| Items to
avoid |
Reasons to
avoid |
| Anti-freeze |
This is the very
most toxic substance for dogs and pets. It is usually lethal and
difficult to diagnose. A spill on the garage floor is where is
usually occurs and dogs gravitate to the smell and they like the
taste for some reason. It has been reported that just a tiny
amount will kill. Even horses and cattle have died from a
spill in the pasture. if they graze the area, it is fatal. It is our
opinion that it should be treated as if it were poison-because it
is. |
| Alcoholic
beverages |
Can cause
intoxication, coma and death and small
amounts over a long period can cause liver problems just as it does
in humans. While it may seem humorous to watch your pet intoxicated-
it will be the "toxic" part of the word that isn't so
funny later on. |
| Batteries |
If your dog ingests
a battery, it can cause a potentially fatal ulceration in the
stomach within 12 hours. All other alkaline batteries are toxic to
dogs as well. Symptoms of toxicity include drooling, lack of
appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has
ingested a battery, contact your vet immediately. |
| Baby food |
Can contain onion
powder, which can be detrimental to dogs. Can also result
in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts. A large amount
is a tablespoon to a miniature pet. |
| Bones from fish,
poultry, or other meat sources |
Can cause
obstruction or laceration of the digestive system. It seems that
while some dogs have stomachs tough enough to digest the fender off
of your car, they may not be able to do it the next time. Allot
depends on what else was in their stomach at the time. |
| Cat food |
Too high in protein
and fats for dogs but we know they love it and it is not on the
emergency list. |
| Coffee, Tea and
Chocolate |
Contain caffeine,
theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the
heart and nervous systems. It can change their behavior more
than anything- you know- make a puppy chew your furniture faster,
and an ankle biter aim a little farther up the leg. |
| Citrus Oil
Extracts |
Can cause vomiting.
Citrus extracts — like vanilla extract, almond extract, and
chocolate extract — are highly alcoholic. Generally, 80 percent or
more is alcohol, diluting the citrus oil. |
| Fat
trimmings |
Can cause
inflammation of the dogs pancreas and can allow, of course, cause
weight gain. You know that guilt you feel when you look into your
vets eyes as they add another 5 pounds to your pug's
chart. |
| Grapes and
raisins |
Contains an unknown
toxin, which can damage the kidneys and cause a very painful death.
Many dog trainers use grapes as rewards but should not. A handful of
grapes can kill a dog-once again depending on the dogs size.
|
| House
Plants |
Many common and
popular household plants are highly toxic to dogs. A partial list of
toxic plants includes poinsettias, lilies, ferns, devil's ivy, aloe,
and ivy. Symptoms of poisoning due to ingestion of toxic plants
include vomiting and central nervous system excitement. Many of
these plants are fatal if ingested. |
| Hops |
You know - what beer
is made from causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated
temperature, seizures, and death. If the hops don't get them, the
alcohol will. |
| Human vitamin
supplements |
Can damage the
lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs
including the liver and kidneys. Too much of anything is not good
for us or our pets. Even dog aspirin is made with a heavy sort of
time released shell so that is doesn't dissolve too
fast. Tylenol will send a dog into kidney failure, so if you
happen to drop a tablet when you are taking them, remember to pick
them up right away. |
| Large amounts of
liver |
Liver cubes are
often given as rewards by trainers but can cause Vitamin A
toxicity, which affects muscles and bones. Moderation
again! |
| Macadamia
nuts |
Very toxic, which
can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle. If dipped
in chocolate can be worse. It has much to do with the immune system
of your pet and will affect some dogs and not others. Pay attention
over the holidays not to leave them on the coffee
table. |
| Marijuana and
Tobacco products |
Can depress the
nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate. Just
as it can in people. It can also disorient enough that the pet can
become aggressive. Enough tobacco can cause coma and
death. |
| Milk and other dairy
products |
Some adult dogs and
cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which
breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea.
Lactose-free milk products are available for pets. Not a serious
problem for the pet but is for the owner at clean up time. It would
jog anyone's memory |
| Moldy foods in
garbage |
Can contain multiple
toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other
issues depending on what is found in the garbage. Dogs are not billy
goats but they think they are! |
| Mushrooms |
Some strains of
mushrooms are deadly to pets, which may affect multiple systems in
the body, cause shock, and result in death. It is important to
monitor what the dog it nibbling on when on walks. Most will stay
away from toxic plants but some will imbibe if very hungry and they
recognize the scent from what you eat. |
| Onions and garlic
(raw, cooked, or powder) |
Contain sulfoxide's
and disulfide's, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs.
We feel garlic has been given a bad rap. We have used raw chopped
garlic for years here on the farm to rid the animals parasites. We
use it in the summertime to keep the flys off of our horses and the
fleas off of our dogs and cats. They have all lived to a ripe
old age. Once again, they are given every thing in
moderation. |
| Persimmons |
Seeds can cause
intestinal obstruction and enteritis. |
| Pits from peaches
and plums |
With most fruits,
the pits and the seeds are toxic to dogs. Signs of poisoning include
drooling, vomiting, and lethargy. It can cause obstruction of the
digestive tract just as pieces of bone and rawhides
can. |
| Potato, rhubarb, and
tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems |
Contain oxalates,
which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This
is more of a problem in horses and cattle, not so much in
pets. |
| Raw eggs |
Contain an enzyme
called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B
vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may
also contain Salmonella. |
| Raw fish |
Can result in a
thiamine ,a B vitamin deficiency leading to loss of appetite,
seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed
everyday. Added to that is the "bone" problem in raw
fish. |
| Salt |
If eaten in large
quantities it may lead to electrolyte
imbalances. This is a problem that the dog can work out on
their own with lots of fresh cool water all year round. We believe
it is an absolute to provide that for any pet. It is the biggest
nature remedy for most of the toxins. |
| String and plastic
wrap |
This is a major
problem for "garbage eaters". The string of plastic wrap can become
trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body." It
can bind the intestines, cause painful constipation and may have to
be removed surgically. |
| Sugary
foods |
Can lead to chubby
pet syndrome, bad teeth, and other health problems. Please don't
tell him you got this from me. |
| Turkey
skin |
Dogs have trouble
digesting it and can cause constipation and pain. |
| Rawhide |
Rawhide is one of
the biggest selling pet chews on the market and has saved furniture
destruction for years. We can't stress how important it is for the
dog owner to regulate the size of the rawhide with the size of the
dog. Also monitor chewing and never ever give rawhide to a dog when
he or she is hungry. They will swallow chunks that sit in the
stomachs, absorb fluids, swell up and the dog will have a blockage
and colic. See for yourself. Place a little rawhide bone in a
cup of warm water over night and watch it grow. There are many other
natural treats such as bully sticks that don't have that
property. |
| Yeast
dough |
This can cause
enough gas to expand the stomach and digestive system causing
pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines. With their
body heat, it rises just as it does in a bowl. |
| Xylitol (artificial
sweetener) |
Can cause liver
failure. This is an additive that a lot of people believe never
should have been allowed on the market-both for their pets and for
them. |
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