Dec 21 2011
Foods Your Dog Should NEVER Eat!
Do not feed me sugarless candy!
My husband and I have a hand booklet that we often refer to regarding common food, plants and household items that can harm or even kill our pups. We have three pups: A pug, a French bulldog & a shih tzu. Needless to say, our house is always a bit chaotic! The list of poisonous foods and items applies to all dogs. Since most dog lovers often have more than one pooch around, the list of no no’s is important to keep in mind for all our furry friends!
Foods to NEVER feed a Dog:
- Chocolate – the darker the chocolate the more dangerous! Bakers chocolate is the worst because it contains the highest amount of theobromine (also known as xantheose) and that ingredient is deadly to dogs.
- Coffee beans – not only coffee beans but anything with caffeine
- Alcohol – enough said!
- Grapes – experts say only in large quantities, but why risk it! Dogs do not need grapes. One time a grape rolled off the counter, and fell onto the floor. My French bulldog, Bardot, who will eat ANYTHING, would not eat the grape. Maybe she knew it was bad for her? Maybe not, but I thought it was cute.
- Raisins – who eats raisins anyway?
- Onions – onions can cause hemolytic anemia in our furry friends which is a potentially deadly autoimmune disorder. Symptoms of AIHA include fatigue, fever, depression, weakness and even seizures.
- Broccoli – in small amounts broccoli can be okay, but in large amounts it can cause gastrointestinal irritation.
- Garlic – can cause the same problems as onions.
- Castor beans – Luckily, I don’t think I have ever had a castor bean!
- Fruit pits and seeds - plum pits, peach pits, apple seeds and apricot seeds. Stone fruit pits in general do not seem to be safe.
- Sugarless candies – anything containing Xylitol . Xylitol can be found in candy and chewing gum. Only three grams of Xylitol can kill a 65 lb dog!
- Nutmeg
Harmful Plants – indoor and outdoor:
- Aloe Vera
- Asparagus fern
- Azalea
- Cactus
- Daffodil
- Deadly nightshade
- Dumbcane
- Elephant’s ear
- Ficus
- Foxglove
- Holly
- Honeysuckle
- Horse chestnut
- Ivy
- Japanese Yew
- Jasmine
- Lilies
- Lilly of the valley
- Marijuana
- Mistletoe
- Morning glory
- Mums
- Oak
- Oleander
- Philodendron
- Poinsettias
- Poppies
- Rhododendron
- Rhubarb
- Skunk cabbage
- Tobacco
- Tulip bulbs
- Virginia creeper
- Wild mushrooms
Common household items that can be deadly:
- Antifreeze – even very small amounts can be deadly!
- Any household cleansers or cleaners
- Bleach
- Toilet bowl cleaners
- Drain openers
- Soap
- Insecticides
- Mothballs
- Polishes
- Rodent Poisons
- Sunscreen
- Ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, acetominophen, human antidepressants, multivitamins (especially with iron), supplements and antibiotics
- Gasoline
- Motor Oil
- Transmission Fluid
This list is not definitive so be sure to keep your local poision control center’s telephone number handy at all times for emergencies!
