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Dangerous and toxic foods that can harm your dogs.

1/23/2013

22 Comments

 
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Toxicity in dogs due to human food is a very real, often lethal event. I am hearing more and more stories arising about dogs getting in to garbage, snatching leftovers off the table, gobbling up food dropped on the floor and being fed items that pet owners do not realize are toxic to dogs.

It is very important to be aware of the food that can cause serious issues in dogs so that we can be certain they never get the chance to eat any of it. Even small amounts have been found to result in death in pets, so avoiding them all together is how we can keep our pets safe.

Onion and Garlic:
These two foods can cause vomiting, lethargy, weakness, pale gums, and damage to red blood cells (anemia), which leads to organ failure due to the lack of oxygen getting to organs.

Chocolate/Caffeine:
The darker the chocolate, the worse the damage will be. Chocolate toxicity will cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, increased heart rate and eventually death.

Grapes/Raisins:
Toxicity from eating grapes and raisins leads to kidney failure. Vomiting and diarrhea are the first symptoms, followed by weakness, refusal to eat, increased drinking, and abdominal pain.

Xylitol:
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in gum and many kinds to candy. Xylitol has been found to cause liver failure and seizures. The consumption of Xylitol causes hypoglycemia.

Raw Yeast/Bread Dough:
The danger with raw yeast and bread dough is the fact that it expands in the stomach and can result in bloat, which can eventually lead to the very fatal stomach torsion.

Macadamia Nuts:
Macadamia nut toxicity in dogs results in weakness in the hind end, wobbling, depression, tremors, hypothermia and increased heart rate. Macadamia nut toxicity can also result in kidney failure.

Alcohol:
Typically symptoms of alcohol toxicity include vomiting, coma , lack of coordination, slow breathing rate, drowsiness, problems walking and moving, excessive urination and/or general unresponsiveness. Alcohol toxicity often leads to death. Some toothpaste and dental products for pets contain some alcohol, this should be avoided as they can cause damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys over a period of time.

Avocado:
There has been a lot of back and forth about whether or not avocados are indeed toxic for pets to consume, but the poison control center for pets has determined avocado to be on the "toxic foods for pets" list, and with their reputation it is fair to say they are a trustworthy source. The issue with avocado is a product called Persin (found in every aspect of the fruit), which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

The ASPCA says they won't make a definitive statement about processed foods because they don't know how they are processing the avocados, but that raw avocados contain the toxin persin.

It's better safe then sorry, so avoid these foods and keep your pets eating only what is safe and nutritious for them. Be careful when handling these toxic foods to keep them from getting to your pet's reach.

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

22 Comments
Rich
1/25/2013 06:01:02 am

Garlic? That's interesting? My dad used to give his dogs in Germany a garlic bulb wrapped in butter when a dog had worms.

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Barb Parker link
1/27/2013 05:43:33 am

If you give a dog garlic you can get rid of ticks, also heard what Rich said.

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Colt
1/14/2015 10:44:39 am

I've always given my dogs garlic,as well as many of my friends who feed a raw food diet. Not only do they appreciate the added flavor but it had the same health benefits for them as it does us. This data must be outdated as a few of the "toxic " foods listed here have now been found to be beneficial.

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Gisela
7/1/2019 03:20:24 am

I think with garlic they have to eat a lot of it. I usually put a little garlic into some baked liver treats that I make for my dogs (originally a Dr Harry recipe a long time ago).
With regard to grapes. They used to be fine - I is the chemicals they spray onto the grapes these days that causes them to be toxic (makes you wonder if they are all that safe for us).

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Col. Kenneth D. Frazier
1/27/2013 06:02:37 am

Not so sure about the GARLIC ? They even make a pill that is Brewer's Yeast and Garlic to give to dogs .... why would they do that IF Garlic is bad for them ??
I know that as long as I gave my dog those pills ; he never had fleas or ticks ...

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K9 Instinct link
1/27/2013 06:35:55 am

I spent a few years working in a veterinarian hospital, and I personally saw three cases of garlic toxicity - they aren't too sure why exactly but some dogs react very badly to raw garlic. Garlic is a touch and go subject, but I always say better safe than sorry!

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Cheryl Chapman
2/7/2015 05:20:28 am

I heard that Garlic can damage their kidneys. Our 4 huskies have never had and never will. They eat loads of vegetables and fruits that they are allowed

petlover
1/27/2013 04:23:19 pm

As far as the garlic goes, i've heard mixed things too... i've heard mixing a teaspoon in with their food once a week.. or something like that, is good to drive ticks, fleas and other pests away, but i've never tested the theory myself, but it sounds like it'd work, but i would not suggest doing it unless you talked to a vet...

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K9 Instinct
1/28/2013 02:47:08 am

I agree, I think it's best to talk to your veterinarian and do a lot of research before feeding your dog a food known to be potentially toxic. Thanks for your comment!

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Mad4myWesties
4/7/2013 01:40:17 am

I have two westies. One can tolerate a bit of garlic or onion. The other cannot. Why take chances? They have gotten it on occasion. The girl has exhibited definite signs when she's eaten it. No more pizza crust unless I made it myself and know it's garlic free. Lots of people say they feed their dogs M&M's too, but it can kill. It's like roullette. Don't do it!

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Paula TenBrink link
5/2/2013 03:13:26 am

Here is what I have researched about Garlic and what I have listed on my website... Garlic- You may have heard that garlic is bad for dogs. Well, garlic has been used for many years by holistic veterinarians. The confusion about whether garlic is good or bad seems to have arisen from confusion with its close cousin, the onion. Both garlic and onion contain thiosulphate, the substance responsible for causing ‘Heinx Factor’ anemia in dogs. However the amount of thiosulphate found in garlic is much lower than in onions, in fact the amount in garlic is barely traceable! The fear of garlic is a new one - propagated by rumor on the internet and not proven by any facts or study. When garlic is ingested in reasonable amounts there are no harmful affects, but there are plenty of beneficial qualities...

Garlic contains germanium - an anti-cancer agent; Garlic helps to regulate blood pressure; Helps strengthen the body's defences against allergies; Helps regulate blood sugar levels; Garlic is high in vitamins, minerals and nutrients: Calcium, Potassium, Zinc; Protein; Vitamin A, B, B2, C; Garlic is an aid to fighting and treating: Diabetes; Liver, heart and kidney disease; Garlicisa natural flea repellent and de-wormer. Please do not add garlic in a mixed form to your dogs diet (i.e. garlic steak spice - this is not pure garlic and can make your dog very ill). When I refer to garlic I am talking about garlic in its pure form - garlic cloves. A safe dosage for garlic is 1 clove/30lbsof body weight per day. You can also use dried, ground garlic.

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nikki link
10/13/2013 05:21:08 am

My GSD loved garlic and she was 14 when she died, not a flea tick or worm in sight! She preferred hers cooked though

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Ken Erfourth
7/26/2013 07:28:57 am

I gave my first dog garlic when I thought she would be exposed to ticks and fleas. Noticed a significant reduction in ticks biting and staying on. Garlic changes the way we smell and taste, apparently. Given the threat posed by ticks and the drawbacks of other methods of control, I still think garlic is worth using, if you are careful about it.

Never any health problems in 40 lb dog that got crushed stored garlic (the kind in a jar, with olive oil). She would not eat raw cloves--actually spit them out once when we tried. But she would like the jar garlic off my fingers.

I might also be concerned with different kinds of garlic. There is hard neck and soft neck garlic, which is very different and may contain different levels of thiosulphate. Hard neck garlic is usually larger, has more colorful cloves and a greater variety of flavors. Definitely check it out if you are human!

Also, be aware that "Elephant Garlic" isn't actually garlic, but a type of Leek. Which may be more of an onion, and therefore more hazardous (onion toxicity hasn't been disputed by anyone I'm aware of).

I think store garlic is likely to be the lowest risk and most consistent. It is usually soft neck garlic, and the stuff in the jar is probably the same. The more exotic you go with your garlic, the more likely you might be to see thiosulphate variations.

If you feel brave enough to try giving your dog some garlic, I would recommend the jar kind, and give no more than a teaspoon per 40 lbs of dog weight. I wouldn't do it everyday, and I'd monitor the dog for any changes in energy that might be a symptom of anemia.

And I wouldn't force a dog that didn't want to consume any garlic to do so.

Final note: reading about this elsewhere, some of the reports of garlic problems were very small dogs given what seemed to be a lot garlic. I wouldn't go over the 1 tsp per 40lbs amount myself. That seemed pretty effective with my dog and I never noticed adverse effects.

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carla lutz
7/31/2013 05:42:21 am

I have had dogs for 35 yrs and all of my dogs have been fed garlic,onions,grapes,bananas,apples & avocados-I have never had any of them get sick from these foods.They dont get them in large amounts but they do like them.

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Max
9/8/2013 04:19:25 am

Well, Carla, I've had two GSDs who got very sick after we moved to a place that had grape vines. They loved eating the grapes; in fact, I couldn't keep them from the vines. Their kidneys gave out before I even realized that grapes were a problem. And I have a friend who feeds her dogs lots of garlic, and they did not live happily ever after. They both developed tumors on their pancreas. I guess it's the luck of the draw, but I see no reason to feed my dogs anything that's on the toxic list. Nor would I encourage others to do it.

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Heather link
2/28/2018 01:50:51 pm

Carla Lutz, Your comment made my heart jump. It really scares me to think that some dog owners may read that you've had dogs for 35yrs & think that therefore you must be an expert or at least know what u're talking about. I'm usually not one to criticize or even speak up, but when it comes to possibly saving an animals life; that's when I have to jump in. I understand that for whatever reason you thought it was necessary or just no problem to feed ur dogs onions and grapes, but PLEASE next time try to remember all the other people young &old, etc. that could misunderstand what you are saying. Also, it's very natural to only want to see (or subconsciously only allow ourselves to see) the positive in way we care for our pets. Ever wonder if the results of your own personal experience may be slightly partial to the fact that love is blind? Nobody wants to recognize that something they allowed their dog to eat could be the reason why "Rover" doesn't seem interested in going for a walk today or why he's acting a bit "off" today. Is there not the possibility that your dogs did get ill, but as a loving owner you did what most would & either over looked their symptoms or just brushed them off as the result of something else? Also, dogs are experts at pretending they aren't sick, it's engraved in their DNA to not show illness or weakness. In the animal kingdom instincts tell us weakness = sick or injured, and being weak means easy prey. So a dogs instincts tell them they are vunerable & so in turn they try the best they can to act "normal" ¬ let anyone see how sick they feel...its a survival mechanism! I also am willing to bet many dog owners sort of ignore that their dog isnt feeling well because they just don't have the time to worry especially when it usually goes away on its own in a day or because it's the result of something silly like eating too fast or exercising too soon after eating. So did you only see what you wanted to see, nothing more? Maybe, maybe not. The possibility that your comment could lead others into believing that they too can feed their dogs whatever they please & it must be safe was MUCH TO GREAT TO IGNORE! There are PLENTY of other fruits and veggies that are packed full of many more nutrients that ARE WITHOUT QUESTION SAFE TO FEED TO DOGS. The fact that you fed or still feed onions& grapes to your dogs tells me that in the end you're not doing what's best for your dogs! Just because something doesn't kill you or hurt you one time, DOES NOT MEAN IT NEVER WILL! Either your just trying to prove some unnecessary point (at the risk of ur dogs health/well being), or u're just very careless when it comes to your dogs health & what you feed ur dogs. Giving your dogs the fruits & veggies that EXPERTS say are VERY BAD for a dogs health AND CAN BE POTENTIALLY POISONESS or FATAL to dogs, CERTAINLY IS NOT ANYTHING to boast about! You are walking a fine and RARE line so maybe ya you can consider yourself lucky! Im going to guess you're a very loving, well meaning, and devoted owner since you've had dogs for so many years. That alone is very respectable, an accomplishment to be very proud of! It's really not easy to devote a never ending love and a huge part of our lives to being a pet parent! I wish for ALL Pups to have happy lives! ADOPT A DOG TODAY! ADOPT ANOTHER BLESSING TO ADD TO YOUR HAPPINESS! WHO COULDN'T USE MORE HAPPINESS AND LAUGHS??! PLEASE SPREAD YOUR HAPPY PET STORIES AND ENCOURAGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN TO ADOPT A PET!! THEY NEED US TO HELP BE THEIR VOICES FOR THEM. EVERYONE DESERVES LOVE AND A PLACE TO CALL THEIR HOME. IF YOURE THINKING YOUR NOT SURE IF YOU CAN HANDLE ANOTHER, I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER HOW DO OTHER PEOPLE DO IT??! BESIDES, IF YOU'RE ALREADY CARING FOR ONE, WHAT'S ONE MORE??-- WELL IT'S YOU MAKING A LONELY, SAD, CONFUSED, AND LOVE STARVED LITTLE ANGEL'S DREAMS COME TRUE!! More love never hurt no one.

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Tom
11/1/2013 12:22:49 pm

I've heard the arguments for garlic and given it to dogs I had years ago and over many years, as an insect repellant for from fleas and ticks to tapeworms. I use cedar oil now to kill ticks and fleas, have you heard anything bad about cedar oil?

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Jane
10/8/2014 06:16:11 am

I have been using cedarwood oil on my German Shepherds since they were puppies. It is the safest method of controlling pests of any kind, including bed bugs. Why risk using anything that's controversial if there's something safe available? Besides, my dogs love it...when I get the spray bottle out, they lie down and turn over so I can rub it all over them.

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Luce
3/7/2015 07:10:18 pm

What brand of cedar oil? How much in the bottle and are you diluting it before spraying your dogs? How often do you spray them?

Wanda
11/29/2014 09:55:25 pm

I foster bullies and have 3 of my own. I put a half garlic bulb in there 3 gallon water bowl every time I refill it. Been doing this for years and the dogs and cat are fine and no fleas or ticks

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Heather
4/22/2015 02:58:58 pm

Funny... My dad's Kelpie cross ate everything that was on the table... And lived to the ripe old age of 17...

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Diane Jaramillo
4/24/2015 11:05:04 am

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