Is Purina toxic to dogs

Harmful Substances and Toxic Foods for Dogs

There are many common foods that dogs cant eat and non-food substances, including plants, which are potentially poisonous. Some of these youll know, while others might come as a surprise.

Many foods, medicines and plants which are safe for humans, can be toxic to our pets. In fact, some common household items can be life-threatening for dogs.

Weve put together this comprehensive guide so you can learn about poisonous foods for dogs, which plants to avoid and what chemicals to always keep out of reach of your four-legged friend. Some of the items on this list may surprise you!

What foods can'tdogs eat?

We all love to treat our pups to the occasional treat! While some human foods can be offered in moderation, others should be avoided entirely. When it comes to foods dogs cant eat, many of the most common items in the fridge or cupboard are out of bounds for our pets, including grapes, garlic or onions.

Although there are also many fruits and vegetables which are fine for dogs to eat in small quantities, these can pose a choking hazard if they're not cut into small pieces and fed under supervision.

Top toxic foods for dogs

The following foods should be avoided, and can be very toxic, even in small amounts:

Raisins and sultanas

Raisins are highly toxic to dogs and should be kept out of their reach. Some of the most common signs that might point to a toxic reaction are vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy. Its important to seek medical help immediately as raisins can lead to kidney failure when ingested by dogs, a condition which can be fatal.

Grapes

Grapes are toxic to dogs, so you should avoid offering them or their dried version (raisins) to your pet. If you suspect your dog helped themselves to a few grapes, let your vet know straight away so they can provide the vital support needed to get the fruit out of their system. Find out more with our article about dogs and grapes.

Onions

Onion poisoning can be fatal to dogs which is why theyre one of the most dangerous foods a canine can come into contact with. Theyre often found in many human foods, so make sure you read the label before offering your pet a bite of your meal or snack. Find out more about why dogs cant eat onions with our easy guide.

Garlic

Another toxic food to dogs is garlic. This is because it contains a substance that causes damage to the red blood cells when ingested by our canine friends. So, its important to avoid feeding it to your dog. If you suspect they helped themselves to food containing garlic, look out for signs of weakness, vomiting or panting and contact the vet straight away. Were discussing why is garlictoxic for dogs in more detail in our handy article.

Can Dogs Eat Garlic?

Garlic and its tasty smell can be very tempting for some of our four-legged friends. Whether they rush into the kitchen to see whats cooking, or stare into your soul as you sit down for dinner, dogs have plenty of tricks up their sleeve to get a bite of whatever garlicky feast everyone in the family is enjoying. But should loving pet owners give in and offer dogs that much-coveted bite? Keep reading to find out why garlic is bad for dogs.

Can dogs eat garlic?

No, dogs should not eat garlic as it is toxic. This is one of the reasons it is safest not to give your dog human food leftovers from your dinner, as many meals contain garlic in some form.

Why is garlic bad for dogs?

Garlic is poisonous to dogs due to a compound called thiosulfate. Thiosulfate is not toxic to humans, but in dogs it causes damage to their red blood cells which are responsible for carrying oxygen around the body.

When the red blood cells are damaged, less oxygen will reach your dogs tissues, so they may appear weak and lethargic. Dogs that consume too much garlic can also end up suffering from gastrointestinal issues, which is another reason to keep the garlic cloves out of their reach.

What are the signs of garlic poisoning in dogs?

If you suspect your dog has got their paws on some garlic you should contact your vet for advice. Here are some of the signs of garlic toxicity:

• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Drooling
• Panting
• Weakness

However, keep in mind that the symptoms of garlic poisoning may take a while before they become obvious. If you think your dog has had too much garlic but they seem their usual self, it can take a few days before the symptoms appear, and it is better not to delay contacting the vet.

Can dogs eat garlic bread?

No, dogs should not eat garlic bread. Even the small amounts of garlic found in bread can be harmful for your pup. Plus, garlic bread can also too much oil, butter and salt for a pet. Find out more about when dogs can eat bread with our quick guide.

If garlic is poisonous to dogs, why do some experts still recommend it?

Unfortunately, there is often mixed messaging, especially online. If youve heard about the benefits of garlic for dogs, you may be wondering how can garlic be both beneficial and toxic at the same time.

The answer is that the quantity of garlic your dog consumes may affect their risk of suffering the consequences of a toxic reaction. In theory, this means that a very small quantity of garlic may not harm your dog, and some people think the nutrients can be beneficial. However, it is very difficult to know what a safe quantity of garlic is, and as this is likely to vary between individuals, it is not worth the risk. Your pet will also be gaining all of the vitamins and minerals they need from a complete, balanced pet food which does not require supplementing.

Find out more about what a balanced diet means for dogs and, if in doubt, check out our list of harmful foods for dogs. Read the next article on 'Can Dogs Eat Celery?'.

Are Bluebells Poisonous to Dogs?

Which type of bluebells are poisonous to dogs?

All bluebell varieties, including native, Spanish and hybrid bluebells, are considered toxic for dogs. Although bluebells are usually blue, you might come across a range of other colours such as white, pink and even grey bluebells. These plants are also poisonous to dogs and you shouldnt allow your pet to sniff them, as irresistible as these breath-taking flowers might be.

Signs of bluebell poisoning in dogs

If you suspect your dog has gotten too close to bluebells on the daily walk, monitor them closely in the next few hours in case any unusual signs show up. The most common symptoms of bluebell poisoning include:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Drooling
• Trembling
• Reduced heart rate
• Lethargy

Even skin irritation can be a side effect if your dog has mingled with the flowers, so look out for any abnormal rashes too. For more information on skin allergies in dogs, check out our easy guide.

If you notice any of these symptoms, dont hesitate to call your vet.

Can Dogs Eat Onions?

Can dogs eat cooked onions?

No, dogs cant eat cooked onions. Cooking and frying them doesnt have an impact on how poisonous they are.

Symptoms of onion toxicity

If your dogs eaten onions, they could show signs of illness within a day, but sometimes it takes several days for the signs of anaemia to become apparent. The following symptoms can develop:

• Decreased appetite
• Pale gums
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Red tinge to the urine
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• Elevated heart rate
• Panting

If you notice your dog displaying any of the symptoms listed above, take them to the vet straight away for diagnosis and treatment. A speedy response can make a world of difference.

What do I do if my dog has eaten onions?

If you suspect that your dog has eaten onion, then you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Do not try to treat your dog at home, or wait for the symptoms to worsen before taking action.

Try to determine how much onion your dog has consumed so that you can give your vet a good idea of how severe the situation is.

How are dogs treated for onion toxicity?

The treatment for onion toxicity depends on how much onion your dog has eaten and when they had it. If you discover that your dog has eaten onion and you manage to get them to the vet soon enough, the vet may be able to induce vomiting to get the onion out of your dogs system before it can be digested. However, this only works as a preventative measure if you can take action quickly enough.

If your dog develops symptoms of onion toxicity, they will need supportive treatment. In extreme cases where the dog is in critical condition, a blood transfusion may be necessary.

If your dogs red blood cells have been severely affected, your vet will also provide ongoing care to help return them to their normal happy and healthy selves.

Preventing onion toxicity

Always keep onions out of reach of your dog as these vegetables can be extremely dangerous if ingested. Also, be sure to check the ingredients before offering any human foods to your dog as a lot of ready-made soups and sauces contain onions. Better yet, avoid human foods entirely and only feed your dog foods and treats specially created for dogs.

Toxic Foods for Dogs and Cats

ChocolateVomiting,diarrhea, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures

Xylitol

(natural sweetener found in certain sugar-free gums, candies, baked goods, toothpastes)

Low blood sugar (glucose), liver failureCoffee, tea and other caffeinated drinksHyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, fast heart rate, rapid breathing, tremors, abnormal heart rhythmRaw or cooked onions, garlic, leeks, chives (Allium spp.)*Lower-than-normal number of red blood cells due to cell damage and breakdown, digestive upset, increased heart rate, increased breathing rateGrapes, raisins, Zante currants(Vitisspp.)Digestive upset, loss of appetite for food, sudden kidney failureMacadamia nutsHind limb weakness, vomiting, poor balance or coordination, tremors, increased body temperature, joint stiffnessAlcohol (ethanol)Depression or lethargy, incoordination, vomiting, decreased breathing rate, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, low body temperatureRaw yeast-containing doughLethargy, incoordination, vomiting, decreased breathing rate, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, low body temperature, bloating with possible stomach twisting, seizures, respiratory failure

Moldy foods

(some molds produce toxins known as mycotoxins)

Vomiting, agitation, incoordination, tremors, seizures, elevated body temperature

Harmful Substances and Foods for Dogs

There are many common foods that dogs cant eat and non-food substances, including plants, which are potentially poisonous. Some of these youll know, while others might come as a surprise.

Many foods, medicines and plants which are safe for humans, can be toxic to our pets. In fact, some common household items can be life-threatening for dogs.

Weve put together this comprehensive guide so you can learn about poisonous foods for dogs, which plants to avoid and what chemicals to always keep out of reach of your four-legged friend. Some of the items on this list may surprise you!

What foods can'tdogs eat?

We all love to treat our pups to the occasional treat! While some human foods are fine in moderation, others should be avoided entirely. Harmful foods for dogs include:

Certain fruits and vegetables

Many fruits and vegetables are fine for dogs to eat in small quantities, butcan pose a choking hazard if they're notcut into small piecesand fed under supervision. However, the following foods should be avoided, and can be very toxic, even in small amounts:

• Raisins.
• Sultanas.
• Grapes.
• Onions.
• Garlic.
• Some kinds of wild mushrooms.

Other plants that can cause toxicity in dogs when eaten in largequantitiesinclude:

• Rhubarb (mainly leaves).
• Potato leaves and stems.
• Tomato leaves and stems.
• Apple seeds, Cherry pits, Apricot pits, Peach pits, present a small risk only but can cause obstructions in the digestive system.