Dogs love to eat. (We know a Goldendoodle who recently snacked on half a string of plastic Christmas lights.) But there are some common human foods and ingredients they should stay away from. Here are eight of them, courtesy of Berkeley Wellness:
- Xylitol. A sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum, toothpaste, and some sweets and peanut butters. Early symptoms of xylitol ingestion include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. If you see these symptoms, call your vet immediately.
- Chocolate. Ingestion can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and even death.
- Onions, garlic, and chives. Can cause anemia; symptoms include depressed mood, rapid heartbeat, exercise intolerance, weakness, and low appetite.
- Macademia nuts. Signs of macadamia poisoning include lethargy, depressed mood, weakness, vomiting, tremors, and loss of coordination or trouble walking.
- Raw meat. Bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and E. coli are bad for dogs, too — and even if your pooch is fine, she can spread those bacteria around if she’s been eating raw meat.
- Grapes and raisins. Not all dogs react, but the result can be permanent kidney failure. In one reported case, just four or five grapes killed an 18-pound dog. If you think your dog has eaten grapes or raisins, be on the lookout for vomiting, diarrhea, or symptoms such as lethargy within 12 hours.
- Alcohol. It’s even harder on their systems than it is on ours. Also, if you grow hops, note that they can be fatal if enough are ingested.
- Bread dough. Yeast can cause a swollen abdomen, and it can ferment to cause alcohol poisoning. Your dog should avoid homemade play dough, too.
“Most of the foods we’ve listed cause stomach irritations that pass,” the Berkeley post adds. “But if your dog eats any of the riskiest foods, such as chocolate, xylitol, hops, alcohol, or bread dough, call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 (for a $49 fee). Your pet may require immediate medical attention. In addition to these foods, the ASPCA and other experts advise against feeding your dog avocado, citrus, coconut and coconut oil, dairy, undercooked eggs, other nuts (their high-fat content can cause diarrhea and vomiting), and large amounts of salt.” And of course, dogs should steer clear of the Christmas lights, too.