Foods That Dogs Shouldn't Eat

Several foods can be dangerous for a dog to consume. Toxicity levels vary depending on the food ingested, the amount given and the size of the dog. Smaller dogs experience more severe symptoms at smaller doses of each item. Some items like chocolate and tobacco are more well-known toxins, but there are other lesser known items like grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts. All three food items are toxic to dogs.

  1. Chocolate

    • Chocolate contains theobromine. That can cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, seizures, a coma, or death in dogs depending on the amount ingested. Usually the more bitter the chocolate, the higher the level of theobromine. Unsweetened baking chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate.

    Grapes

    • Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin that damages the kidneys in dogs. Symptoms include tiredness, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

    Tobacco

    • Tobacco contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. This can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.

    Mushrooms

    • The kinds of toxins in mushrooms vary with species. Some mushrooms cause hallucinations, hyperactivity and coma while others damage the liver, heart or kidneys. This can cause death. Symptoms usually occur within 6 to 8 hours after ingestion.

    Caffeine

    • Caffeine causes muscle tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, and hyperactivity while increasing the breathing and heart rate of dogs. Symptoms start within 6 to 12 hours of consuming.

    Macadamia Nuts

    • Initial symptoms include fatigue, vomiting, overheating, and progress to rear leg paralysis. Symptoms start within 3 to 12 hours of eating the nuts and usually resolve within 24 hours.

    Treatment

    • Treatment generally includes inducing vomiting, flushing the dog's stomach, administering fluids, and activated charcoal. Veterinarians can recommend the appropriate course of treatment based on each dog's symptoms.