Pets, Fish, Animals - Facts and Tips

Safe and Dangerous Foods for Dogs and Hazards to Avoid

Dog owners want to feed their dogs the best food so that they stay healthy. Many are tempted to offer snacks and treats from human foods. Dogs may also inadvertently pick up left-overs and food scraps dropped from food preparation areas or dining rooms. Dogs may scavenge around the house or yard, or even pick up things when walking. It is important for dog owners to know what foods are safe or dangerous to their health and well-being. The information of dangerous foods may surprise you! If you do not keep these foods away from dogs or unknowingly feed them to your dog you may make them very sick or worse still kill them.

The article below also contains general advise of hazardous chemicals around the home and yard that you need to keep your dog away from. The search tool at the top provides a quick way to check and item. Simply starting typing its name and a filter will show you the relevant information.

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Dangerous Foods for Dogs, Foods to Avoid & Safe Foods

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• DANGEROUS - Alcohol - All alcoholic beverages and foods containing alcohol are dangerous for dogs. Alcohol can cause coma, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, depression, breathing difficulties, tremors and even death. Under no circumstances should your dog be given any alcohol or consume it inadvertently in left over drinks on the floor.
• DANGEROUS - Avocado - The advice for Avocado is a little unclear one, but generally it is wise to avoid feeding Avocado to dogs. Avocados contain the hazardous chemical persin, which can lead to heart failure in many animals, particularly birds. Persin occurs in higher concentrations in the bark, leaves and skin of the fruit, so definitely avoid these. The high fat content of avocado pulp is also a concern. The large Avocado stone or pit may be a choking hazard and is hard for dogs to digest, and so avoid feeding the seeds to dogs.
• DANGEROUS - Chocolate - Dogs should not eat chocolate in any form. Dark chocolate, especially can be fatal for even large dogs. Cacao, the main ingredient contains methylxanthines, which affects the heart and nervous system, causing vomiting and seizures. In very serious cases, eating chocolate can cause cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, or both and can be fatal. Another problem with chocolate is theobromine. It occurs in all types of chocolate, even white chocolate. Dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Chocolate can cause a dog to vomit and have diarrhea. It can also cause tremors, seizures, heart problems and in the worse cases death. Eating chocolate is a common reason for visits to the vet. Call your vet immediately for advice if you suspect your dog has eaten some chocolate. The sugar in chocolate make it very attractive for dogs. Be careful that children may give chocolate to dogs or they may steal some from toddler hands.
• DANGEROUS - Coffee and Caffeine Containing Foods - All such products contain the dog poison methylxanthines, derived from cacao seeds, which are used to make coffee. Chocolate is dangerous for dogs for the same reason. Some nuts and extracts used in some drinks also contain this substance. Methylxanthines when ingested can cause vomiting and diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, heavy panting, tremors, seizures hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm and even death. Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate or white chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines.
• DANGEROUS - Egg (raw or whole) - Raw eggs and whole uncooked eggs should be avoided as there is a chance of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli.
• DANGEROUS - Garlic is very dangerous for dogs. It is the most dangerous of the allium family of plants, all of which should be avoided. The allium family includes onion, leeks, shallots and chives. Garlic can cause damage to red blood cells causing anaemia. Call your vet for advice if your dog eats garlic.
• DANGEROUS - Grapes, Sultanas and Raisins - Grapes and their relatives are extremely toxic for dogs. Even one to two grapes can cause kidney failure and eventual death. It is very hard to treat and damage can occur within an hour of so of eating grapes.
• DANGEROUS - Macadamia nuts - While some nuts are relatively harmless, Macadamia nuts are very dangerous for dogs. When ingested Macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, fever, fatigue and can damage the nervous system. Call your vet for advice if you think your dog may have eaten Macadamia nuts. Take care that your guests who share nuts with drinks do not give some to your dogs. Nuts may be a choking hazard for small dogs.
• DANGEROUS - Raw Potato and Plants - Don't feed your dog with raw potato. Also, do not allow your dog eat any potato plants from your pantry or garden. Raw potato and plant material is poisonous for dogs. However, plain baked potato or other potato is safe.
• DANGEROUS - Rhubarb leaves - The leaves or top sections of Rhubarb plants are toxic for humans and dogs.
• DANGEROUS - Tea - Liquid tea, dried tea and left-over tea is toxic dog because of the caffeine within it.
• DANGEROUS - Xylitol and Other Artificial Sweeteners - Xylitol is used frequently to sweeten chewing gum, candy, sweets, desserts, baked goods and toothpaste. It can affect insulin metabolism, which can lead to liver failure. Signs of problems after ingesting Xylitol include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, nerve problems, loss of coordination and sometimes seizures.
• AVOID - Cheese - Cheese is not dangerous to dogs but the high calories and fat in cheese mean that it should be avoided or used sparingly. You may not know that 50 g of cheese contains about 200 calories, which is about 40% of the total daily energy needs of dog weighing 10 kg. So only use cheese sparingly and occasionally. Only feed you dog with very small pieces as a treat.
• AVOID - Citrus - The fruit, stems, peels, leaves and seeds of citrus plants contain various amounts of citric acid, and essential oils which that can cause problems for dogs. It can lead to irritation and possibly to nervous system problems and depression. Citrus when eaten in moderate to large amounts can cause stomach upsets, particularly in smaller dogs.
• AVOID - Coconut and Coconut Oil - When ingested in small amounts, coconut and coconut-based products are not likely to cause serious harm to your pet. The flesh and milk of fresh coconuts do contain oils that may cause stomach upset, loose stools or diarrhea. Because of this, we encourage you to use caution when offering your pets these foods. Coconut water is high in potassium and should not be given to your pet.
• AVOID - Milk and Dairy Products - Dogs and other pets do to have enough of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk products. This can cause diarrhea or other digestive problems. They can also trigger a variety of food allergies, which can cause discomfort and itches.
• AVOID - Nuts - Nuts, including pecans, walnuts and almonds contain high level of oils and fats, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Regular ingestion may also cause pancreatitis in pets. Nuts are also a choking hazard. Note: Macadamia nuts are poisonous for dogs.
• AVOID - Persimmons, Peaches, Apricots, Plums and other Stone Fruits - While the flesh is fine, the seeds, stones or pips can cause problems. The seeds can cause blockages in the intestine, and can be a choking hazard. Peach and plum stones also contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs. The cyanide can be released if the dogs chew the nuts.
• AVOID - Raw Meat and Bones - Meat can be contaminated with bacteria and should be cooked before feeding to dogs. Raw and cooked bones can shatter when chewed causing choking hazards. The bones may splinter and perforate the intestines.
• AVOID - Salt, Salty Snack Foods, Sauces and other Products - Consumption of large quantities of salt can lead to excessive thirst and urination. Sodium ion poisoning can occur in pets. Ingestion of salty products can cause tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, fevers, seizures and even death. Avoid feeding salt-heavy snacks like pretzels, potato chips, salted popcorn and other products to your dogs.
• AVOID - Sugary Foods, Ice Cream and Drinks. Too much sugar can increase the calorie intake of your dog and tooth decay. This can make your dog overweight and may lead to diabetes.
• AVOID - Yeast Dough - The dough can rise in the dog's stomach causing bloating and a painful build up of gas on the stomach and gut. Yeast produce ethanol as a by-product, and this can be toxic for dogs.
• SAFE - Apple - Apple is safe for dogs and small pieces are a nice healthy reward for good behaviour. Apple is often added to pet food pellet recipes to add extra micro-nutrients and vitamins and to add extra fiber. However there are about 100 Calories in one apple and use sparingly for dogs on calorie controlled diets.
• SAFE - Carrots - Carrots are safe for dogs and are a good choice for a reward. They are especially useful for dogs like Labradors that are always hungry. Dogs love to chew carrots and they are much better than bones. Carrots are low in calories and contain fiber, which helps digestive process and adds bulk to fill up hungry dogs.
• SAFE - Cooked Lean Meats, including chicken - Most dogs are safe and healthy when fed lean cuts of meat that have been cooked well. Remove all visible excess fat, including the skin on poultry. Make sure that there are no bones in the meat before you give it to your dog. Chicken and meat bones can shatter when eaten and can perforate the intestine.
• SAFE - Cooked Pasta - Dogs can safely eat cooked pasta. However, pasta has few nutrients and is high in calories and carbohydrates.
• SAFE - Cooked White or Brown Rice - Dogs can eat cooked plain rice after it has cooled. However, rice has high levels of calories and low nutritional value. So it pays to use sparingly for dogs on a low calorie diet.
• SAFE - Cultivated Mushrooms - The mushrooms sold in stores are generally safe for dogs. Certain species of wild mushrooms can be toxic to humans and dogs, so be careful when there are wild mushrooms in the area you exercise your dog.
• SAFE - Egg (cooked) - Eggs are safe for dogs and can be a good source of protein when included in high-quality pet foods. They’re included in pet foods as they’re really digestible and help to balance the amino acids that your dog gets.
• SAFE - Fish - The omega fatty acids found in fish can be good for a dog’s skin, coat, brain, heart and joints. That is why fish is included in the ingredients of many pellet foods. Many dogs love canned sardines and mackerel. However, as humans are aware be careful of the bones in fresh fish.
• SAFE - Most Fresh and Cooked Vegetables are a safe and healthy snack or food additive for dog meals. This includes peas in their pods, whole carrots or sticks, green beans, slices of cucumber, and zucchini slices. But avoid raw potatoes and avocados. Plain baked potato is OK for your dog.
• SAFE - Most Fresh Fruits - Slices of apples, bananas, oranges, and watermelon are healthy tasty treats for your dog. But make sure you remove the seeds first. Stems, orange skins and leaves can cause problems and they should be removed before giving fruit to your dog. But beware that grapes, sultanas and raisins are very toxic for dogs.
• SAFE - Tomatoes - If your dog will eat them, tomatoes are safe for dogs and tomato is often an ingredient in commercial pet foods. Tomatoes are also rich in fiber and antioxidants, but low in fat and calories.

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Non - Food Pet Dangers to Avoid

Many non-food things in and around the home and yard can be harmful to dogs and other pets, no only through ingestion but also via touch and fumes. This includes plants in the garden, and chemicals in the kitchen, laundry products, and many things stored in the garage and garden shed. Some of these non-food dangers are listed below:

• Adhesives and Glues - Many strong glues like polyurethane adhesives and various wood glues can cause severe harm for pets if they swallow them. The glue can set and form a lump blocking their esophagus or lodging in their stomach. This may require surgery to remove the set glue. The chemicals in the glue can also be harmful.
• Breath Fresheners - Sprays, mints and sugar-free gums used to freshen your breath can be harmful for dogs. The main problem is the sweetener xylitol, which is toxic for dogs.
• Essential Oils, Perfumes and Scents - Pets are very sensitive to some of the ingredients such as tea tree oil, and essential oils derived from birch, sage, wormwood, pennyroyal, wintergreen and even citrus oils. Essential oils can cause breathing problems and skin irritations.
• Food and Snack Bags - Your pets will search your house for tempting snacks and left-overs. Pets can smell the food inside the bags or just be attracted by the bag itself. They may poke their heads inside food and snack bags and get stuck. Also they may eat some of part of the bags. Food and Snack Bags can be dangerous for pets.
• Garden Chemicals, Fertilisers, Insecticides and Weed Killers - All garden supplies and chemicals can be harmful for dogs and other pets.
• Household Chemicals - Even in tiny amounts of chemicals such as antifreeze, paint thinners and most solvents can kill dogs, or cause severe burns to the skin and digestive tract. Various paints and decking oils can also be harmful.
• Laundry and Bathroom Cleaing Supplies - Most laundry soaps, bleaches, fabric softeners and detergents can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. In the worst case these chemicals may kill your dog or cause sever illness.
• Lilies, Holly, and Other Garden Plants - Common plants that can make your dog sick include: tulips, lilies, mistletoe, rhododendrons, holly, daffodil bulbs, azaleas and chrysanthemums.
• Medications, Pills, Health Remedies and Vitamins - All medications are dangerous for dogs and can lead to severe illness and death. Common drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, decongestants, acetaminophen, stomach medicines, diet pills, birth control pills, and even vitamins can cause internal bleeding and other health problems for your dog.
• Moldy Foods, Compost and Leftovers in Garbage - Moldy Foods are avoided when you feed your family, and you should avoid your pets eating them as well. The garbage bin, kitchen tidy and compost heaps are classic places where dogs can find and eat moldy or rotten food. Moldy foods can be very harmful for your dog. Compost spread on garden beds may also be a hazard, including plastic bag remnants.
• Pest Control Sprays, Deodorant and Sunscreen - Most mosquito repellents have the chemical DEET, which is dangerous for dogs and cats. It can cause seizures, tremors and coordination problems, and can be fatal. Ask your vet for a safer way to keep mosquitoes away from your pet. Ingesting sunscreen can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• Rock Salt - Ingestion of rock salt by licking can cause vomiting and even spasms and kidney damage. Brush rock salt off your dog’s paws, legs, and belly fur after they walk on rock salt.
• Soaps - Some bar soaps, face washes, liquid soaps and toothpastes contain a detergent that is often harmful to pets. Eating these items can cause stomach upsets, vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs that consume a whole bar of soap may end up with blocked intestines. Soap containing essential oils can be particularly dangerous.
• Tobacco Products - Cigarettes, nicotine patches, and similar items containing nicotine are very harmful to pets. They can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, an elevated heart rate, drops in blood pressure, sometimes seizures and can be fatal. Make sure all tobacco products, including cigarette buts are kept away from dogs.