Did you know that the avocado skins your dog likes to pull out of the rubbish bin are actually toxic? Many everyday food items are harmless to people, but dangerous, and even deadly, for dogs. If your dog eats something toxic, don’t wait for symptoms. Always call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) straight away.
Common toxic foods in our homes
Chocolate
I once had a dog who found and ate a whole block of Old Gold chocolate that I had forgotten in my handbag. Fortunately, he promptly vomited it all back up again because chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is toxic to dogs. Chocolate contains cocoa, and cocoa contains a compound called theobromine, which can cause poisoning to dogs at certain doses.
Grapes, sultanas and raisins
Think twice before offering your dog leftover muesli. Even small amounts of grapes, or their dried varieties, can cause kidney failure. The likely culprit is tartaric acid and its salt, potassium bitartrate, which dogs can’t process well and builds up in their system. Be extra wary of dried grapes (like raisins, sultanas and currants), which contain more concentrated levels of the toxin.
Macadamia nuts
Nuts seem harmless, but Macadamia nuts are poisonous to dogs. Exactly why this is is unknown, but even a small amount can cause sudden weakness and illness in your pet. As an example, a two-kilogram dog need only eat one or two nuts to exhibit toxicity.
Onions, garlic and leeks
As the basis of many delicious human dinners, onions, garlic and leeks may seem benign. But not so for your dog. Whether dried, liquid, powdered, raw or cooked, all forms of these ingredients are poisonous to your dog. Don’t forget human nutritional supplements containing garlic, too, and keep these well away from your pets. Consumption causes gastroenteritis in dogs, with Japanese breeds are more likely to be adversely affected.
Xylitol
If you buy no-sugar versions of food products, you’ve probably been eating xylitol. Xylitol is a natural substance that is used as an alternative to sugar in products like chewing gum, lollies, toothpaste and baked goods, as well as peanut butter. This last one is particularly important to note as peanut butter is often used as a dog treat. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, and even small amounts can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, or even death.
Raw yeast dough and alcohol
COVID lockdowns sparked a surprise boom in home bread baking, but many pet owners were not aware of the dangers raw yeast dough posed to their dogs. Bread dough poisoning can occur when dogs eat uncooked dough that contains yeast. The inside of a dog’s stomach provides the perfect environment for yeast to produce ethanol, an alcohol that is then absorbed by the dog’s body and results in intoxication. In severe cases, coma and death can occur. The expanding yeast can also cause gastrointestinal problems as it rises inside a dog’s belly.
Avocado
Delicious unassuming avocados are summer staples in many Aussie homes, but they should be stored where pets can’t get to them. These fruits contain a toxin called persin in their flesh, pits, leaves and other parts of the plant, which dogs are susceptible to. It can cause stomach upset and heart attacks, while the high fat content can cause pancreatitis and weight gain.
