Ingestion of Spices in Dogs

Several human foods and spices are just fine for your dog to eat, however there are a few that you should make certain that your pet never ingests. Some spices can be toxic, even deadly to your dog. If you let your dog have table scraps, you should prepare them a separate meal from what you are serving your family.

  1. Nutmeg

    • Nutmeg is a toxic spice to pets. If consumed in high doses, it can lead to death of your pet. Most nutmeg poisonings happen around the Holiday season, especially around Christmas. Nutmeg is a popular spice that can be found in cookies, meals, sauces and eggnog. Avoid letting your pet have table scraps during the holiday season to be certain they do not ingest nutmeg by accident.

    Onion and Garlic

    • Onions and garlic contain an ingredient called thiosulphate. It's not the spice itself that is dangerous to the pet, but the chemical within the bulbs makes it toxic. Don't be concerned if your pet should a few bites of something that contains garlic or onion, however if it is consumed on a regular basis, the thiosulphate causes the red blood cells to weaken and literally fall apart. Most dog food contains garlic and onion powder, however they are at acceptable levels for consumption by your pet.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of nutmeg poisoning may include, but are not limited to: seizures, tremors, central nervous system problems and possible death of the pet. Symptoms of onion and garlic poisoning may include, but are not limited to: severe anemia and possible death. If you notice any lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive panting, or constant drinking in your pet, these too can be signs that something is wrong, or they may be reacting to something they ate.

    Treatment

    • Should your pet be exhibiting any of these symptoms after consuming any of these items, you should call a poison control center immediately or the ASPCA (see Resources). You should also get your dog to the vet as soon as possible for medical intervention.