Dogs will eat almost anything – even if what they consumed is dangerous to them. Pet owners need to monitor what their pets consume.
Common household items and foods can be poisonous to dogs.
One of the most dangerous foods to dogs is chocolate. Dogs cannot metabolize chocolate properly, and even in small doses, poisoning can occur.
Monitor for dog poisoning clinical signs if you suspect they consumed chocolate.
Common Items that are Poisonous to Dogs
Many household cleaners and food items can be harmful to your pets.
Some items include:
- Rodent poison
- Alcohol beverages
- Marijuana
- Citrus
- Milk and dairy products
- Salty snack foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Onion and garlic
- Avocados
- Chicken bones
- Raw meat
Contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline® as soon as you believe your dog has eaten any hazardous materials.
Clinical Signs of Poisoning
Some clinical signs take time to occur while others can rapidly appear.
The most common clinical signs are:
- Vomiting
- Increased thirst
- Restlessness
- Excessive urine
- Drooling
- Twitching
- Seizures
Contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline® as soon as you believe your dog has eaten chocolate.
Keep in Mind
The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is!
Darker chocolates have higher concentrations of theobromine. This means baker’s chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, gourmet dark chocolate candies, and cocoa powder are more poisonous than milk or white chocolate.
Treatment for Dog Poisoning
Contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline® as soon as you believe your dog has eaten something they should not have. Veterinarians may use therapies including inducing vomiting, IV fluids and other medications to help minimize the severity of clinical signs.
