Stuff That's Poisonous to Dogs

Unexpectedly toxic items which could poison your dog includes common food items, medications and vitamins, flowers and plants, cleaning products and other items that you probably wouldn't think twice about - unless you were aware of their dangers.

Puppies in particular are notorious for getting into things they shouldn't, and they tend to operate on the assumption that everything is edible until proven otherwise.

If your little guy thinks it's perfectly okay to eat that cardboard box, he won't think twice about snacking on anything that you leave lying around!

So, keep Fido safe by making sure he never gets a chance to eat (or drink) any of the dog poisonous items on this page.

Use these on-page links to jump directly to the category you're most interested in or simply scroll through to see the full article.

• Food, drinks, medications & more
• Household products 
• Plants, trees & shrubs
• Dog Poisoning protocol & actions

Foods Poisonous to Dogs

Dogs can sometimes act as though they're four-legged trash cans, happy to eat leftovers, scraps, tidbits and anything anyone cares to toss their way.

Unfortunately for Fido he doesn't know that some foods that his human family enjoys are toxic to him. Even more dangerous is that many times we humans are also totally unaware of the doggie danger lurking on our plates or in our pockets.

Apples (including Crabapples)

Although the regular flesh of apples isn't considered dangerous, the leaves/stems/pips or seeds of apples and apple trees are all toxic to dogs.

When ingested chemicals in them are converted to Cyanide, a very dangerous poison.

In Fall, the chemicals in the leaves/stems/seeds is in it's most concentrated form, making fallen leaves even more deadly.

Symptoms of poisoning from apples/crabapples can include:

• Panting
• Difficulty breathing
• Red gums, tongue, lips
• Dilated pupils

Avocados

Avocados contain a toxin called Persin which can cause:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Intestinal problems

The Avocado pits are also a danger in terms of:

• Choking
• Intestinal or bowel obstruction

Candy & Gum

Chocolate

Chocolate contains large amounts of natural stimulants called Methylxantines.

The darker the chocolate the higher the concentration of these compounds and the more danger to your dog.

Even white chocolate can cause problems.

Cocoa powder has similar dangers and cocoa beans are extremely toxic.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs include:

• Nervousness
• Extreme panting
• Seizures
• Death

It's important to be especially careful during holidays such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas, when lots of chocolate and candy is in your home.

You can learn more about what happens when a dog eats chocolate and what to do to keep him safe on my Help - My Dog Ate Chocolate! page.

Citrus Fruit

The peel, pith and seeds of citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes.) can cause  irritation to your dog's digestive system, especially if eaten in large quantities.

Grapefruit has the potential to actually be toxic to your dog.

The peel, pith and seeds of grapefruit are the most dangerous as they contain chemical compounds which can cause:

• Lethargy
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Photo-sensitivity (light sensitivity)
• Drooling
• Trembling
• Death

If your dog ingests grapefruit have him examined by a veterinarian right away so that you can make sure that he is safe.

Grapes & Raisins

These can be dangerous to your dog and cause a bad reaction if ingested.

Symptoms of toxicity can include:

• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Renal (kidney) failure

Mushrooms

Mushrooms can be poisonous to dogs.

Mushrooms contain toxic compounds which can cause serious problems such as:

• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Death

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are surprisingly toxic to dogs.

They can cause temporarily paralysis - which is obviously very dangerous.

Moldy Food

Food which has turned moldy or rotten is toxic and dangerous for dogs, just as it is for humans and other animals.

It is NOT safe to feed dogs food which has 'gone off' or is moldy/turning bad.

The fungi in mold cause a specific type of food poisoning called Mycotoxicosis which can cause serious, and potentially deadly, symptoms including:

• Panting
• Shaking
• Hyperactivity
• Increased heart rate
• Fever
• Loss of co-ordination
• Seizures
• Vomiting

Onions & Garlic

Onions and garlic contain a toxin called Thiosulphate.

Symptoms of dog poisoning from onions or garlic usually begin as:

• Digestive system upset (diarrhea and/or vomiting)
• General fatigue and weakness

Thiosulphate affects the red blood cells in your pup's body.

Within a few days symptoms could progress to include:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Death

Garlic is more dangerous than onions, approximately 3 - 6 times more dangerous.

Toxicity levels for onions is 0.5% of a dogs body-weight, or approx 15/30mg per kg of body weight. For garlic it is 5mg per kg of body-weight.

In general it's best to just avoid giving you dog ANY amount of onions or garlic.

Peanut Butter

Yes, you read that right... peanut butter!  

BUT not all peanut butter, just some of them.

This is a new development because recently SOME manufacturers have started adding Xylitol (see above) to their recipes.

So, always check the ingredient list on your jar of peanut butter closely if your pet is going to be sharing your peanut butter.

Recently, Xylitol is being shown on ingredient labels as 'Birch Sugar'... regardless of it's name, it's the same, highly toxic product.

Uncooked Yeast Dough

Alcohol

Iron Tablets, Vitamins, Medications 

Iron tablets, and vitamins which include Iron (including pre-natal vitamins) can cause serious problems for dogs, potentially even fatal ones.

Initial signs of toxicity include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Although symptoms may seem to improve, within 12 to 24 hours your dog could relapse and experience:

• Shock (signs incl. weakness, lethargy, low BP, difficulty breathing)
• Depression
• Seizures
• Liver damage
• Kidney failure
  
  

Other common people medications and medical preparations can be poisonous to dogs.

Oral medications toxic to dogs include:

• Pain killers such as Ibuprofen and Aleve (Naproxen)
• 'PM' formulas of medications
• Adderall
• Cold medications
• Cough medicines
• Anti-depressants
• Sedatives
• Anti-cancer drugs
• Diet pills
• Decongestants

Topical creams and ointments, nasal sprays, certain eye-drops and so on are also potentially poisonous to dogs.

Nicotine 

Cigarettes, E-cigarettes, nicotine patches and nicotine gum are all highly toxic to dogs and can kill Fido very quickly.

Symptoms (or even death) can occur in as little as one hour!

Signs of nicotine poisoning include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abnormal heart rate (high)
• Drooling
• Trembling
• Lethargy
• Muscle weakness
• Shallow or slow breathing
• Collapse
• Death

If treated quickly a dog can often be saved or the damage reversed, but there is NO TIME to wait and see.

If you think Fido may have ingested nicotine in ANY form, get him to your vet or an emergency vet immediately.

Cleaning Products

The average home contains a variety of different cleaning products, some of which can cause real problems if ingested by your puppy or dog.

If your dog eats/licks up any of the following products it's important to call a Poison Hotline (click here for number) or a veterinarian IMMEDIATELY (call a 24 hour pet hospital if it's after hours) and follow their advice.

• Bleach (and any products containing bleach)
• Floor cleaners (incl. Mr Clean and PineSol)
• Drain cleaners/de-cloggers
• Toilet cleaners (tablets and liquid)
• Bathroom cleaners (incl. Scrubbing Bubbles)
• Lime/rust removal products
• Oven cleaners
• Laundry detergents and dryer sheets
• Dishwasher tablets or powder

 The symptoms your dog might experience from poisoning by these types of products vary depending upon the individual chemicals they contain. 

Symptoms of dog poisoning MAY include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive drooling
• Ulceration of mucus membranes/esophagus/gut
• Internal bleeding
• Kidney failure
• Intestinal blockage
• Seizures
• Collapse
• Death
  

Outdoor Treatments/Products

Chemicals used for swimming pools, lawn and plant care, pest control and automotive repair or maintenance products are all extremely dangerous and poisonous to dogs.

These include:

• Rat/mouse poison or bait
• Insect poison or bait (ants/slugs/flies/cockroaches)
• Insect repellant
• Fertilizers and weed control products
• Plant food
• Chlorine and other pool chemicals/tablets
• Anti-freeze, coolant, car cleaning products
• De-icer for cars and pathways
• Cocoa mulch 

Other Stuff Poisonous to Dogs

Then there are the random everyday items that can harm our dogs.

These include:

• Batteries (extremely corrosive and dangerous)
• Lead paint (older homes/toys/furniture can still contain this)
• Heavy metals in coins and other metal items
• Flea and tick medications (when not given/applied properly)
  
  

Plants Which Are Poisonous to Dogs

Many plants are toxic to dogs, effects can range from mild topical irritation to skin and/or mucus membranes (mouth, tongue, eyes etc.) to serious, potentially deadly, reactions.

Just one, or multiple, parts of a plant or tree can be dangerous, including bulbs, flowers, seeds, bark, stems and more.

Plants which can cause serious injury or even be fatal if ingested by your dog include:

Plants which can cause vomiting & diarrhea in dogs include:

Some trees/bushes (and their berries/fruit, or part of it) are poisonous to dogs. The most dangerous include:

With a lot of the above poisonous foods and toxins it doesn't take very much to make your dog seriously ill.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS SEEK VETERINARY ADVICE if you even just think your puppy or dog has ingested dangerous or poisonous foods. Every minute counts in these situations!

If your pet has only ingested a small amount of one of these poisonous foods and is experiencing some vomiting, diarrhea or other fairly mild symptoms, you may be inclined to think that everything is okay.

BUT you should always get veterinary help, or check with your local poison control center, because the real damage may not show up right away.

In some cases symptoms gradually worsen over a period of hours, or even days, and if you 'wait and see' it could be too late for your precious puppy by the time you seek help.