There seems to be a considerable amount of misinformation on the internet about which foods a dog can or cannot eat. Some websites say pistachios are deadly poisonous whilst others say they are full of canine micronutrients. So what can Fido actually eat? In this article, we try and sift through the internet detritus and find out what facts you need to know about your furry friend.

Firstly, it is important to note that canines consistently top the table of the species that get poisoned the most at 76.5% of all cases this is then followed by our feline friends at 13.1%¹. Dog breeds most at risk include:

• Labradors and Labrador mixes
• Golden Retrievers
• Chihuahuas
• Yorkshire Terriers
• Shih Tzus
• German Shepherds
• Beagles
• Miniature Dachshunds

So if you own a dog, especially one of the above, you should know what you need to look out for. And it is not only just human foods in the household that can cause death. The main cause of dog poisoning is therapeutic drugs intended for humans² – the top three of which were Acetaminophen (paracetamol), ibuprofen and Vitamin D. Other dog-poisonous household goods include:

• Insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides most common of which include permethrin, S-methoprene and abamectin.
• Veterinary medications such as flea control spot-ons.
• Household toxicants like bleach and cleaning supplies,
• Household plants – the top three include lilies, ivy and hydrangeas.
• Lastly, human food…

So food meant for humans is actually the fifth most likely culprit of canine poisoning. Initially in this article, we were going to make a list of the 10 ten foods however, in truth, many foods which humans eat are also safe for dogs. Nonetheless, the top 5 foods to look out for include¹’²’³:

1. Methylxanthines (chocolate, coffee and caffeine) – items most commonly involved in food poisoning in pets, causing anything from mild problems such as tummy aches to seizures and death. It is said as chocolate especially contains theobromine and caffeine which can alter cellular processes and result in the stimulation of both the central nervous system and heart muscles.
2. Xylitol (sugar substitute) – often found in sugar-free gum, dental care products, candy, bread and other baked goods. In dogs, xylitol stimulates the release of the hormone insulin, leading to a dangerous decrease in blood sugar levels.
3. Onions, chives, garlic and leeks (the allium genus) contain compounds called organosulfoxides. When dogs chew the plant, organosulfoxides are converted into a complex mixture of sulfur compounds which causes oxidative hemolysis characterized by the development of methemoglobinemia and Heinz body formation in the erythrocytes. Dog breeds most susceptible to this include Akita, Shiba, and Jindo⁴.
4. Grapes (Vitis vinifera) and their dried products (raisins, sultanas and currants, fruit cake, mince pies, malt loaf, snack bars, scones,) – have been reported to cause kidney failure in dogs.
5. Alcohol – ingested rotten apples, sloe berries, uncooked dough, paint and varnish, medication, perfume, mouthwash and certain types of antifreeze and thermometers

This list of potentially “poisonous” foods is not exhaustive, almost anything can be poisonous in the right amounts, just look at LD50 data! Other foods of note include:

• Dairy products can upset your dog’s digestive system and cause diarrhoea as well as food allergies.
• Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, paralysis and lack of coordination.
• Avocados contain persin, which can cause mild stomach upset in dogs.
• Bones in meat, chicken and fish can also be very hazardous to your dog as they can splinter and stick in the throat or intestines.

References

1. An Overview of Trends in Animal Poisoning Cases in the United States: 2002–2010. Mary Kay McLean, MS*, Steven R. Hansen, DVM, MS, MBA. Published in 2012.
2. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases. On-line version ISSN 1678-9199. J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis vol.17 no.1 Botucatu 2011. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992011000100002 J Med Toxicol. 2013 Jun; 9(2): 207–211.
3. Dog and Cat Exposures to Hazardous Substances Reported to the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: 2009–2012. Published online 2013 Feb 5. doi: 10.1007/s13181-013-0289-8. PMCID: PMC3657027. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3657027/
4. Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats. Cristina Cortinovis and Francesca Caloni, published 22 March 2016. Accessed on 24th May 2020 via https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4801869/