Are you aware there are foods we enjoy that our dogs can’t have?
From chocolate to onions, these common foods can be fatal for our furry friends.
This article will show you twelve foods that can kill dogs, so you can keep your pup safe and healthy.
Watch the video to learn which foods to avoid feeding your dog, and share with your friends to spread the word.
Table of Contents
Why are Some Foods Harmful to Dogs?
Dogs and humans have very different digestive systems. While it is beneficial to eat certain foods like onions, garlic, or chocolate that are toxic to dogs, they won’t hurt you because your body can process them.
Dogs, on the other hand, cannot process these foods as efficiently, so they can cause harm. Pets that eat foods that are harmful to them can develop problems with their digestive tract, and worse, they can die.
The good news is that a dog’s sense of smell is so susceptible that most of these foods will not appeal to them. For onions and garlic, the smell is so pungent that it causes them to vomit almost immediately.
This ability is beneficial because these foods can be fatal for dogs.
What are the Foods That Can be Fatal to Dogs?
1. Chocolate
Chocolate is a stimulant and often serves as a remedy for depression in humans, implying that chocolate is a drug for humans.
It contains theobromine and caffeine, drugs that affect your dog’s central nervous system and heart. These two chemicals can cause seizures, heart arrhythmia, and even death.
Theobromine is especially toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for your dog. White chocolate is the least harmful, and baking chocolate can be deadly.
This food can be fatal to dogs within a few hours of ingestion. Call your vet immediately if you think your dog has eaten chocolate.
2. Onions
Onions contain a toxic ingredient called thiosulphate, which can affect your dog’s red blood cells and cause them to rupture. This compound can lead to severe anemia for your dog, a life-threatening condition.
The red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, and without these cells, your dog’s organs can’t get the oxygen they need to function.
Some effects of onion toxicity typically begin within a few hours of ingestion, but in some cases, it takes several days for symptoms to appear.
Even a small amount of onions can cause problems for dogs, and even larger quantities could be fatal. Symptoms include lethargy, rapid breathing, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you suspect your dog has eaten onions, see your vet immediately.
3. Garlic
The onion’s close cousin is also toxic to dogs, and while it’s less dangerous than onions, garlic can still cause severe damage to your dog’s body and breath.
Like onions, garlic contains a toxin that can damage red blood cells. It prevents oxygen from reaching the dog’s internal organs and brain.
The severity depends on how much garlic your dog ate and how quickly you get it to the vet. Ingesting garlic will cause the same symptoms as onions, including vomiting and lethargy.
It might be a good time to bring your dog to the vet if it ingests garlic or at least hoses him off thoroughly.
4. Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs because they contain a toxin called “solanine.” This substance is produced by plants to prevent them from getting eaten.
The toxin is present in the plant’s leaves, stems, and seeds but not in the fruit itself. When dogs ingest grapes or raisins, their livers fail, and they fall sick.
The toxin can cause a dog to suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and possibly kidney failure. In fact, it’s so severe that it could even be fatal for your dog.
It causes the same symptoms as onions and garlic, including lethargy, so it’s a good idea to bring your dog to the vet if it eats grapes or raisins.
5. Avocado
The avocado fruit contains a toxin called persin that can cause serious health problems for dogs. The avocado is a tree native to Mexico and Central America.
It’s not usually a problem for dogs to eat the fruit, but dogs can become ill if they consume too many avocados.
The biggest problem with eating avocados is that it causes vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing complications, which can ultimately lead to death.
Some of the fats in the avocado can cause a dog’s red blood cells to clump together, making it difficult for the dog to breathe.
If your dog eats avocados, get it to the vet immediately.
6. Xylitol
Sugar-free products containing xylitol can be deadly to dogs, especially puppies. Xylitol is a sugar substitute often found in chewing gum, candy, baked goods, toothpaste, and other low-calorie products.
Although it tastes sweet to us, xylitol is toxic to dogs. It’s more poisonous to dogs than chocolate or onions. A small amount of xylitol can cause a plummet in blood sugar levels, leading to liver failure and death.
If you have xylitol products in your home, keep them out of your dog’s reach.
7. Alcohol and Raw/Yeast Dough
If you’re a beer or bread-baking enthusiast, keep the dough away from your dog. Alcoholic beverages and yeast dough can be toxic to dogs.
Yeast dough can expand in the stomach, producing gas, which causes the stomach to twist. These drinks are a diuretic and can cause dehydration or liver failure.
The metabolism of alcohol causes a build-up of acetaldehyde, which is toxic to the liver. It’s crucial to keep an eye on your dog if you’ve been consuming alcoholic beverages or eating yeast dough.
8. Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeine Drinks
These drinks stimulate the nervous system and heart, which can harm dogs.
Caffeine is a diuretic and can cause dehydration. Due to the stimulating effect of caffeine, your dog may appear hyperactive after consuming it. It stimulates the nervous system and makes your dog more alert.
The caffeine also causes your dog’s heart to beat faster.
Drinking too much caffeine can harm dogs and lead to vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, and even death.
9. Cooked Bones
Another common pet owner mistake is giving their dog cooked bones. Cooked bones are brittle and splinter easily. Once the bone has been chewed, sharp pieces of bone can be swallowed or lodged in the digestive tract.
The sharp pieces can puncture the stomach or intestinal lining, causing an obstruction. If left untreated, the perforation may lead to life-threatening infection and death.
This problem is why veterinarians usually tell their clients not to feed their dogs with cooked bones.
10. Bacon
Bacon is another food that can be harmful to your dog. Bacon contains a lot of fat, which can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a painful inflammation of the pancreas, a common problem in dogs and cats.
It can be life-threatening if left untreated. When a dog overeats bacon, the pancreas may not be able to produce enough digestive enzymes, causing the food to leak out of the stomach and into the intestines.
If not treated, the dog may die.
11. Peaches and Plums
Peaches and plums are toxic fruits to your dog. When you give your dog peaches and plums, it can cause intestinal obstruction.
This problem occurs when the intestines become blocked, and food cannot pass through. While your dog eats the peaches or plums, the seeds inside these fruits become lodged in the intestines.
The seeds swell and cause inflammation leading to obstruction, and this state can be fatal if not treated quickly. You should see a vet immediately.
12. Salty Snacks
The most common salty snacks to be aware of are salt and vinegar chips, pretzels, and popcorn. Just one small handful of any of these is enough to kill a small dog.
If you have children in the home that love salty snacks, keep them out of the dog’s reach.
It causes dehydration, heart problems, and blood pressure issues. Salty snacks can also cause your dog’s body to store water, resulting in bloating and even death.
Conclusion
It is crucial to know the foods that can kill your dog.
Keep these foods out of reach, and never feed them to your dog.
If you think your dog has consumed something poisonous, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA (Animal Poison Control Center) immediately.
