A List of Dangerous Household Foods & Plants for Dogs

Ingesting certain foods or plants can lead to grave consequences for dogs--consequences that include coma or death. Symptoms can occur within minutes or take days to manifest. If you suspect your dog has ingested a poisonous substance, contact your veterinarian immediately for help. The Safe Dog Handbook lists a number of common signs of canine poisoning to watch for, including twitching or trembling, drooling or foaming at the mouth, coughing, pale or discolored gums, swollen or irritated eyes, bleeding from the nose or mouth and erratic or uncoordinated behavior.

  1. Chocolate

    • Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine. Ingesting these substances can lead to diarrhea, increased thirst, hyperactivity, panting, vomiting, irregular heart rhythm and muscle tremors in canines, according to PetEducation.com. In large doses, these substances can lead to coma or death.

    Avocado

    • Persin, a toxin found in the bark, seeds, fruit and leaves of avocados, is toxic to dogs. Ingesting it leads to digestive ailments such as diarrhea and vomiting. The Safe Dog Handbook warns that, in addition to being poisonous, avocado pits are also a choking hazard for dogs.

    Grapes and Raisins

    • Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin that can damage a dog's liver if ingested in even small doses. PetEducation.com estimates that 0.3 ounce of grapes or .05 ounce of raisins per each pound of a dog's body weight may be toxic. Signs of poisoning include appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy, diarrhea and vomiting.

    Onions and Garlic

    • Garlic and onions contain toxins such as methyl disulfide, n-propyl disulfide and s-methylcysteine sulfoxide. While some pet foods contain traces of garlic or onions, ingesting more than a trace amount can cause a condition called Heinz body anemia, which breaks down red blood cells and leads to anemia. A dog that eats onion or garlic bulbs, flowers, stems or bulbets may vomit, have diarrhea, become anemic, develop liver damage or have problems breathing.

    Aloe

    • Aloe, or Aloe vera, contains toxins called saponins that are poisonous to both dogs and cats. A dog that ingests aloe may display tremors, a refusal to eat, diarrhea, vomiting or depression. The dog's urine may also change color, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

    Geraniums

    • Geraniums contain linalool and geraniol, substances that are toxic to both dogs and cats. After ingesting a part of the geranium plant, dogs may refuse to eat, vomit or display signs of depression. Geraniums can also cause dermatitis, an allergic skin reaction, in dogs.

    Rhubarb

    • Rhubarb, or Rheum rhabarbarium, is toxic to dogs because of the soluble calcium oxalates that it contains. A dog that ingests rhubarb may suffer from tremors and excess salivation. The ASPCA warns that eating rhubarb can also cause kidney failure in dogs.