Since we were talking about this a bit ago, I just thought I would post
this. Forgive me if the formatting goes bad as it is a cut and paste. It
seems to be pretty comprehensive.

Mike
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Many people indulge dogs by feeding them table scraps now and then. Dogs
are also experts in sniffing out smelly, tasty food lying around and
quickly gulping it down before you can snatch it away. So knowing what
foods are toxic to dogs is helpful in preventing an accidental poisoning If
you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic food, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Fruits, Vegetables and Nuts

raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs

Grapes and Raisins - Eating as few as 4 to 5 grapes or raisins can be
poisonous to a 20 pound (9 kg) dog, though the exact toxic dose will vary between dogs. Signs of toxicity occur within 24 hours and can start within
few hours.

Symptoms: vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased
urine production, weakness and "drunken" walking.

Possible Outcomes: Can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys, possibly resulting in death.

Action: Take your pet to your vet or emergency clinic. The vet may start by inducing vomiting, or the stomach might be pumped (gastric lavage).
Treatment involves aggressive supportive care - particularly fluid therapy
and medications.



avocados can be toxic to dogs

Avocados (entire plant: leaves, fruit, seeds and bark) - contain Persin,
which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, and also trigger difficulty breathing, fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart, or
pancreatitis. It is under debate as to whether or not the actual meat and
oils are poisonous to dogs, with no scientific conclusions at this time.
Note that avocado meat and oils are used in some dog products and foods.

Symptoms: problems breathing (loss of breath, wheezing), vomiting,
diarrhea, nasal congestion, fluid accumulation in the dog heart and chest area.

Possible Outcomes: pancreatitis, oxygen deprivation leading to death.

Action: Take your pet to your vet or emergency clinic. The vet may start by inducing vomiting, or the stomach might be pumped (gastric lavage).
Treatment involves aggressive supportive care including fluid therapy and medications.


Onions, Garlic, Chives - can cause the destruction of red blood cells known
as Heinz body anemia, a form of hemolytic anemia. No clear quantity has
been established as to the onset of the anemia. But for garlic, if your dog consumes the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of garlic for every 10 pounds of
their weight (1 teaspoon for a 10 pound dog) it can destroy red blood
cells. Poisonous reaction can result from raw, cooked or dried onions,
garlic, chives, including those included in powdered or dehydrated forms.
Avoid all foods that contain onions or onion variants (such as spagetti sauce).

Symptoms: pale gums, rapid heart rate, weakness and lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody urine.

Possible Outcomes: can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys, death.

Action: Take your pet to the vet or emergency clinic for care. The vet may administer blood transfusions and/or oxygen, followed by fluid therapy.



Sunripe tomatoes and stems can be toxic to dogsTomatoes (unripe or plant
part) - contain tomatine, an alkaloid related to solanine and atropine. As
the fruit ripens, the tomatine is metabolized. Therefore, ripened, red
tomatoes are not likely to be harmful to a dog when eaten.

However, tomato plants (the vines, stems and leaves) are toxic and can
cause serious symptoms if eaten. Green, unripened tomatoes can also be potentially harmful, but contain less of the toxic chemicals - tomatine and atrophine - than the plant parts.

Atropine is concentrated in the vines and leaves of a tomato plant and can cause dilated pupils, tremors, and heart arrhythmias. Tomatine triggers abnormalities with the nervous system, kidneys and digestive tract.

Symptoms: Tremors, seizures, heart arrhythimias. Clinical signs of tomatine poisoning include lethargy, drooling, difficulty breathing, colic,
vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, widely-dilated pupils, paralysis,
cardiac effects, central nervous system signs (e.g., ataxia, muscle
weakness, tremors, seizures), resulting from cholinesterase inhibition,
coma and death.

Action: Take your pet to the vet or emergency clinic for care.


Raw and Green Potatoes - eating potatoes that are green or have a
distinctive green rim between the peel and inside can be toxic because of solanum alkaloids that can cause solanine poisoning. Symptoms of solanine ingestion can include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, cardiac dysrhythmia, headache and dizziness.

Therefore, green potatoes should not be eaten by human or dog as they may
get sick. Raw potatoes also contain oxalates (like tomatoes) which dogs can react to. Oxalates can trigger abnormalities with the nervous system,
kidneys and digestive tract.

Note: Cooked potatoes appear to be fine for dogs and can be found in many commercial dog foods.

Symptoms of oxalates: Tremors, seizures, heart arrhythimias.

Action: Take your pet to the vet or emergency clinic for care.



Rhubarb - like tomatoes and raw potatoes, rhubarb contain oxalates, which trigger abnormalities with the nervous system, kidneys and digestive tract.

Symptoms: Tremors, seizures, heart arrhythimias.

Action: Take your pet to the vet or emergency clinic for care.



some varieties of mushrooms can be toxic to dogs

Mushrooms - can contain toxins are very dangerous for dogs, and in the
worst cases, can result in the death. Common white mushrooms appear to be
safe for dogs and are not considered dangerous foods for dogs. However,
wild mushrooms are often poisonous.

The majority of fatal cases of poisoning are by the death cap mushroom
(Amanita Phalloides), which are thankfully not used in cooking. It is best
to consider all wild mushrooms potentially toxic to dogs.



Symptoms vary dependent on mushroom. They may include: nervous system abnormalities, anxiety, restlessness, slow heart beat, wheezing, urination, salivation, diarrhea, seizure, coma, vomiting.

For death cap mushrooms symptoms include: profuse bloody diarrhea, nausea
and vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, fever, and a rapid heart beat
which lasts for approximately 24 hours. The next phase results in death
within 3 to 7 days.

Possible Outcomes: organ failures (including kidneys, liver, brain),
seizure, coma, vomiting, and death.

Action: Take your dog to the vet immediately. If possible collect a sample
of the mushroom your dog has eaten for identification of the species of mushroom. There is a new procedure for mushroom poisoning in dogs that can
be discussed with your vet. Note: Do not store the mushrooms in a plastic
bag. Use a paper bag, moist paper towel, or wax paper.



fruit pits are toxic to dogsFruit Pits and Seeds - Apple seeds, cherry
pits, peach pits, and plum pits contain toxic cyanide, which is poisionous
to dogs. Additionally, pits and seeds can cause intestinal obstruction.

Signs of intestinal obstruction may include: anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, no appetite, swollen abdomen, fever, dehydration,
and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within 3 to 4 days.

Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include: dilated pupils, apprehension, hyperventilation, shock, vomiting, panting, apnea tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, coma, skin irritation.

Possible Outcomes: cardiac arrest, coma, death.

Action: Take your pet to emergency vet care immediately. In some cases, antidotes are available. Other treatments include oxygen therapy, fluids
and supportive care.


Persimmon Seeds - can cause inflammation of the dog's intestine causing enteritis.

Symtpoms: diarrhea and possibly a high temperature.

Action: Take your pet to the vet immediately. In some cases, antidotes are available. Other treatments include oxygen therapy, fluids and supportive care.



some nuts can be toxic to dogsTree nuts, such as walnuts, pecans,
pistachios, and Brazil nuts - are often contaminated with very low levels
of the poison Aflatoxin, which comes from the Aspergillus mold. Although
levels are safe for humans, dogs are acutely sensitive to this poison, and
even low levels of Aflatoxin can be extremely toxic and lead to
complications such as gastroenteritis.

Other varieties of nuts such as walnuts can cause various other dog
illnesses and dog poisoning. Nuts also have a high phosphorus content which causes the formation of bladder stones in dogs.

Peanut butter (non-salted) appears to be non-toxic to dogs, although
peanuts themselves may have ill-effects on your dog.

Symptoms of Aflatoxin poisoning include: loss of appetite, lethargy,
vomiting, orange-colored urine and jaundice, liver failure, blood-tinged
vomit and bloody or blackened stools.

Possible Outcomes: Aflatoxin causes severe hepatocellular necrosis (acute
liver failure) within 72 hours.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis include: persistent vomiting (sometimes bile
may be seen in the vomit), dehydration and watery diarrhea. Lethargy, lack
of appetite, stomach grumbling, and general listlessness.

Symptoms of bladder stones include: difficulty urinating, frequent
"dribbling" urination, bloody urine, painful urination. This results in blockage of urinary tract due to bladder stones.

These episodes can be either acute (short lived), or last for several days.

Action: Take your dog to the vet for immediate treatment.


Macadamia Nuts - generally consumption will not be fatal, but can cause
your dog to become extremely ill. The toxin in the nut is not know.
Ingestion of just a handful of nuts can cause adverse effects. As few as
six macadamia nuts can trigger locomotory difficulties in dogs. Toxicity
will typically evince within 6 to 24 hours.

Symptoms: vomiting, weakness, depression, lack of energy, drunken walking, joint/muscle pain, and joint swelling, tremors, ataxia, hyperthermia,
abdominal pain.

Possible Outcomes: Severely sick. May require hospitalization.

Action: Take your pet to the vet if symptoms are not abating or large
quantity of nuts is consumed. Dogs are typically treated symptomatically
and recover uneventfully within 1 to 2 days. In-hospital supportive care
may be recommend for dogs that become very sick.

Fatty Meats - although saturated fats aren't technically poisonous foods
for dogs, high fat foods (such as bacon, ham) can be very dangerous foods
for dogs and can cause canine pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Chronic pancreatitis in dogs may develop over time with regular and
frequent ingestion of high fat foods. Or, just one fatty meal can cause
acute pancreatitis in dogs. Canine pancreatitis is a painful and
potentially life-threatening disease. Generally, middle-aged and older
female dogs appear to be more susceptible to canine pancreatitis, as do Miniature Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, and Miniature Schnauzers.

Symptoms: may either be mild and not that obvious, or clearly very painful
and severe. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, no appetite, abdominal pain, dehydration, severe weakness and/or collapse, shock, and fever. Signs of abdominal pain include restlessness, heavy panting, wincing, trembling,
arched back, or lying with their front down and their rear end up.

Actions: Take your dog to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.

cat food can be harmful to dogs



Cat Food - is very high in fats and protein and when ingested by a dog, particularly in large amounts or on a regular basis, can lead to
potentially deadly pancreatitis. For symptoms of pancreatitis see Fatty
Meats above.



Raw Eggs - can risk food poisioning from bacteria like Salmonella or E.
coli. Also there is an enzyme in raw eggs that interferes with the
absorption of a particular B vitamin, that can cause skin and coat problems
for your dog if fed raw eggs for a long period of time.

Actions: A bout of antibiotics may be necessary for a detected bacterial infection.



Raw Fish - certain kinds of fish such as salmon, trout, shad, or sturgeon
can contain a parasite (Nanophyetus salmincola) which is infected with an organism called Neorickettsia helminthoeca that causes "fish disease" in
dogs. This parasite is commonly found in fish that swim upstream. To avoid infection, thoroughly cook the fish which will kill the parasite and
protect your dog.

Symptoms: vomiting, weakness, appetite loss, dehydration, fever, and
swollen lymph nodes.

Possible Outcomes: severe illness. If not treated the disease can be fatal within 2 weeks.

Actions: Take your pet to a vet. This condition can be diagnosed with a
fecal sample. Antibiotics and a wormer will likely be prescribed. Dogs
recover quickly from this type of infection.



Camel Meat from Australia - can contain the acid indospicine which can
cause severe and sometimes fatal liver disease in dogs. The cause is that
some camels in Australia graze plants that have a toxic amino acid which accumulates in the camels' system and is then passed on to dogs when the
dogs eat their meat. The RSPCA is warning pet owners to avoid feeding their dogs camel meat.

Symptoms: Lethargy, decreased appetite, diahrea, vomiting, jaundice. Stools
may be gray and light in color, urine may be darker than normal, possible orange. Some dogs may also sufer from weakness and confusion.

Possible Outcomes: hepatotoxicosis, severe liver diseases.

Actions: take your dog to the vet if you suspect camel meat poisoning.

Baking Soda, baking powder - large quantities need to be ingested for toxic effect (relative to a dog's size). Typically, these compounds release gases when they react with moisture and heat (as in your dog's stomach). This reaction can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium and/or high sodium), muscle spasms and /or congestive heart failure. Fortunately, dogs do not generally find these types of leavening agents
very appetizing.

Symptoms: muscle spasms and/or congestive heart failure.

Possible Outcomes: muscle convulsions, congestive heart failure.

Action: If you believe your dog has consumed a toxic quantity take your pet
to a vet for care.



Nutmeg - can cause tremors, seizures and death. Nutmeg causes damage to the dog's central nervous system. The exact quantities to be ingested to cause severe reaction is unknown, but generally speaking, large quantities would
need to be ingested (factoring in size of the dog in relation to amount). However some dogs may be more senstive to the ingredient than others. It is unknown what compound is toxic. If left untreated, dog poisoning from
nutmeg can be fatal.

Symptoms: tremors, muscle spasms and seizures.

Possible Outcomes: severely ill, death.

Action: if your dog ingests a large amount monitor your pet and if in doubt
or the dog evinces any symptoms take your pet to the vet.



Xylitol - is a sugar-free sweetener most often found in sugarless chewing
gum and candy. It can also be found in toothpaste, baked goods and some
diet foods. For dogs it is toxic as it stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure. As
few as 2 pieces of gum can cause hypoglycemia in a 20 pound (9 kg) dog. A
pack of gum can cause liver damage. Signs of toxicity can occur within 30
to 60 minutes.

Symptoms: vomiting, lethargy, weakness, drunken gait, collapse and seizures.

Possible Outcomes: hypoglycemia, liver failure, permanent liver damage, death.

Action: Fast action required. Take your pet to a vet or emergency clinic immediately. The vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. The dog will need to be treated intravenously with dextrose (sugar) and monitored closely for several days. If treated early enough, many dogs improve with supportive care, though liver damage can be permanent.



Salt - eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination in a
dog and, although rare, can lead to sodium ion poisoning. Sodium ion
poisoning restricts the amount of water and oxygen in the body. When a dog
is diagnosed with epilepsy without a known cause, the reason could be salt.

Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body
temperature, seizures, kidney failure. It may even cause death.

Action: Take your dog to the vet. Depending on the severity of the
poisoning, the dog may be given an antibiotic and anti-emetic drug to stop seizures. Intravenous therapy to increase the flow of oxygen and flush the
high salt content from the blood may also be administered.



raw yeast can be toxic to dogs

Raw Yeast/Uncooked Yeast Dough - when uncooked it produces ethanol, like alcohol.

Symptoms: sedation, depression, lethargy, weakness, drunken gait and hypothermia.

Possible Outcomes: liver failure, coma, seizures and death.

Action: Fast intervention needed. Take pet as soon as possible to vet or emergency clinic. The vet will treat with aggressive supportive care with
fluid therapy and medications.

Chocolate and Cocoa - contains a chemical called theobromide that is toxic
to dogs and affects the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.
Pure baking chocolate or very dark chocolate is most toxic, while more
diluted forms, such as milk chocolate or cocoa butter require much more to
be injested to cause harm. A 20 pound (9 kg) dog can be poisoned after consuming about 2 ounces (56 grams) of baking chocolate, but it would take nearly 20 ounces (566 grams) of milk chocolate to cause serious harm. Note: some dogs may be more sensitive and react with lesser amounts than the quantities stated above.

Symptoms: hyperactivity, excitement, tremors, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rate, "drunken" walking, hyperthermia and coma.

Possible Outcomes: Damage to heart, lungs, kidney organs, and coma or death.

Action: Take your pet to a vet immediately. The vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. Activated charcoal may be administered along with aggressive supportive care with fluid therapy and medications.



caffeine can be toxic to dogs

Caffeine (coffee, tea) and caffeinated items (such as energy drinks) -
similar to the toxic chemical theobromide found in chocolate, caffeine can damage the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system. A lethal dose
is considered to be around 70 mg per 1 lb body weight (150 mg / kg body weight). As an example, instant coffee contains over 60 mg caffeine per teaspoon. So, the lethal dose of caffeine for a 15 lb (6.8 kg) dog would be
17 teaspoons of instant coffee. Stronger coffees such as Turkish coffee, percolated coffees, and energy drinks would take much less to become toxic
for a dog.

Symptoms: hyperactivity, excitement, restlessness, and vomiting. These can
be followed by panting, weakness, rapid heart rate, drunken walking, muscle tremors and convulsions.

Possible Outcomes: Damage to heart, lungs, kidney organs, heart attack,
coma or death.

Action: Take your pet to a vet immediately if you suspect a toxic dose. The
vet may induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage. Activated charcoal may
be administered along with aggressive supportive care with fluid therapy
and medications.



alcohol can be toxic to dogs

Alcohol - contains ethanol, a seriously toxic chemical compound to dogs
that causes central nervous system and respiratory depression. Only small amounts of ethanol can cause toxic effects. Ethanol is rapidly absorbed
into the dog's system, so it is important to seek medical attention
quickly. Inducing vomiting usually will not help.

Symptoms: sedation, depression, lethargy, weakness, drunken gait and hypothermia.

Possible Outcomes: intoxication, liver failure, coma, seizures and death.

Action: Fast intervention needed. Take pet as soon as possible to vet or emergency clinic. The vet will treat with aggressive supportive care with
fluid therapy and medications.



beer can be toxic to dogs

Beer and Hops - hops is used in the brewing of beer. Toxicity can occur
both before, and after the hops has been used in brewing. Dogs particularly like hops soaked in sweet wort. Greyhounds and labradors are particularly sensitive to hops poisoning. Small amounts of hops can trigger a reaction.

Symptoms: malignant hyperthermia, carbon dioxide levels in blood increase dramatically, high fever (up to 108 degrees), heavy panting, rapid
heart-rate (up to 200 beats per minute)

Possible Outcomes: dangerous fever, blood toxicity, death

Action: Fast intervention needed. Take pet as soon as possible to vet or emergency clinic. The vet will likely induce vomiting and treat with
aggressive supportive care with fluid therapy and medications. You may find that your vet is unfamiliar with hop toxicity. If necessary, contact an
Animal Poison Control Center while at your vet, so they can offer
professional advice to your vet.

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