Toxic Pet Treats

It’s truly a strong pet owner who can resist that big-eyed stare when the scent of your home cooking arouses your pet’s taste buds.  I, for one, have never been able to not share tidbits with my two dogs.  We do not allow begging or whining, and for Radar, “No beards on the table” is strictly enforced.  But we do share nibbles here and there when appropriate.  I just can’t resist a begging dog.

Most vets agree that small amounts of table scraps are fine for dogs, the biggest concerns usually revolving around amounts in connection with your pet’s weight, and of course, those good manners that must be strictly enforced.  But there ARE potentially toxic foods you should be aware of, and how they might affect your buddy.

Most dog owners have heard about large amounts of chocolate not being good for dogs, and in this category you should include raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts.  In my house, those pricey nuts would not be shared with the pups,  on the rare occasion we have them, but you never know if your dog can get into a secret cache somewhere.

For raisins and grapes, larger amounts (which are termed as more than a handful) can cause kidney failure.  Signs would be decreased appetite, vomiting, depression (yes, pets can be depressed!) and lethargy.  Key to note is decreased urine production.  You should be aware the these symptoms have a slow onset and may occur several days after ingestion.  Treatment is available, usually IV fluids as a first treatment.

What about chocolate?  The culprit here is the double whammy of caffeine with a chemical called theobromine.  While white chocolate has a negligible amount of these, dark is anywhere between two to five times more toxic than its milk version.  Who knew?  The combo of these two in a pet’s bloodstream can produce an elevated heart rate and a ‘rush’ seen as excitability, much as caffeine does in us.   In your pet, this can advance to vomiting and diarrhea and possibly seizures.  Your vet can prescribe beta-blockers to slow the heart rate, and anti-convulsant’s to control seizures until the toxins leave the bloodstream.

As for macadamia nuts, the cause of this nut’s toxicity is unknown, but the symptoms include tremors, vomiting and weakness in the rear limbs.  Vets would give laxatives to get those pesky nuts to travel quickly through your pet’s digestive system.

Additionally, you should be aware that a toxin called thiosulfate can cause anemia in your pet if eaten repeatedly.  This is found in garlic, chives, and onions, which most dogs love.  Small bits of onion are not a problem, but the  quantity is.  And don’t overlook that onion dip you leave tantalizingly on your reachable coffee table!

Be aware that uncooked bread and pizza dough can lead to alcohol toxicity from the yeast fermenting in your pet’s stomach.  This can cause bloat, distension of the stomach, which deep-chested breeds are particularly susceptible to.  Your dog will appear, well. . . drunk—staggering, depressed and inebriated.  So don’t leave that rising dough on a counter top or table where your larger dog can find it.

For small breeds, watch those high-fat foods like cheese, potato chips and meat fat trimmings.  These may trigger pancreatic enzymes to induce an inflammation of the pancreas, which manifests itself with a tender tummy, vomiting and diarrhea.

The bottom line is: just as you should be aware of what you put in your own mouth,  be aware of what you put in your pet’s mouth, and your dog will remain healthy~and with good manners!

{Thanks to: Google Images and  Tufts University Vet Med.}