There are a plethora of human foods that are toxic for dogs. These include alcoholic beverages, seeds, caffeine, gum, candy, and certain artificial sweeteners. More specific examples of toxic food include mushrooms, grapes, and raisins.
Mushrooms are toxic for dogs in the same way they are toxic for humans. Many fungi and molds contain poisons not digestible and with painful consequences. Consumable mushrooms have many good benefits. These include B Vitamins, Vitamin A, Potassium, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid/Vitamin B, and Antioxidants. However, deadly mushrooms can cause Hepatotoxic or Neurotoxic symptoms that cause gastrointestinal issues that could become fatal if not treated immediately. These include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, and death. Safe mushrooms include White Button, Cremini, Portobello, Oyster Mushrooms, Porcini, Shiitake, Maitake, and Reishi.
Grapes are toxic for dogs due to mold contamination, metal contamination, high levels of vitamin D, any possible poison control methods used while farming, and Nephrotoxins that can cause severe symptoms in dogs. These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, abdominal pain, dehydration, kidney/renal failure, and death. It takes more than a few grapes to harm a dog, so if a single one is consumed there may not be cause for alarm. Due to not being immediately harmful many owners still purposely feed their dogs grapes. This is a dangerous practice due to the unpredictability of what those grapes were exposed to when farmed and certain breeds being more susceptible to kidney failure than others.
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 Many outdated foods contain Thermogenic Mycotoxins that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress.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.
Too much salt is toxic even for humans. High concentrations of salt can negatively affect the kidneys. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and death. Dogs should be given some salt in their diet but it should not exceed 200mg daily. Signs of excess include “restlessness; increased heart rate, water intake, and hemoglobin concentration; dry and tacky mucous membranes.”
Garlic and Onions are considered an intermediate toxic concern. Certain breeds are more susceptible to onion poisoning than others. N-propyl disulfide is a type of alkaloid that causes blood damage and dogs may develop anemia. Other symptoms include bad breath, smelly urine and feces, weakness, fast or weak pulse, staggering, and immune system compromise.
Raw dough or yeast is 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.
Like grapes, Avocados do not present an immediate danger when consumed. Some breeds are more susceptible than others. The fruit, leaves, seed, and bark all have the potential to negatively affect a dog's vascular system. Dogs with heart conditions or a history of heart conditions are at the highest risk. Symptoms include weakness, fainting, diarrhea, vomiting, and death.
Macadamia Nuts affect a dog's nervous system when consumed. Macadamia butter often used in cookies is as dangerous as nuts. Symptoms include Hyperthermia, Hypothermia, staggering, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and inability to walk. The toxin in Macadamias that causes system failure is unknown.
Coffee (caffeine in general) is toxic for dogs due to Methylated Xanthine alkaloids. It can stimulate the part of the nervous system that releases Epinephrine/Adrenaline. In dogs, caffeine can cause an over-stimulation that can result in rapid breathing, restlessness, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, abnormal heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, decreased urination, seizures, or death.
Chocolate is toxic for dogs due to Theobromine. Theobromine is very similar to caffeine and can stay in their system for up to seventeen hours. Dark and Baker's chocolate is particularly dangerous. Treatment involves induced vomiting if caught right away. Symptoms include seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, and death.
Xylitol is toxic is due to a risk of developing hypoglycemia and/or liver failure even in small amounts. There are some candies and gum that contain Xylitol. Many substitute sweeteners are not considered toxic but are still unhealthy for a dog. Giving a dog a sweetener substitute could potentially make them sick even if it is not Xylitol.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.