This holiday season, in addition to being thankful for my amazing life, I am thankful to my friend and vet, Dr. Kim Danoff of Paws to Heal Veterinary Clinic in Vienna, Virginia. In her newsletter this month she shares some great reminders and I couldn’t have said it better myself! So thanks, Dr. Danoff, for reminding us – and teaching us – about foods that may be toxic to our best friends!
Chocolate
Most of us know that chocolate is bad for our pets. 95% of chocolate ingestion calls to animal poison control are for dogs. Dark chocolate and less sweet chocolate tend to be more toxic because they have higher cocoa contents.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a popular, natural, sugar free sweetener that is often in gum and desserts. Xylitol when ingested by pets very quickly lowers the blood sugar and can cause liver failure with in 24 hours.
Raisins, Grapes and even Currants
Whether they are yogurt covered, in granola, or by themselves raisins, grapes, and currants can be bad news. Raisins, grapes, currants can cause very rapid onset of kidney failure that is often fatal.
Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Depending on the formulation, these aerosol sprays contain hydrocarbons, which are volatile substances. Some of the early signs of ingestion in your pet include an upset stomach. A high amount can lead to respiratory tract problems and a condition known as aspiration pneumonia.
Birds are very sensitive to cooking sprays because they have a unique respiratory tract that makes them very susceptible to irritation, so be really careful not only with cooking sprays but anything coming from an aerosol container when around birds.
Yeast Dough
If yeast dough is ingested it can expand, rise in the stomach, and can present a dangerous risk to your pet’s intestinal system, such as an intestinal rupture. Also, alcohol fermentation may take place in your pet’s stomach and if there’s enough ingested it can lead to alcohol poisoning. Any pet is at risk. Keep an eye out for signs of gastrointestinal irritation – vomiting, diarrhea and drooling.
Coffee Grounds
The harmful substances like theobromine and the caffeine found in coffee grounds are very similar to those in chocolate and often produce the same side effects. Look out for vomiting and diarrhea. In addition your pet may experience hyperactivity, increased heart rate, seizures, tremors and possibly even death, depending on the amount ingested.
Macadamia Nuts
We’ve only seen a negative reaction from these nuts in dogs and we don’t know all that much about why they are dangerous, but we would recommend keeping them away from all pets. It’s an interesting phenomenon – if enough are ingested (and as little as a handful can be seen as dangerous), we see weakness in hind legs and can see the gastrointestinal effects – vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. These nuts can also affect the central nervous system and cause depression and muscle tremors. Generally signs resolve in 48 hours with proper care and treatment.
Onions & Onion Powder
Onions, garlic and chives are all part of the allium species. Any of plants can produce similar effects. Look for the common gastrointestinal effects and trouble breathing. In addition, these substances can see significant damage to a pet’s red blood cells. Cats can be particularly sensitive but it is dangerous to cats, dogs and birds.
If you think your pet has ingested a toxic food, please contact a veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435
