Bad Foods for a Dog's Liver

Dogs seem to have a way of finding and eating foods when their owners aren&'t looking. Some quietly sneak into the garbage can to find their treats, while others are bold enough to eat the food right off their owners&' plates when they look away for a moment. Whatever the reason, some foods can cause liver problems in dogs. If your dog ingests one of these foods, call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center right away.

  1. Sugarless Candy

    • Sugarless candy and chewing gum containing the sweetener xylitol can be toxic to dogs. According to Merck Veterinary Manual, xylitol can cause liver failure and death when ingested by dogs. The amount of xylitol that a dog must ingest to be toxic varies based upon the dog&'s weight and overall health. Though there is no antidote to xylitol, supportive measures can be taken to increase the function of the liver and improve the chances of the dog&'s full recovery, but veterinary care must be sought immediately.

    Mushrooms

    • Mushrooms are toxic to dogs, with some more toxic than others. Some types of mushrooms cause only mild discomfort and relatively moderate symptoms such as diarrhea, while others are potentially fatal. The amanita phalloides species, according to Merck Veterinary Manual, is known to be the most toxic and can cause dogs to go into liver failure, which can result in death if left untreated. However, when veterinary care is sought immediately, toxicity can often be prevented by inducing vomiting or administering activated charcoal.

    Alcohol

    • According to "Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition and Health," even small amounts of alcohol can be toxic to a dog&'s liver, causing liver failure and death if left untreated. Dogs&' livers are not capable of processing alcohol in the same manner as humans&' livers. Inducing vomiting is unlikely to be of much assistance in preventing illness associated with a dog ingesting alcohol, as alcohol starts to be absorbed into a dog&'s system through the mucous membranes in the dog&'s mouth. Only prompt veterinary care can increase the chances of a dog surviving alcohol ingestion.