ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center gets several reports on pet poison, especially, where pet dogs are the victim, on a daily basis. Fortunately for the pet parents, the concerned authorities have put together a list of food items that could turn out to be hazardous for your dog. This article will list a number of food items that could turn out to be poisonous for your dog and along with the consequences of each.
Grapes & raisins
Raisins and Grapes can be marked as one of the top toxic foods for dogs. Consuming as few as 4 to 5 grapes or raisins might be enough to bring down a 20-pound dog with some serious symptoms. However, the toxic dose can vary with respect to the dog breed and other health factors.
The signs of grape or raisin toxicity can be identified within the first 24 hours, keep a close eye on your dog and look for symptoms like loss of energy, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced tendency to urinate etc. Grape or raisin toxicity in dogs can lead to irreversible kidney damage and can even cause death.
Alcohol
Reports on dog alcohol poisoning is not a rarity, as a matter of fact, it has been on the rise for the past couple of years. Kidneys in dogs are not capable of processing alcohol akin to kidneys of humans. Even small amounts of alcohol can induce life-threatening issues in dogs. Alcohol consumption in dogs is characterized by symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, trouble in breathing, loss of appetite and even death.
Avocados
Avocados, which contain Persin is another dog toxic food item that can induce symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, chest & heart fluid accumulation, lack of coordination, breathing troubles etc. The fluid accumulation can make it difficult for your dog to breath and on most of the occasions; chest fluid accumulation is the common diagnosis for death due to avocado poisoning.
Chocolate
Feeding your dog chocolate might be one of the most innocent ways to poison him. Chocolates and other pertinent food items like coffee or caffeine contain methylxanthines, which induces issues like excessive urination, seizures, vomiting, coma and even death. Keep in mind that the darker variant of chocolate contains more methylxanthines compared to its whiter variant and hence the former is considered to be more toxic.
Macadamia nuts
Even though macadamia nuts do not cause any life threatening issues in dogs, they still can make his day a lot worse. Consumption of a few macadamia nuts can have a serious impact on your dog’s locomotory abilities. Furthermore, keep an eye out for other symptoms like lack of energy, tremors, swellings in joints, abdominal pain, vomiting etc.
Milk and dairy products
Dogs are not known to have enough amount of lactase, which is a crucial enzyme required to break down milk lactose, in their system. Therefore, consumption of milk and other dairy products can leave your dog with an upset stomach. The complete process of milk digestion can take longer periods and in some cases can cause extreme discomfort for your dog accompanied with diarrhea.
Always keep your dog away from the above-mentioned food items. Even if your pooch accidently ingests any of these food items, try to figure out the quantity that he has ingested and take him to a professional veterinarian as soon as possible.