(This post is often updated as new info comes in. Latest update added:
July, 2014)
While reading various alerts and media sites trying to keep up with all the recent pet food recalls, I came across a lot of things that could potentially be harmful for dogs, some of which I didn’t know about. The number one cause of poisoning in dogs? Motrin, Advil, and other human medications. Besides the common poisons including antifreeze, household chemicals, mold, mothballs, misteltoe, and wild mushrooms, here’s a list of other, lesser known things that are harmful to dogs.
- Grapes and Raisins: Can cause acute renal failure in dogs.
- Polyurethane Glue: Dogs may be attracted to either the smell or taste of glue, and may try to chew on the bottles. If swallowed, the glue expands to form a mass in the stomach and may need to be surgically removed. I recently read a news article about a dog swallowing Gorilla Glue, and had to have surgery to remove the mass from his stomach.
- Macadamia nuts: Raw or roasted macadamia nuts cause painful muscle weakness, tremors, and paralysis. Dogs can be affected by eating as few as six nuts, and may also be affected by macadamia butter.
- Onions, Chives, and Garlic: Contains thiosulphate, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
- Cooked Bones: After cooking, bones become brittle and may splinter. These splinters may cause choking, or may even punture or become embedded in the intestinal tract or stomach. Some that are especially dangerous: turkey and chicken bones.
- Coffee: Any beverage containing caffeine can cause a dog’s heart to race, sometimes causing seizures.
- Xylitol: Sugarfree candies and other products containing xylitol. This ingredient is extremely harmful to dogs, with even small amounts causing liver damage and death.
- Fruits: Cherries, apricot and apple seeds, pear seeds, peach seed pits, plum seeds. These seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which causes cyanide poisoning.
- Chocolate: Cooking chocolate and cocoa powder are the most toxic, followed by dark, semi-sweet, and milk chocolate. Obviously, the toxicity rises the smaller the dog, or the larger the quantity ingested. Keep all types chocolate out of your dog’s reach.
- Corn Cobs: Can cause potentially fatal intestinal blockage.
- Tobacco: cigarettes, nicotine patches, and other tobacco products may be harmful or fatal.
- Raw Salmon: Dogs may be exposed to a parasite after eating infected salmon. The parasite causes gastrointestinal problems similar to parvo, and may be fatal. See a vet immediately if your dog has ingested raw salmon; ask for a fecal sample test for rickettsial organism. This can be treated if caught in time. You can prevent this by simply cooking all fish before feeding to your dog.
- Plants: Toxic plants include Azalea, rhododendron, lilies, foxglove, daffodils, rhubarb leaves, yew, castor bean, sago palm, kalanchoe, and tulip bulbs.
- Yeast Dough: Even a small amount can rise and cause a rupture in your dog’s stomach or intestines.
- Human Medications: Pain killers, cold meds, anti-cancer drugs, vitamins, diet pills, and anti-depressants can be toxic even in small doses. Never give your dog human medication, unless instructed to do so by your vet. See the next item on the list:
- Ibuprofen: NEVER give your dog or cat these medications! Even as few as ONE PILL can be fatal, especially to cats!
- Slug and Snail Bait: These products come in liquid, pellets, or powder form and are extremely toxic to dogs. These baits contain metaldehyde and should not be used anywhere where they may be accessible to pets.
- More: Please read the comment section of this post for more possible hazards for dogs.
Warm Weather Hazards from the ASPCA
– Animal toxins—toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions
– Blue-green algae in ponds
– Citronella candles
– Cocoa mulch
– Compost piles Fertilizers
– Flea products
– Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
– Swimming-pool treatment supplies
– Fly baits containing methomyl
– Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde
CAT OWNERS: Cats react very differently than dogs to some insecticides; because of this, some flea-control products that are safely used on dogs, particularly those containing permethrin, can be deadly to cats, even in small amounts. (info from ASPCA)
Please keep in mind, I am not an expert, just a pet owner. If you have an emergency with your pet, please call your vet.
For more information about all substances that may be harmful for your dog or other pet, see the Animal Poison Control Center website. If you suspect your dog has ingested a poisonous substance, call the Poison Control Center at 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435) immediately.
Summary of Poisonous Substances And Things To Avoid Feeding Your Pet
Plants and Trees, and which ones are harmful?
Feeding dogs “People Food”, and which foods may be harmful
Top 10 Human Medications That Can Poison Our Pets
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, many other over the counter medications) toxicity
Feeding Dogs Treats Containing Garlic
Cleaning Products (dogs, cats, and other pets)
Miscellaneous Products and Substances
Where to look to see if there are current pet food recalls
What to do if your pet is poisoned
————
Do you know other harmful substances that are not listed here? If so, please leave the information in a comment and I’ll add it to this post.
——
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hmm.. interesting. Some of this I didn’t know about. Especially the glue, I had no idea that dogs were actually attracted to it. I’m going to make sure I keep it out of the dogs reach.
CORN ON THE COB!!!!! I give that to my dog alot. . .
I know, it’s surprising, and I didn’t know either until recently. Corn cobs can be very dangerous for dogs, according to vetmedicine.about.com, and various other vet info websites, the cobs can cause intestinal obstruction, a very serious (and potentially fatal) medical condition.
I always knew about the Chocolate danger but no one ever told me about the Onion and Garlic danger. My friends Laso apso/Terrier mix dog died 2 days ago of a severe toxic reaction with Kidney failure, after he was fed some scraps from dinner last week of pasta, a TB of spaghetti sauce, 2 small pieces of Sour dough bread and a few pieces of chicken. He only lived 5 days. Its Very Sad!! I have fed my dogs food scraps mixed with hard dog food, for a very long time and had no idea that onions and garlic could ever cause a problem. NOT any more!!
Hi Jennifer,
Oh that’s terrible, I’m so sorry that happened to your friends dog! That is so very sad. I had fed my dogs pasta leftovers and other scraps as well, until I read about the onion and garlic danger (and all the other dangers). Like you, I won’t ever do it again. With all the dog food recalls, and all the danger in feeding them ‘people food’, it’s hard to know what is safe to give to them.
OMG i usually feed my dog those kind of food and i never realized that it is harmful…i am going to make sure that i keep it away from him.
Me too, Jada. I used to give my dogs all kinds of leftovers, but no more. I had no idea some of these things could be so dangerous to dogs.
Thanks again for putting all this information together. I refer to this page quite often. It’s shocking to read about the spaghetti sauce/onions. I have also given that to my dog but will not ever again!
You’re welcome Leeann. Some of the info I found really surprised me too.
Hey! I’m a new viewer and I really like your pictures that you use on your blog. I also think that’s good info.
Hi Macy, I’m glad you like the photos and also that you found something of interest here. I hope you will visit again soon! :)
good informsation to have. I have heard about raisins and onions but didnt know about some of the other stuff.
thanks Em218, some of it was very surprising to me also.
I am trying to find out if a pad for a simple corn on my toe can poison my dog. I had one on and I guess it came off. It is a little pad with a medicine pad to place in the middle of the pad directly on the corn. My dog (a pug) got really sick, Threw up 7 or 8 times, last time just clear fluid. I checked her for ticks or anything that could be the cause and I found this pad sticking on her paw. I got it off and washed her paw really good but I am still worried. No vets seem to be available. If anyone knows, Please email me tonightl.
Thanks.
Hi Jene,
I hope your dog is okay!
hey any tips on walking on the leash he has a harness but still keeps on pulling his name is jake, English bull terrier crossed with staff bull terrier
Theresa
Theresa it takes some dogs a lot of time to get used to a leash, maybe just keep on practicing. or try another kind of leash and see if he still pulls? good luck!
Try using a gentle leader!! http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9052
Hi theresa,
As Emily mentioned, sometimes it just takes time and practice to get a dog used to walking on a leash, and yes you could try another type of leash that isn’t a harness for Jake– try just a collar and a regular leash instead and that may give you a little more control. My dogs have walked on a leash for years but still pull sometimes, they are stubborn. Just keep practicing with him, and good luck. :)
Thanks for the info!..
but,my dog was cured of parvo after eating some garlic…I know not to feed dogs garlic when they are not sick,,but it did help with parvo…the vet said parvo is a 50/50.so after returning home a surfed the web looking for any helpful ideas for parvo,,Garlic was one i ran into ,,,after giving my 50 pound dog a half of a clove..she started eating and most important drinking,,several hours later!it was like a miracle cure,,,but maybe i just got lucky!
That’s great, Joshua! I’m so glad your dog recovered from parvo.
[…] snakes and scorpions … I had no idea some of these things could be so dangerous to dogs. […]
I can hardly believe this!!!! Garlic?
This is a real biggy since so many people who advicate making your own dog food and treats recommend garlic!
This is not even funny! I love my dog and I could have harmed him!
Well, does anyone have any knowledge concerning yogurt or gingersmap cookies? These are two other ingredents that have come ‘highly’ recommended.
OMG, you have no idea how much this has just freaked me out! I am so careful about what my dog eats…no table scraps at all, no house plants in his reach, etc.. But garlic had even been recommended by my daughters riding coach as an additive in homemade treats.
Could there possibly be a difference between the powdered variety and the fresh garlic?
Does anyone have a favorite dog food? I use Canidea and have been pleased…Casey’s coat looks very shiny and his energy level is high.
Hi Karen, I know, some of it is very surprising to me too. Here is a quote from an article by a veterinarian, explaining onion and garlic toxicity:
I know yogurt isn’t harmful for dogs — my vet recommended it for our dog. I’m not sure about the cookies though. ?
I had a french poodle when i was young my mom says that she was cured of parvo with hydrogen peroxide and garlic.. she is still alive and lives with my grandma.. she is now 12 years old.. i also had a yellow lab. that was put to sleep because of parvo because we noticed she was sick when it was too late.
Hi Jex, I’m glad it worked with the poodle, and so sorry about your yellow lab. I recently lost one of mine due to illness, and I know how it feels.
Thanks for your post.
-Sherry
I want to give my dog a birthday treat, I was wondering if I could give him one of those Otis Spukmeyer Blueberry Muffins? Of course his b-day is once a year and hs is a bit spoiled LOL. Blueberry’s seem to be ok. What do you think?
Hi Jamie,
I know what you mean, my dogs are spoiled rotten too! :)
About the blueberries, I don’t think they’re harmful to dogs. I’ve never heard that they were, but since I don’t know what else the muffins contain I don’t really know enough to say that they are 100% ok for dogs. Maybe someone else knows and will post?
Sherry
Does anyone know of any toxic insects that can cause problems if ingested by dogs???
Hi Angie,
I don’t know of any that are toxic if ingested, maybe someone else will post if they do.
I did find this page about insect bites and their effects on dogs:
Insect Bites on Dogs
I just found a a huge 2 inch yellow,red, black and white grasshopper in my 6 pound puppies mouth.I was able to get it away from her and put it in a plastic bottle. I researched it and found they are toxic to dogs and cats. they also spit a brown like mucus, that if the dog or cat eats it, would make them very sick or kill them.Onions and garlic are very toxic to dogs and I was very surprised to learn that pasta and pasta sauce can kill a dog.,
Thanks for adding this to the post, Joyce. I had no idea about the grasshopper being toxic, thanks for letting us know!
[…] Drugs This is interesting and i hope to find one for our British pet owners. Found some. https://terra4incognita.wordpress.com…rous-for-dogs/ I remember once racing my pup years ago to the vet when i found him with a half eaten packet of […]
is pork a danger for dogs
my dog may have it i’m worried PLEASE thankyou
P.S Please
2567, I don’t think pork would be considered toxic for dogs.
I’m Shocked!!!!
that was for http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/pets-our-lives/41254-drugs-dangerous-our-pets.html#post1068401
Hi Living Dogs,
Thanks for adding the link to the forum thread. Good info there.
Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language ;)
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo
I’m glad you found the post interesting, RaiuBaztepo. Thanks for commenting.
I know some other toxic things….. Mushrooms, raw eggs, dairy products, cherries, human vitamins containig iron, cat food, molded food, apple, pear, peach, and plum seeds, and fatty foods. SOME might already be on here!!
By the way, all these toxic things are for dogs.
Thanks for your input, Taylor. Some of those things were new to me so thank you for adding them.
my 14 lb. chiauhauha swallowed whole a cooked porked bone about the size of quater or more. what should I do. this is the 2nd day of the event. she seems fine, but……….advise??
Hi J Jamell,
I’m sure she’ll be fine, but you could always call your vet just to make sure, and to be on the safe side.
Can I give cinammon to my dog?? My brother’s dog LOVES grapes!! How are they harmful?? Anyways, can I give cinammon to my dog??
This website is SO great!!!
PLEASE REPLY!!!!!!
Hi Karen,
Grapes are very dangerous to dogs, they can cause their kidneys to fail so it’s best to never give them to dogs! I have read that even as few as one grape has caused complete kidney failure in certain dogs.
As for cinnamon, I have never heard that it is harmful to dogs, especially in small quantities. I know it is used to flavor some types of natural dog treats.
Thanks for your comments.
I just want to know about peanut butter is that harmful to dogs?
Hi Nichole,
No, peanut butter is not harmful for dogs. I feed peanut butter flavored treats to my dogs all the time.
-Sherry
Thanks for the info, I was really surprised about the grapes and carrots. I have a pug that is hard to keep under weight. for treats I started giving her fruit (grapes) and vegtables(carrots). wow will have to find an alternative
You’re welcome, Tom. Glad you found the info helpful. I know how hard it is to keep them under weight. :)
Oh my gosh, thank you SO much for posting this information!! I just got a dog about three days ago and i searched what would be harmful to her. I’m so lucky I found this site it will defiantly help me take care of her thanks so much!
You’re welcome, Camren. Glad you found the info helpful. Good luck with your new dog. :)
[…] pups have not choked or had bones splinter and require an expensive surgery, if they survive. Things That Are Dangerous For Dogs Sherry's Place Myths About Raw: Are bones safe? Petville: Raw bones or cooked bones.. are either safe? There […]
My friend just feeds his dog with boiled pasta & left over craps
The dog seems fine but looks little skinny i mean the rids are now showing?
lost few pound since not eating the dry food which he use’d to eat?(cost factor here)
Should i say somthing….as I am sure the dog needs more than just pasta ?
dont want to cause any problems as i am not the owner?
whats the best advice ?
Jon, it certainly doesn’t sound very healthy for a dog to eat only pasta and scraps. I would definitely say something like maybe the dog needs nutrients that it isn’t getting in the scraps? Or tell your friend you read about dog nutrition on the internet. Good luck.
About giving your dog an Otis Spunkmeyer muffin:
While that is a sweet idea, I agree that they might not be 100% okay for your dog. Just to stay on the safe side, there is a bakery where I live called Woof Gang Bakery and they make cupcakes and cookies and all sorts of yummy treats made especially for our furry friends! They make them look really great and dogs love them, but they’re made with 100% dog-safe ingredients. You might check them out! :)
http://www.woofgangbakery.com
Hi jennie, thanks for the info and the link.
Hi. My 70lb mix just swallowed a hummingbird. We’re worried about the long peak causing problems in Maggie’s stomach.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks.
Bob
Hi Bob,
I would think that the beak is some kind of bone material that would be digested. I’m not an expert, maybe call a vet just to make sure.
Hi. thanks for this useful information. We wrote the same topic, and putted your link on it.
If you don’t mind please visit our link and leave comment on it :
http://www.pettags4less.com/b/dangerous-to-be-consumed-from-pets/
Thanks, pettags4less. Glad you found the info helpful. Will check yours out as well.
-Sherry
[…] Things that are dangerous to dogs. […]
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thanks so much for info
My huskie actually ate the couch which is made of polyurethane foam and polyester fiber and now hes been acting really weird and out of it and hes already gotten sick but only once so far. We called the emergency vet and they said just to keep an eye on him but im still very worried! Does anyone know what to do?
Dear Sherry,
my dog drunk a left-over half drunken can of beer,
she’s a sheepdog collie, female, adult. she is not acting weird.
when do the after effects come in ?
please email me on waffleface2000@hotmail.com :)
love monika x
Hi Monika,
Sorry I didn’t see your comment until now. I’m sure your dog will be just fine.
-Sherry
Thanks sherry x :)
[…] https://terra4incognita.wordpress.com/200… […]
[…] Things That Are Dangerous For Dogs « Sherry’s PlaceMay 10, 2007 … Oh that’s terrible, I’m so sorry that happened to your friends dog! That is so very sad. I had fed my dogs pasta leftovers and other scraps as well, … […]
Are Mayflies bad for dogs? Because my dog ate some the other day.
McKenzie, I have no idea, I’m not expert, just a dog owner. Sorry I cant help.
I have a JR puppy 12 weeks old and am house training her by giving treats after a performance outside(as opposed to the carpet indoors) I was told that liver cake was very good as a home made treet. I found several recipes online and made the ‘Liver Cake’ & she loves her treats. Now after reading this I am worried.
The Recipe was 1 lb Liver; 1lb Granary Flour; 3 Eggs; 2 cloves Garlic, Oil & Milk to bind. Cooked in Microwave, cool & cut into small pieces and freeze).
I defrost enough treats for each day (do not give them frozen)
Why is this recipe online if garlic is dangerous for dogs.
Hi Pat,
I have read conflicting information about garlic, however here is a link directly from the ASPCA regarding garlic being used in dog treats:
Treats With Garlic
Hope this helps,
Sherry
Are grasshopers bad for dogs to eat?
anonymous, I wouldn’t think grasshoppers would be bad for dogs.
[…] dangerous foods list Things That Are Dangerous For Dogs Sherry's Place I found this tonight and it includes corn cobs, which one of our members is at the Emergency ER […]
Thanks for posting this. I was looking for a list of stuff to never give your dog! I had a few friends argue with me about some of these things. Now I’ll put this in front of them and see what they say!
Thanks and take care.
Dr Eddie