11 Toxic Dog Foods and Their Consequences
There are several human foods that are hazardous to dogs. These include alcoholic drinks, seeds, caffeine, gum, candy, and some artificial sweeteners. More specific examples of hazardous foods include mushrooms, grapes, and raisins.
1) Mushrooms
Mushrooms are poisonous to both dogs and humans. Many fungus and molds contain toxins that are not digestive and have severe side effects. Consumable mushrooms offer several health advantages. These contain B vitamins, Vitamin A, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid (Vitamin B), and antioxidants. However, lethal mushrooms can produce hepatotoxic or neurotoxic symptoms, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems that are fatal if not addressed right once. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, dehydration, and death. Safe mushrooms include White Button, Cremini, Portobello, oyster mushrooms, Porcini, Shiitake, and Maitake and Reishi.
2. Grapes.
Grapes are hazardous to dogs owing to mold contamination, metal contamination, high amounts of vitamin D, any potential poison control procedures employed during cultivation, and nephrotoxins, which can cause severe symptoms in dogs. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, weakness, stomach discomfort, dehydration, kidney/renal failure, and death. It takes more than a few grapes to injure a dog, so consuming just one may not be a reason for fear. Many owners continue to feed grapes to their dogs on purpose since they are not immediately dangerous. This is a risky method since the conditions under which the grapes were grown are unpredictable, and certain breeds are more prone to kidney failure than others.
3. Moldy food.
Moldy food does not mean fresh cheese. Cheese is not considered healthy for a dog but is not deadly. Moldy food means food that has gone bad. Many outdated foods contain Thermogenic Mycotoxins that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress. Symptoms for dogs include vomiting, abnormal behavior, tremors, seizures, and Hyperthermia.
4. Salt
Even people are poisoned by excessive salt consumption. High salt concentrations can harm the kidneys. The symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and death. Dogs should be given some salt in their food, but not more than 200mg daily. Warning signs include "restlessness; increased heart rate, water intake, and hemoglobin concentration; dry and tacky mucous membranes."
5. Garlic and Onions.
Garlic and onions are considered moderate toxicants. Some breeds are more prone to onion poisoning than others. N-propyl disulfide is an alkaloid that causes blood damage and may lead to anemia in dogs. Other symptoms include poor breath, foul-smelling urine and feces, weakness, a rapid or slow pulse, stumbling, and a compromised immune system.
6. Raw dough.
Raw yeast or dough considered toxic to dogs due to its metabolism process. Carbon dioxide and alcohol are released as the dough forms. This has the potential to intoxicate a dog. Yeast can continue to rise even after consumption that may lead to a blockage. If caught early, feeding a dog ice water or ice may halt the rise; otherwise, it's possible abdominal surgery. Symptoms include bloating due to blockage, intoxication, abdominal pain, loss of hunger, and death if left untreated.
7. Avocados
Avocados, like grapes, do not pose an immediate risk when ingested. Certain breeds are more vulnerable than others. The fruit, leaves, seeds, and bark all have the potential to harm a dog's vascular system. Dogs with cardiac issues or a history of heart disease are at the greatest danger. The symptoms include weakness, fainting, diarrhea, vomiting, and death.
8. Macadamia nuts.
When a dog consumes macadamia nuts, it affects his neurological system. Macadamia butter, which is commonly used in cookies, is just as harmful as nuts. Symptoms may include hyperthermia, hypothermia, staggering, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty to move. The toxin in macadamia nuts that causes system failure is unclear.
9. Coffee
Coffee (and caffeine in general) is hazardous to dogs because it contains Methylated Xanthine alkaloids. It has the ability to activate the component of the neurological system responsible for the release of epinephrine or adrenaline. Caffeine can induce overstimulation in dogs, resulting in fast breathing, restlessness, increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, reduced urine, seizures, and death.
10. Chocolate.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs because it contains theobromine. Theobromine is extremely comparable to coffee and can persist in the body for up to seventeen hours. Dark and Baker's chocolate are especially harmful. If detected early, treatment consists of induced vomiting. Symptoms include convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea, and death.
11. Xylitol
Xylitol is dangerous because it can cause hypoglycemia and/or liver failure in tiny quantities. Some sweets and gum include xylitol. Many alternative sweeteners are not deemed poisonous but are nevertheless harmful to dogs. Giving a dog a sweetener alternative that is not Xylitol may make them ill.