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What foods can poison my dog or puppy


What could poison my dog? - recently, each week seems to add more common human foods onto a - dog poison list - it really is quite worrying. Hopefully this page will help to share and expand on that knowledge. If you have information or a link which you'd like to add here, please do get in touch.

What to do if you suspect your dog may have eaten something poisonous? Obviously, phone your vet and get there as soon as you possibly can.

Here's a list of common foods which are poisonous to dogs and puppies. Although we may be aware of these and not actually give them to our dogs - please also keep your pockets and handbags safely away from prying noses.....

Please note - whilst we have made comment here, and linked to sites of interest on these topics, there may or may not be any scientific evidence regarding the poisoning topics. It seems that whilst many dogs have been given these foods - and appear ok - that the effects can either be a result of one large dose or many small amounts - the effect of which builds up over time - we think it's best to be safe......

Chocolate - all forms - including things like cocoa powder and garden cocoa mulch
A story from the Guardian further explaining why and how much chocolate is poisonous for dogs - it's about Theobromine - and can cause problems from vomiting and diarrhoea to death!- www.guardian.co.uk, Can Chocolate Really Kill Dogs?.
Raisins, Grapes, Sultanas
Whilst these have been used as treats and dogs love them, they appear to be able to cause renal (kidney) failure - so again - safest to avoid.
Onions - especially including concentrated onions in the form of stock cubes, gravy enhancers etc.
So - NEVER give your dog a stock cube or human gravy thickeners etc.

Pets affected by eating onions will develop haemolytic anaemia - starting with vomiting and diarrhoea. Here's the lovely Dr Sophia Yin's blog on the topic of Why Onions Kill Dogs.

xylitol (sweetner used in sugar free chewing gum etc.)
This causes a sudden drop in the blood sugar levels. Read more at www.avma.org
Further interesting web sites we've found ....
There are many general household hazards: NSAIDS like ibuprofen, rat and mice poisons, chocolate, paracetamol, permethrin, metaldehyde, lillies, grapes, raisins, sultanas, batteries, the adder, fungi, blue-green algae and xylitol. Follow their seasonal newsletters here - in focus right now is Vitamin D.