Dogs are naturally curious and love exploring their surroundings. This means they sometimes come into contact with things they shouldn't. Therefore, don't assume your pet won't chew, lick, or swallow potentially harmful items.
You place great importance on your dog's health and safety, but sometimes the greatest risks lurk right under your nose. Many common items are harmful to dogs, found in food, plants, and even everyday household products. Understanding these hazards and managing them properly is key to keeping your dog safe.
1. Common foods:
Chocolate/Coffee/Tea: Contains theobromine and caffeine, which affect the heart and nervous system.
Onions, garlic, and leeks: Contain sulfur compounds that can damage red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia.
Grapes/Raisins: May cause acute kidney failure, though the mechanism remains unclear. Symptoms in dogs after ingestion include vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures, and coma.
Xylitol (found in chewing gum, certain peanut butters, etc.): Stimulates a large release of insulin, causing a sharp drop in blood sugar.
Macadamia nuts: Toxic to dogs. Symptoms of accidental ingestion include weakness, vomiting, and elevated body temperature.
Alcohol, raw dough: Alcohol poisoning; raw dough ferments and expands in the stomach. Symptoms of accidental ingestion in dogs include ataxia, central nervous system depression, and bloating.
Moldy food: That fuzzy, forgotten leftovers will never make it onto your plate, nor would you feed them to your dog—but that doesn't mean your dog won't try it on its own. Depending on the type of mold, it can cause tremors and seizures in dogs.
2. Common Plants:
Lilies (highly toxic to cats; caution advised for dogs): May cause kidney damage.
Tulips, daffodils: Bulbs are the most toxic. Symptoms of accidental ingestion in dogs include excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, convulsions and arrhythmia.
Azalea: The entire plant is toxic. Symptoms of accidental ingestion in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness; severe cases may lead to heart failure.
Aloe vera, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, etc.: Contain multiple toxins. Symptoms of accidental ingestion in dogs include gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Home Goods:
Human medications (such as ibuprofen, cold remedies, antidepressants): Improper dosages or ingredients can be toxic to dogs. Never administer medication to your dog without veterinary guidance.
Recreational Drugs:Marijuana and THC-infused foods (such as gummies or brownies) along with nicotine sources (like cigarettes and e-cigarettes) are among the most common recreational drugs toxic to dogs. They can cause vomiting or urinary incontinence. Your pet may also experience disorientation, a slow heart rate, or neurological symptoms such as tremors, seizures, or coma.
Cleaning agents, antifreeze, insecticides: Chemical poisoning. These products typically contain ingredients or chemicals that can cause internal burns or poisoning if ingested.
Substandard pet grooming products: Improper pH levels or excessive microbial content can irritate the skin. This leads to itching, dryness, and allergies in dogs, and may even cause skin diseases.
Batteries and paint: Useful to humans, but toxic to dogs. Even small, non-toxic objects can pose a choking hazard to dogs.
What should I do if my dog accidentally ingests something harmful?
If you suspect or confirm that your dog has ingested any of the above items, remain calm and act immediately:
1. Contact your veterinarian immediately: Inform the doctor right away about the type of ingested item, approximate amount consumed, time of ingestion, and your dog's weight.
2. Do not induce vomiting without guidance: Do not attempt to make your dog vomit unless under professional veterinary instruction. Inducing vomiting with certain corrosive or sharp objects can cause secondary injury.
3. Preserve evidence: If possible, bring the packaging or any remaining residue of the ingested item to the hospital. This will help the veterinarian quickly assess its toxicity.
Daily Prevention Recommendations
The best treatment is always prevention. You need to:
Store items securely: Keep all medications, chemicals, and foods harmful to humans in cabinets or drawers your dog absolutely cannot open.
Check plants: Before bringing new plants home, confirm they are safe for pets.
Use specialized products: Choose dog-specific grooming products with a neutral pH and safe ingredients.
Strengthen training: Teach commands like “drop it” and “leave it” to prevent scavenging outdoors.
Ultimately, ensuring your dog's safety hinges on your vigilance. Maintain a secure home environment and commit emergency procedures to memory.
