Ken had only been gone for a few hours, but when he returned home he knew something bad had happened. His dog, a sweet pit bull named Girly, had gotten sick in every room of the house. Instead of the normal greeting at the door, he found her in her bed, listless and panting.
When he saw the shredded bag that had held a few pounds of dark chocolate that his wife was using to make holiday treats, he knew what had happened. Girly had ingested about three pounds of dark chocolate.
Thankfully, Girly’s story has a happy ending. After calling the pet poison control hotline and following all of their instructions, Ken helped Girly make a full recovery. Unfortunately, many pets that get into chocolate and other harmful foods have long lasting medical issues and many die.
Below is a list of some of the foods that can be dangerous for your pet. These foods should never be left in a place where your pet can gain access to them. Chocolate, in particular, smells wonderful to your dog. If you are giving it as a Christmas present, it is not safe to wrap and put it under the tree.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine. Theobromine is extremely dangerous for dogs. It affects their central nervous system and can cause heart problems. It will bring on severe vomiting and diarrhea. In the most serious cases, death will occur.
All chocolate is dangerous, but the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains and therefore the more dangerous it is for your pet. Unfortunately, most dogs like the taste of chocolate and, given the chance as Girly was, will eat as much of it as they can.
While a small bite of chocolate will likely not harm your pet, it is best to keep this particular human treat out of his diet completely.
Onions
Onions, and to a lesser degree garlic, contain thiosulphate. This substance is poisonous to dogs. Some pet owners are confused because they note that certain dog treats list onion as an ingredient. That is because it takes a certain dosage for onions to be dangerous. Still, because the poisonous substance can build in your pet’s system over time, it is best to leave onions out of their diet.
Grapes
Grapes, while a favorite of many dogs, can cause kidney failure. Raisins can also have a similar impact, so both should be avoided.
Sugar Free Foods
Foods that use a sugar substitute may contain xylitol which is dangerous for dogs. While sugar-free treats might be healthier for the humans in your house, xylitol can cause liver failure in dogs. It is commonly found in sugar-free chewing gum.
Yeast
Yeast or raw dough containing yeast can cause serious problems for your dog’s digestive tract. It can actually swell in his stomach and even cause portions of the intestines to rupture.
Alcohol
Some people think it is amusing to give their dog beer, wine or other alcohol. Vets report an increase in this activity during the holiday season. Unless you also think it is funny to watch your dog go into a coma and die, its best to leave alcohol off of your pet’s holiday menu.
Other foods to avoid feeding your pet are avocados, macadamia nuts, bones, fruit pits, coffee, soda, raw eggs, mushrooms, nutmeg, rhubarb, potatoes, broccoli and green tomatoes.
If you think that your pet has eaten a harmful food, contact your vet immediately. You can also contact the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680. Both charge a fee for the call.
