Whether it’s winter (with Christmas dangers lurking – find out how to celebrate Christmas safely with your dog) or summer – dogs’ noses sniff out edibles everywhere. It can happen quickly: your loyal companion has consumed something that doesn’t sit well with them. In this guide, you’ll learn what a dog’s stomach can’t tolerate, how to recognize poisoning, and what to do in case of an emergency. We spoke to veterinarian Dr. Sabrautzki for insights.
Numerous food traps lurk at home
Especially at home, many food traps await your dog. Chips, chocolate, barbecue steak bones? What tastes good to us humans can often have fatal consequences for dogs. And not everyone in the family is always aware of this. “Children who secretly feed the dog under the table or Grandma, who occasionally gives the dog chocolate – all of these are not exceptions,” says Dr. Sabrautzki. “It’s not just about educating the dog but, above all, the people around. Sometimes the only solution is to stop bringing the dog to relatives if they are unteachable.”
Consumed quantity usually makes the difference
Of course, good dog training is the first and foremost priority. Dr. Sabrautzki: “A dog that doesn’t steal and doesn’t pick up anything along the way can’t poison itself.” Meanwhile, various pieces of information circulate on the internet about foods that dogs should never eat. This often causes great concern among owners, and we veterinarians are regularly confronted with questions about this or that food that has surfaced in new discussion forums.
It’s important to know that many foods can have toxic effects, even for us humans or, especially, children. But always depending on the consumed quantity and also considering any pre-existing conditions of the dog. For example, just ten grams of chocolate are enough to cause severe poisoning symptoms in a ten-kilogram dog. For a Great Dane weighing up to 90 kilograms, ten grams are less problematic. Furthermore, one must distinguish between toxicity and harmfulness, i.e., the risk of organ damage after frequent consumption.
These symptoms are most common in poisoning cases:
- (Bloody) diarrhea and vomiting
- Trembling and seizures
- Fever, low body temperature
- Abnormal behavior such as weakness or fits of rage
- Excessive salivation
- Pinpoint bleeding on the mucous membranes
Tips to reduce poisoning risk at home
You can do several things at home to minimize the poisoning risk for your dog:
- Don’t leave food unattended within reach: We often don’t pay attention to the obvious. Partially eaten chocolate bars are on the nightstand, the half-empty bag of chips is still in the living room, or the plate with lunch leftovers is on the sideboard. One moment of inattention, and your four-legged friend has their nose in it. Nothing is safe, especially for very greedy breeds like Labradors. Depending on your dog’s size, they can reach surprisingly many places. The stolen food doesn’t necessarily have to be something poisonous. Still, you shouldn’t take the risk – and not let your dog get away with stealing.
- Ensure safe storage spaces: Dogs are creative when it comes to eating. They might open a cabinet or drawer all by themselves. Therefore, make sure you store food so that your four-legged friend can’t help themselves. Either store food on shelves out of your furry friend’s reach or ensure that drawers & co. are not easily opened.
- Keep medications and pollutants out of reach: Medications, pesticides, insecticides, lead-containing substances, paint, varnish, and cleaning agents can lead to poisoning if ingested. Although these are not food items, curious dogs like to sniff around and lick objects. Especially if your puppy or new dog has just moved in, they explore everything thoroughly. If you have recently treated your garden with fertilizer or similar substances, wait until everything is completely dry before allowing your dog back to the treated area.
- Check which plants are growing at your place: Some plants are toxic to dogs, including monkshood and deadly nightshade. Therefore, check which varieties are growing in your garden or on your balcony. While dogs rarely eat plants, you still don’t want to expose your four-legged friend to potential poisoning. If you find something undesirable for the dog growing, consider whether you can remove it or how to keep the dog away from those plants.
Be cautious during walks
Although many dog owners sometimes feed their dogs incompatible foods like chips, spicy bread, or grilled items, most severe poisonings occur outside. Dr. Sabrautzki: “Owners must keep a close eye on their dogs while walking, especially if they are not on a leash and the training in this regard hasn’t worked well yet. The keen dog noses can sniff out edibles even in the farthest corner and deepest hole – or anything that just smells like it could be eaten.”
Emergency plan:
- Phone hotline: Does your vet or a nearby clinic offer an emergency hotline? Save the number in your phone, so you always have it with you and can react quickly in case of an emergency without having to search for it.
- Veterinarian or animal clinic: “If your dog suddenly trembles, vomits heavily, or loses balance, everything indicates highly toxic substances. In such cases, take a small part of the vomit with you and immediately seek the vet’s advice,” advises Dr. Sabrautzki.
Training guide
If your dog repeatedly eats things at the roadside that are harmful to them, there are specific training tricks.
- If the word “No” or “Bad” doesn’t work, and the dog simply ignores you, you need to find a new word and practice it intensively. Good training, a leash, or a muzzle may be necessary.
- Practice “Trading”: Your four-legged friend gives up what it has in its mouth and, in return, gets a particularly tasty dog treat. If it works at home, practice it outdoors too.
- Practice “Avoidance behavior”: Hold a treat in your closed hand and present it to the dog. It works on it, licks, and scratches. Always say “No” until the dog eventually gives up. When the frustrated dog gives up, reward it with something it really likes and praise it. Note: This technique should first be practiced with a trainer because it can be emotionally exhausting for the owner. It can take up to 20 minutes or longer for the dog to give up. From here, the dog starts responding better to your “No.”
Overview: Dangers from the Kitchen
Alfalfa Sprouts
Sprouts are suspected of influencing estrogen levels because, like many other plants, they have a relatively high estrogen content. However, alfalfa green meal can also be used in small doses as a dietary supplement.
Symptoms: In very high intake, blood clotting could be disrupted, so caution is advised for dogs with existing clotting issues, chronic infections, or heart and kidney diseases.
Alcohol
It’s self-evident not to give alcohol to animals. However, many plant-based or homeopathic drops contain high-proof alcohol as a solvent. Therefore, be cautious with self-treatment using these remedies!
Symptoms: Acute vomiting, difficulty breathing, seizures
Danger: Chronic liver and kidney damage
Avocados
Apart from the fact that dogs can choke on avocado pits, the flesh is generally indigestible for them. However, the harmfulness of avocados for dogs is still debated among veterinarians.
Symptoms: Rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, water belly
Bones
Whether cooked or raw, dogs should never get poultry bones between their teeth. The reason: Thin bones can splinter and get stuck in your dog’s throat. Frequent feeding of bones also leads to constipation (“bone feces”).
Danger: Injury to the oral cavity or digestive tract, especially with marrow bones: getting stuck on the teeth or in the throat, choking, intestinal obstruction
Macadamia Nuts, Walnuts
These types of nuts contain relatively high phosphorus and are generally too fatty for dogs. The nuts are especially unsuitable for dogs with kidney diseases.
Danger: Deterioration of the condition in sick dogs
Milk
Like some people, dogs do not tolerate lactose. Therefore, cheese and milk, in larger quantities, are not suitable for dog stomachs.
Symptoms: Bloating, diarrhea
Stone Fruit
There is a significant risk of swallowing sharp-edged fruit pits (such as apricots and plums), leading to injury to the intestinal mucosa. In larger quantities, the pits can cause intestinal obstruction. For small dog breeds, a core may be enough for this! If the fruit pits are chewed, cyanide is released from the germ. It is toxic not only to humans but also to dogs. Acute poisoning is possible in large quantities.
Symptoms: Severe vomiting with diarrhea, cramps, difficulty breathing, neurological symptoms
Danger: Intestinal injury, intestinal obstruction, acute poisoning
Raw Beans
Only when cooked can beans be well-digested by a dog’s stomach. In their raw state, beans contain the poison phytohaemagglutinin, which clots red blood cells.
Symptoms: Abdominal cramps, fever, liver swelling
Raw Pork
Pork can contain the potentially deadly Aujeszky virus for dogs. Once infected, your dog cannot be saved. However, the risk of infection through normal domestic pork is now low. It is different for wild boar meat, which is always fatal. The symptoms of the disease resemble rabies, hence the name “Pseudorabies.” If the dog does not have a valid rabies vaccination, it must be euthanized upon suspicion of rabies.
Symptoms: Strong neurological symptoms such as ticks, seizures, foaming, change in behavior, fits of rage
Salt
Seasoned meat and salty snacks are off-limits for dogs. In larger quantities, salt can damage the heart and kidneys of the animal.
Danger: Deterioration of the condition in dogs with heart and kidney problems
Chocolate and Cocoa
The toxic substance for dogs, theobromine, which is also found in black tea and coffee (caffeine is also dangerous for dogs), has gained a bad reputation. In general, the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. It can be dangerous if a small breed dog pilfers an entire bar, especially if the aluminum foil is ingested, which can also act toxically and damage the intestinal mucosa.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, increased pulse, trembling, seizures, difficulty breathing
Bacon
Very fatty foods like bacon or chicken skin are not suitable for dogs and can cause metabolic disorders (fatty liver, diabetes). Kidneys and pancreas are also affected if a dog frequently receives too many fatty leftovers.
Symptoms: Digestive problems, metabolic disorders
Sweetener
The sugar substitute xylitol is often found in chewing gum and candies. Dogs often cannot tolerate it, and it can lead to life-threatening drops in blood sugar. Keep xylitol-containing foods out of reach of dogs. Seek veterinary advice immediately if ingested by the dog.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea
Tomatoes, Raw Eggplants, Raw Potatoes
These nightshade plants contain the toxin solanine in their raw state and should never enter the stomach of dogs (and in the case of potatoes, also not the stomachs of humans).
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, disruption of brain function in larger quantities
Grapes and Raisins
The exact toxin is oxalic acid. Consuming larger quantities of grapes and raisins can lead to fatal kidney failure in dogs of certain breeds and with a predisposition to intolerance.
Symptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, kidney failure
Onions
Raw, cooked, or dried – onions contain sulfur compounds that destroy the red blood cells of the dog.
Symptoms: Blood in urine, jaundice, blood cell changes
Overview: These Dangers Lurk Outside for Your Dog
Poisonous Plants Along the Roadside
Poisoning with plants growing along the roadside is rather uncommon. They include yew, laburnum, digitalis, angel’s trumpet, delphinium, alpenrose, or deadly nightshade. Dogs rarely eat these plants – the risk is higher for children or horses.
Symptoms: Stomach and intestinal irritation, abdominal cramps
Antifreeze
Dogs often poison themselves with antifreeze (windshield antifreeze!), which contains the substance ethylene glycol. If it is left open in the garage, for example, or spilled on the roadside, dogs will gladly lick up the sweet-tasting substance.
Symptoms: Poisoned animals usually show disturbances shortly after intake, such as trembling, seizures, and staggering, as well as vomiting and diarrhea.
Insect or Snake Bites
Often, when dogs exhibit unusual behavior, it may be due to an insect bite with an allergic reaction. Snakebites, such as those from adders, also occur occasionally and may not be immediately recognized by owners.
Symptoms: Swelling, especially on the nose, head, or paws, possibly neurological symptoms (seizures, staggering, trembling, vomiting), difficulty breathing
Rat Poison
One of the most common poisonings in dogs, especially in rural areas, is rat poison. However, baits are also set in cities, which smaller animals retrieve from designated containers. Prepared baits are sometimes intended for rats, but are deliberately placed so that dogs can find and eat them. Rat poison consists of warfarin, which is used in human patients for blood thinning. However, the animal’s condition deteriorates rapidly after ingestion.
Symptoms: Ingesting larger amounts can lead to bleeding from all mucous membranes or minor injuries. If the dog has consumed small amounts, the effects are more chronic. The dog is lethargic, tired, and the mucous membranes are pale.
Treatment: The dog must urgently see a veterinarian.
Sand, Dirt, Feces, and Carrion
A serious behavioral disorder is called pica, where the dog eats things that are essentially indigestible, such as sand or dirt. Also, eating feces, contrary to common belief, is not a deficiency but a bad habit that needs to be stopped. “This also includes eating carrion,” says the veterinarian. “It smells interesting to dogs but is not always well-tolerated because dogs are domesticated and accustomed to good nutrition.”
Sunstroke and Heat Shock
It doesn’t always have to be poisoning when a dog behaves unusually: just like humans, dogs can get heatstroke or sunstroke from too much sun. Ensure that your four-legged friend is not exposed to the sun all day in midsummer. Even with the window open, it is dangerous to leave dogs waiting in the car.
Symptoms: Coordination problems, disturbances of consciousness, seizures
Beware of Poison Baits: Important Information
Poison baits are a familiar term to every dog owner. Dog haters place treats laced with poison wherever dogs are regularly found in large numbers. These baits are mostly classic dog treats or pieces of sausage or meat. Some of these baits also contain sharp objects such as razor blades, shards, or nails, in addition to poison. If a dog has eaten such a poison bait, the first symptoms, depending on the type of poison, either occur immediately or after a few days.
The most commonly used poisons include:
- Rat Poison: Symptoms may appear a few days after ingestion. Typical signs of rat poison intake include fatigue, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and a reduced body temperature. Two to three days later, bleeding may occur on the mucous membranes and from the body openings.
- Insecticides Snail Bait: The first signs of poisoning can occur as early as 30 minutes after ingestion. These may include seizures, (bloody) vomiting, coordination disorders, and an elevated body temperature. If the poison enters the bloodstream, often only symptomatic treatment is possible.
- Narcotics: Signs are visible within a very short time. Clear indications of narcotic poisoning are staggering and loss of consciousness.
If poison baits contain sharp objects, the dog usually also bleeds from the mouth. This could be the first symptom you notice.
When you go for a walk, pay attention to where your dog is wandering and whether he is sniffing or finding something to eat in an interesting spot. This is particularly important for unleashed dogs. If you see that he is eating or licking something suspicious, remove him immediately and check what it was. If you discover such suspicious “treats,” it’s best to take a photo and put them in a bag. This can be helpful during necessary veterinary treatment. Also, you ensure that no other dog eats them as well.
There are now several warning apps and Facebook groups for different cities and regions. Here you can get the latest reports on poisoned baits and know where to be particularly cautious or which part of the city to avoid. Additionally, you can call for caution yourself.
