Pet Diet – Food That Is Toxic for Dogs

As responsible pet parents, we need to know that some foods that are safe for humans can pose a serious threat to our four-legged friends. They can lead to mild digestive problems, but also to serious poisoning and even death. This is because dogs' digestive systems are different from humans' - they do not have the right enzymes to metabolize certain substances, and their bodies react differently to nutrients. What foods are completely forbidden for dogs? Here is a list of products to avoid.

The Most Toxic Products for Dogs

Chocolate and cocoa

Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that is very harmful to dogs. Even small amounts can cause rapid heartbeat, vomiting, seizures, and in extreme cases, death. The darker the chocolate, the higher the theobromine content. It is important to know that the dose of theobromine that may be life-threatening to your dog depends on several factors, such as its weight, overall health, and sensitivity to theobromine. Approximate guidelines for theobromine toxicity are:

Small dogs: may be poisoned by theobromine by consuming 20 mg per kilogram of body weight.
Medium dogs: toxicity may occur at 20-40 mg per kg of body weight.
Big dogs: They can survive doses up to 100 mg/kg, although this may still be dangerous.

If your dog eats chocolate, it is worth checking how much theobromine a given type of chocolate contains:

Milk chocolate: about 1.5 mg of theobromine per gram of chocolate.
Dark chocolate: about 5-10 mg of theobromine per gram of chocolate.
White chocolate: contains practically no theobromine (contains mainly milk fats).

To calculate how much theobromine is safe for your dog, you can use the formula below:

Safe dose for dogs (in mg) = dog's body weight (in kg) × 20 (for dogs with lower tolerance, e.g. small dogs).

For example, if your dog weighs 10 kg, the safe dose is about 200 mg of theobromine. In the case of chocolate consumption, calculate how much theobromine is in the piece and compare it to the calculated value. If your dog consumes too much, contact your vet immediately. In many cases, it is necessary to induce vomiting, which is effective if you react quickly after ingestion.

Remember, prevention is better than cure, so always keep chocolate and other toxic products away from your dog!

Xylitol

Xylitol is a popular sugar substitute found in many "light" products, chewing gums, sweets, and some products for people with health problems (e.g. diabetics). Xylitol is very dangerous for dogs because it causes rapid insulin secretion, which leads to hypoglycemia (a drop in blood sugar levels). Symptoms of hypoglycemia include seizures, weakness, vomiting, and in extreme cases, death. Additionally, xylitol can damage a dog's liver, leading to liver failure. Even a small amount of xylitol can cause serious health consequences, so you should completely avoid giving your dog products containing xylitol.

Grapes and raisins

Although the exact mechanism of grape and raisin toxicity to dogs is not fully understood, it is known that their consumption can lead to serious health problems, including acute kidney failure. Even a small amount of these fruits can cause vomiting, diarrhea, apathy, and in some cases, lead to the death of a dog. The problem is that each dog can be harmed by a different amount of grapes, and reactions to them can be unpredictable. Some dogs can become poisoned after eating a few grapes, while others can become poisoned after eating a larger amount. This means that grapes and raisins are particularly dangerous because there is no clear limit to the safe amount.

Onion and garlic

Onions and garlic contain sulfur compounds (thiosulfates), which destroy the dog's red blood cells, leading to their breakdown and anemia. Anemia manifests itself through weakness, lethargy, rapid breathing, and in extreme cases, kidney failure. Importantly, the toxicity of onions and garlic does not depend on the form in which they are given - raw, cooked, dried - all of these forms can harm the dog. Even a small amount of onion or garlic, given regularly, can lead to health problems. Long-term consumption of these vegetables in small quantities can accumulate the toxic effect, making them particularly dangerous.

Avocado

Avocados contain persin, a substance that is toxic to dogs. In particular, the skin and pit of the avocado pose a risk, but the flesh, although less toxic, can also cause adverse reactions in some cases. Persin can lead to digestive problems, including vomiting and diarrhea, and a weakened body. Although many dogs have no problem with avocado flesh, it is better to avoid giving this fruit, as there is a risk of poisoning, especially if a larger amount or parts of the plant, such as the skin and pit, are consumed.

Less dangerous, but still dangerous – why might these products pose a risk to your dog, even though they were commonly given in the past?

While some of these products may seem harmless or even natural to your dog, they can actually lead to serious health problems. In the past, rural dogs often ate bones and drank milk, but the way dogs were raised, their diets and lifestyles have changed. Modern dogs have different nutritional needs and often have different tolerances for certain ingredients, meaning that the same products that were once commonly fed can now pose a risk. In the past, there was less emphasis on the diet of animals, and dogs were treated more like part of the household than family members. However, it is worth remembering that while not every dog will die immediately from consuming milk, cat food or bones, regularly feeding these products can lead to health problems that can worsen over time. Every dog is different and some animals may react worse to certain foods, so it's worth being aware of exactly what ends up in your pet's bowl.

Bones – are they safe?

Bones may seem like an attractive snack for a dog, but not all bones are safe. Boiled or fried bones are particularly dangerous because they can easily break into sharp pieces that can damage the dog's digestive tract, leading to perforation of the intestines or stomach, or puncture the intestine and lead to death. Too many bones in a dog's diet can also cause constipation, because bones are not digested and can block the intestines. Although rural dogs were traditionally given bones, modern dogs often have a different digestive system, and bones given in excess can lead to serious health problems. Raw bones are the safest, but they should be fed in moderation to avoid the risk of damage to the digestive tract.

Milk and dairy products

Although milk is considered healthy for humans, it can be a problem for many dogs. Many dogs are lactose intolerant, which means they cannot digest the milk sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Consuming milk in your dog can lead to diarrhea, flatulence, and other digestive problems. Dairy can also cause allergic reactions in some dogs. Although dogs in the countryside used to drink milk, modern dogs often have different nutritional needs, and their digestive systems may not be designed to digest lactose. Therefore, it is worth limiting the amount of milk and dairy products you give your dog, especially if you notice that your dog has difficulty digesting them.

Cat food

Cat food is designed to meet the needs of cats, which have completely different nutritional requirements than dogs. It contains more protein and fat than dog food, which can lead to obesity, pancreatic problems, and other health complications if fed to dogs. Additionally, cat food may contain ingredients that are not suitable for dogs, which can disrupt their dietary balance. While dogs may have been fed leftovers from cats in the past, today's dog diets require precise adjustments to prevent health problems. For this reason, cat food should be reserved for cats only.

What to do if your dog eats something toxic?

If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic product, contact your vet immediately. Depending on the situation, your vet may recommend activated charcoal (which helps absorb toxins), gastric lavage, or aggressive fluid therapy. Early intervention can save your pet's life, so it's important to always act quickly.

A dog's health depends largely on what we feed it. By avoiding giving it toxic products, we take care of its well-being and long life. Remember that what is healthy for people is not always safe for dogs. It is always worth checking the composition of products and ensuring that the pet's diet is properly adapted to its needs.