There are many common toxins that can be found in and around your household. These are the foods, common plants, essential oils, and other household products that are harmful to your dog.
Essential Oils
Today, this is probably one of the most common toxins that can be found in households. These are considered natural alternatives for humans instead of using chemicals. Safe for humans does not mean safe for animals. If your favorite essential oil for use in your diffuser is not in the list below, it could be relatively safe. However, there are some rules that need to be followed.
1. NEVER use essential oils in a room that a dog cannot leave if he/she wants/needs to.
2. Make sure that your dog is never locked in a room with any sort of essential oil diffuser (dry or wet).
3. Do not apply essential oils directly on your dog or its bedding.
4. Do not spray essential oils or any air deodorizer near your dog,
The oils listed below HAVE been tested and have proven harmful to pets. These can cause nervous system issues, epilepsy, and even death. A dog does not have to ingest these to make them ill. Contact with the skin or in diffusers can be just as dangerous.
| Anise (Pimpinella anisum) | Goosefoot (Chenopodium murale) | Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) |
| Birch (Betula) | Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) | Savory (Satureja) |
| Bitter Almond (Prunus dulcis) | Hyssop (Hyssopus sp. with the exception of Decumbens) | Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) |
| Boldo (Peumus boldus) | Juniper (Juniperus sp. with the exception of Juniper Berry) | Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) |
| Calamus (Acorus calamus) | Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) | Terebinth (Pistacia palaestina) |
| Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) | Mustard (Brassica juncea) | Thuja (Thuja occidentalis) |
| Cassia (Cassia fistula) | Oregano (Origanum vulgare) | Thyme (Red and White) |
| Chenopodium (Chenopodium album) | Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) | Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) |
| Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) | Rue (Ruta graveolens) | Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) |
| Garlic (Allium sativum) | Santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus) | Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) |
Grapes and/or Raisins
The first common toxin that many do not think about are grapes and raisins. Why are grapes harmful? It has not yet been completely explained as to why grapes and raisins are harmful. Nonetheless, there is documentation concerning the harm that these items can cause. It has been confirmed that even grapes grown without fertilizers or pesticides can be toxic to dogs.
This is not the reaction for every dog, and not every time. Studies are ongoing to figure out why this is the case. It is also not known whether small amounts eaten over a long time period could have a cumulative effect.
However, it is known that it only takes as little as 5-7 grapes or raisins to cause a reaction. The end result, in nearly all reported cases of grape or raisin toxicity, is acute kidney failure. (The term “acute” means that the condition is severe and comes on quickly.) The dog ultimately cannot produce urine, which means they cannot filter toxins out of their systems — a process essential to life.
Even though YOUR dog may not have a reaction to raisins or grapes, it is not safe to “test the waters.” If your dog IS one of those that has a reaction and he/she gets a hold of grapes or raisins…you could lose your baby. It is not worth the risk. Symptoms and treatment of grape toxicity can be found on petmd.
Dark Chocolate (Any Type)
A common toxin that most people know about is dark chocolate. The actual toxins are the cocoa beans. Chocolate is made with cocoa beans and cocoa beans contain a chemical called Theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. After a pet has eaten a large quantity of chocolate, many owners assume their pet is unaffected. However, the signs of sickness may not be seen for several hours. Death is actually possible within the following twenty-four hours.
Cocoa powder and cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms.
A 22 lb dog can be seriously affected if it eats a quarter of a 250gm packet of cocoa powder or half of a 250gm block of cooking chocolate. These forms of chocolate contain ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Thus, a chocolate mud cake could be a real health risk for a small dog. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a cake can make a dog unwell.
Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate are the next most dangerous forms, with milk chocolate being the least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250gm block of milk chocolate to be affected. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the less it needs to eat.
Cocoa Mulch
This common toxin will not be found in all homes. Nonetheless, there are some people that use this mulch in their yards. For those, it is important to make sure your dog does not ingest this mulch.
Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production (which is how mulch made it into the “foods” category) and are popular as mulch for landscaping.
Homeowners like the attractive color and scent, and the fact that the mulch breaks down into organic fertilizer. However, some dogs like to eat it and it contains Theobromine.
Onions and Garlic
Another of the common toxins can be found in many homes. Onions and garlic cause sickness in dogs, cats, and also livestock. These common foods contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger. Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop hemolytic anemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body. The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion.
All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic.
Leftover pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness.
Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion. A single meal of 600 to 800 grams of raw onion can be dangerous whereas a ten-kilogram dog, fed 150 grams of onion for several days, is also likely to develop anemia. Once the dog no longer ingests onions, the condition will improve over time.
Garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness. However, garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate.
Macadamia Nuts
Dogs have been affected by eating as few as six macadamia kernels (nuts without the shell) while others had eaten approximately forty kernels. Some dogs had also been given macadamia butter. This also applies to macadamia nut cookies.
The toxic compound in macadamia nuts is unknown, but the effect of macadamia nuts is to cause motor difficulties.
Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Inability to rise, panting, and distress are common symptoms of affected dogs. Swollen limbs and pain when manipulated are less common symptoms.
Alcohol (Beverage)
It is NOT funny to get your dog intoxicated. It is best that you do not let your dog consume any alcohol. In dogs, what may seem like a small amount of alcohol can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
Fish and Poultry Bones
These bones splinter when a dog chews on them. This means that they break into small, sharp pieces. Minimally, these will cause diarrhea and possible vomiting. Pancreatitis is also a possibility. Allowing your dog to eat these bones can cause obstruction or laceration of the throat, intestines, or colon. This can be deadly or extremely expensive to surgically fix.
Large Amounts of Cat Food
Generally, cat food too high in protein and fats for a dog’s system. If a dog eats cat food too often it could cause small issues like diarrhea or vomiting. If a dog eats cat food every day, due to the extremely high protein content, it can cause liver and/or kidney failure. It is called cat food because it is for cats – NOT DOGS.
Large Amounts of Liver
Feeding your dog liver everyday can also be dangerous. Just because a piece of liver once a month can be beneficial to your dog, too much liver can be harmful. The age old adage is correct, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Too much liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones
Avocados
The Avocado contains a toxic fatty acid derivative known as persin. This derivative usually affects the heart, lungs, and liver. The pit, leaves, and skin are the most harmful to animals. However, it is safest not to feed ANY of the avocado to your dog.
Baby Foods
This is one of those common toxins that many people do not consider. If it is safe for a baby, how is it not safe for your dog? There are some baby foods that are fine for dogs such as ham, beef, and chicken. The baby food that IS NOT safe for puppies or dogs are those that contain onion powder. There are more of them than you might think. Just read the ingredients on the back of each of the baby foods to make sure that they do not contain onion powder or any of the other items on this list.
Other Common Food Toxins
| Salt | Potato Leaves | Walnuts |
| Mustard Seeds | Cherry Pits | Apricot Pits |
| Chewing Gum | Anything Containing Xylitol or Aspertame | Peach Pits |
| Potato Stems | Apple Seeds | Mushrooms |
Medications
Any medication for depression or anxiety should not be given to dogs without a veterinary prescription. Although there are drugs that are commonly used for both human and dog, the dosages are significantly different. You can
Other Common General Toxins
| Blue-green algae in ponds | Over-The-Counter Flea products |
| Citronella candles | Oleander and Other Plant Bulbs |
| Batteries | Slug/snail baits |
| Liquid potpourri | Ice melting products |
| Moth balls | Fly baits |
| Compost piles | Swimming-pool treatment supplies |
| Antifreeze | Rat and mouse bait |
| Fertilizers | Anti-depressants |
| Tylenol, Advil, Excedrin, Motrin | Sleep Aids |
| Christmas Tree Water | Lilies |
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About the Author
I have been working with animals for as long as I can remember. Throughout my teens, undergrad, and graduate school, I worked as a veterinary technician. From 2007 – 2011, I owned and ran a registered dog rescue where we worked with the dogs that needed rehabilitation before placement in a forever home. In addition, I have been breeding dogs since 1996. Through all of this, I have consistently researched to keep myself apprised of the latest information concerning canine health and care. As a college professor, I feel knowledge is beneficial and I try to share it when I can. I put my heart and soul into my small breeding program. God, my family, my pups, and my extended fur-family are what brings me happiness.
Disclaimer: A veterinarian or a certified animal nutritionist did not provide the information on this website. I am a breeder who cares for my dogs, has done thousands of hours of research, has worked in the veterinary field, and has learned from trial and error. I have chosen to share this information with you. Nevertheless, you have to make your own decisions. If you choose to follow noted recommendations, then that is your choice. Regency Ranch and/or its representatives hold no liability if results are not as expected. This information is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. If your pet has a medical problem, you should consult your veterinarian. The FDA has not endorsed or approved the information on this site. In no event shall the owners of this website be liable for any damages.