggers a sensation of thirst along with an urge to pee. Your pet may try to drink water rapidly after eating salt; however, this response doesn’t solve the issue. Instead, it can lead to water poisoning, a condition caused by excessive water content in the dog’s body.

Fat is a necessary ingredient of the dog's diet; at least 5% of what the dog ingests has to be fat-based. Fat stores energy, allowing the dog to be physically active.

However, if the consumption exceeds the recommended amount, problems will begin to arise. Excessive use of greasy or fatty foods often leads to an infection of the pancreas, an organ responsible for digesting food and regulating blood sugar.

When bones are cooked, they become crisp and may break down into sharp pieces. These fragments can splinter into dangerous shards with a serious risk to a dog's digestive system.

Additionally, swallowing cooked bone pieces can cause blockages in the intestines. To avoid this dangerous predicament, give them chew toys or treats, instead of letting them munch of the hard bones.

When a dog consumes green tomatoes or other parts of the tomato plant, signs of solanine poisoning may include gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting, dysentery, and indigestion. Other signs of toxicity can include laziness, weakness, and confusion.

In severe cases, solanine poisoning can lead to more serious neurological symptoms such as shaking and difficulty breathing. The risk is particularly high if a dog consumes large quantities of green tomatoes or repeatedly swallows the green parts of the plant. Immediate veterinary attention is important if a dog shows signs of tomato poisoning.

Preventing access to tomato plants and keeping green tomatoes out of reach is essential to avoid potential poisoning.

Certain wild mushrooms are highly dangerous to dogs and can cause severe health issues, including liver failure. Unlike cultivated mushrooms, which are in general safe, wild mushrooms can contain a range of harmful poisons. 

These toxins can vary totally between species, making it difficult to identify which ones are dangerous. If a dog is guessed to have eaten a wild mushroom, immediate veterinary care is needed. Preventing access to wild mushrooms and overseeing outdoor activities can help reduce the risk of mushroom poisoning.

Rhubarb has oxalates or sharp needle-like crystals in their leaves and stems. Even for humans, rhubarb can only be safely digested after proper cooking.

Meanwhile, in dogs, rhubarb can trigger adverse reactions, despite hours of cooking. Kidneys are most vulnerable to the impact of the rhubarb plant; the dog may try to drink and urinate excessively to flush out oxalates.

While not as immediately dangerous as many other foods, coconut does provide a few health concerns in canines, especially due to the very high oil content and some of the compounds inside it.

Although you don’t need to completely cut off coconut from your dog’s diet, it’s important to limit the quantity. However, if your dog shows symptoms of coconut allergies, discontinue immediately.

Peach and plum pits carry severe risks when ingested by dogs; chief among them is gastrointestinal obstruction. Hard and bulky, the pit might obstruct the digestive tract of your dog at some point.

Blockages are to be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible lest further complications set in. In worst scenarios, swallowing seeds can be fatal due to cyanide poisoning.

While macadamia nuts are edible for humans - often found in dessert recipes, it is extremely harmful to dogs. And, what’s most interesting about this nut is that dogs are the only species to get poisoned by it.

Additionally, the method of diagnosing macadamia nut poisoning is not in existence yet; vets will have to rely on your knowledge of when and how much nuts your dog ate.

Milk in nature is not toxic to dogs; it is only toxic to the ones with lactose intolerance. If lactose-intolerant dogs take milk or any of its products, abdominal pains and vomiting can be very intense.

Similarly, with other dogs, while milk itself is not dangerous, too much consumption can worsen digestive issues. In case a dog develops digestive disturbance once milk is ingested, it is always best to avoid the intake of dairy products for such dogs in future as well.

Star fruits should not be used as a reward for dogs since they have high contents of calcium oxalate crystals. As the oxalate salt comes in contact with calcium, it can drop the calcium level along with a significant decrease in the calcification of the kidneys.

Though the star fruit is also poisonous to humans in large amounts, only a tiny amount is required for dogs to get poisoned. Don’t take any risks with your dog’s health; avoid feeding star fruit to safeguard your pet.