It's Me or the Dog

Dogs love scavenging for food, helping themselves to left-overs and sharing our sweets and biscuits, but this can be more harmful to your dog’s health than you’d think.

What to Avoid

There are a number of human foods you should never feed a dog. Most of these are common-sense no-nos, but others are less familiar. As dogs are natural scavengers, they sometimes eat positively harmful substances and give themselves a bad case of poisoning. Prevention is the only way. Dog-proof your house and garden the way you would for a baby or toddler and keep potentially lethal substances locked away, including alcohol, household chemicals and medicines.

Chocolate

Chocolate can kill dogs, especially baking or plain chocolate that contains a greater proportion of cocoa solids, but in sufficient quantities milk chocolate can also be harmful. (Incidentally, chocolate is also toxic for cats). The two chemicals that cause the damage are caffeine and theobromine, but it is the theobromine that is the more lethal. Caffeine acts on a dog in much the same way it does for humans but because dogs are smaller, the effect is exaggerated. Caffeine has a direct effect on the central nervous system and signs of overdose include extreme jumpiness and sensitivity to noise. Theobromine is found in higher concentrations in unsweetened chocolate and cocoa powder. A single ounce, or 25g, of unsweetened chocolate can kill a 10lb/4.5kg dog. In the case of milk chocolate, the lethal dose is 11oz/350g for a dog of the same size. Theobromine overstimulates the heart and can lead to seizures and coma. Signs of overdose include restlessness, thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea, irregular heartbeat, excessive urination and muscle tremors. These symptoms rarely show up immediately but generally come on a few hours after the chocolate has been eaten. If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate get him to the vet straight away – and keep your chocolate treats well out of harm’s way, and that includes chocolate cake.

Chicken Bones

Most people are away of the risk poultry bones are for dogs – except, it seems, all those thoughtless individuals who scatter the remains of their fast food all over the pavement. Poultry bones – the bones of chickens, turkeys and game – are very brittle and splintery when they’re cooked, and its easy for dogs to choke on the fragments or for sharp splinters to pierce the intestine or abdominal wall, in which case infection often follows. Lamb chop bones can also be hazardous in this respect.

Onions

Onions in any form – raw, cooked or dried – are toxic for dogs. A chemical found in onions causes a dog’s red blood cells to weaken and rupture, which in turn leads to anaemia. The more onion a dog eats, the more serious the effect. Signs of onion toxicity generally appear several days after the onion was eaten. Garlic, a natural antibiotic and some say a flea-repellent, is safe for dogs in moderation.

Raisins and grapes

An increasing number of cases have been seen of raisin and grape poisoning in dogs. From available evidence, as little as seven raisins or grapes can be toxic. If you suspect your dog has eaten raisins or grapes, get him to the vet straight away. Signs of toxicity including vomiting, food refusal, diarrhoea and lethargy. Untreated, a dog will develop acute kidney (renal) failure and die.

Sweets

Cakes, sweets and biscuits should never be fed to dogs. They contain too much refined sugar and a high proportion of fat. Keep your human treats well away from dogs. If you give your dog a small plain biscuit or a slice of buttered toast you are giving him the equivalent of a hamburger in human terms.

Cat food

Cats have different nutritional needs than dogs. They require more protein and more fat in their diets, which makes their food unsuitable for dogs (and vice versa). Feed pets separately and make sure your cat’s food is out of your dog’s reach.

Garden hazards

Gardens and parks often pose a risk for dogs. As far as plants are concerned, the danger list includes holly and mistletoe berries, yew, box and laurel leaves; rhododendron, hydrangea, columbine, lily of the valley and ivy, as well as spring flower bulbs, and sweet pea, wisteria and bluebell seeds. All of these are poisonous to dogs. Keep all pesticides, fertilisers, rat poisons and house or garden chemicals locked away.

Puddles

Dogs often make a beeline for puddles or water that has been sitting around for a long while, for example in a watering can. Don’t let your dog drink from puddles in the street. They may contain antifreeze, which has a sweet taste that appeals to dogs, but which can be fatal even in small doses.