Many people assume that what’s healthy for us is also good for our dogs. After all, natural foods like grapes, onions, or avocados are tasty and nutritious by human standards. But when it comes to canine health, some natural ingredients can do more harm than good. Various natural foods are toxic to dogs and can be very dangerous for them if eaten, potentially leading to organ failure or even life-threatening illness.
To help you avoid giving your beloved pet the wrong food, we’ve compiled this handy guide of natural foods that you should never feed your dog and keep stashed away somewhere safe.
Common Natural Foods That Can Harm Your Dog
Grapes & Raisins
Although small, grapes and raisins can have a massive impact on your pet’s digestive system. Even a tiny amount can cause sudden kidney failure in some dogs, although it’s not known for certain why grapes and raisins cause such a reaction in dogs.
If your furry companion eats a raisin or grape, symptoms tend to start showing within just a few hours. Your dog may have a sudden loss of appetite or become incredibly tired, start vomiting or have abdominal pain. Because the reaction can vary from dog to dog and there’s no way to predict how your pet will respond, it’s safest to avoid giving your pet grapes and raisins altogether. Make sure to avoid giving your pet baked goods containing raisins too.
Onions & Garlic
While they’re a great way to add flavour to our food, onions and garlic are highly toxic to dogs, whether they’re eaten raw, cooked, powdered, or dried. Both onions and garlic contain compounds that can damage your dog’s red blood cells, which leads to anaemia. Even small amounts consumed regularly or in a single large dose can cause weakness, vomiting, shortness of breath, and pale gums. You shouldn’t feed your beloved pet any table scraps, seasonings, or dishes that may contain either onions or garlic. If you’re not sure, it’s best to read ingredient labels or avoid feeding the dish to your dog altogether.
Despite our best efforts as owners, accidents can still happen. To make sure your dog gets the best medical care if they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t, reliable pet insurance can make all the difference. You can get comprehensive pet insurance that helps cover unexpected veterinary costs, including emergency treatments for toxic food-related issues. Having pet insurance in place will give you peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for the unexpected and your furry friend gets the care they need without any delays.
Cocoa & Caffeine
While many people rely on chocolate and coffee to get them through the day, cocoa and caffeine are highly toxic to our canine companions. Found in chocolate, coffee, tea, energy drinks, and even some baked goods, cocoa and caffeine can cause serious health issues in dogs, whether it’s consumed in small amounts regularly or one large dose. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are especially dangerous for dogs.
Your dog could suddenly become restless, start rapidly breathing or even have muscle tremors or seizures. In severe cases, eating caffeine or cocoa can even result in death for some dogs. So, while it might be tempting to share a sweet treat, it’s safest to keep anything containing cocoa or caffeine far out of your dog’s reach.
Stone Fruits
Fruits like peaches, plums, cherries, and apricots may seem like a nice summer treat, but they come with hidden dangers for dogs. While the flesh in small amounts isn’t typically harmful to dogs, the real risk lies in the pits. The hard stones in these fruits can cause choking or intestinal blockages if your dog swallows them, which can quickly turn dangerous. Even more concerning, the pits contain cyanogenic compounds that can release cyanide when chewed or broken down, which can poison your beloved pet.
Signs that your dog may be suffering from cyanide poisoning include drooling, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, and shock. If the stone is caught in your pet’s windpipe, your dog may be struggling to breathe, pawing at their face or mouth or gagging. You need to seek immediate veterinary attention as soon as possible if you suspect your pet has swallowed a fruit stone or is choking on one.
Dairy Products
While many dogs may enjoy the taste of cheese, milk, or ice cream, dairy products can cause digestive issues for a significant number of them. As per the Blue Cross, cheese itself isn’t poisonous or dangerous to dogs, but the added ingredients (such as onion, garlic and herbs) can be harmful. You also shouldn’t give your pet blue cheese, as the mould in the cheese can make your dog very ill.
As with humans, some dogs are also lactose intolerant, which means they can suffer from symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhoea, and pains in their stomach. Some dairy products are high in fat and can contribute to pancreatitis or weight gain. While the odd piece of cheese or dog-friendly ice cream can be a nice treat for your beloved companion, you should limit how much you feed your dog to avoid upsetting their stomach.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic
If you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, time is critical. It’s important to stay calm and try to work out exactly what and how much your dog has eaten and remove the item to prevent them from eating anymore.
Phone your vet immediately and explain the situation so they can either book you in for an emergency appointment or give you immediate advice over the phone. You may also want to take a photo of the food or take the packaging with you when you go to the vets so they can assess the situation fully.
Despite what your first instinct may be, you shouldn’t induce vomiting, as some substances can cause more harm if your pet brings them back up. What you can do is monitor your dog closely and watch for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, tremors, or breathing issues and report them to your vet.
While accidents do happen, you can help prevent your furry friend from eating dangerous natural foods by keeping them out of reach. Make sure to tuck food away in cupboards, containers or in the fridge rather than leaving it out on the side where your dog may be tempted to eat it. If the worst should happen, contact your vet immediately and let them know exactly what your dog has eaten, how much and when.
