There are a lot of harmful foods and products available for dogs, some of which are very obvious and others that are a little more unexpected.
Here, we’ve compiled an A-Z of household items and foods that could be fatal for your pets, along with information on the signs of ingestion and what to do.
Acetaminophen is quickly absorbed into the blood after being ingested by the stomach and intestines. The primary toxic effects include liver damage (especially in dogs) and damage to red blood cells (especially in cats), both of which prevent the body’s vital organs from receiving oxygen.
Acetaminophen toxicity can be fatal. However, pets can survive the condition if it is quickly identified, diagnosed, and treated.
Take your dog to the vets as soon as possible. Here, they might induce vomiting, sedate your pet to flush out the stomach’s contents, or give them a special liquid activated charcoal preparation to slow the absorption of toxic substances from the stomach and intestines.
Most cases of acetaminophen toxicity are preventable. Only administer human medications to your pet if instructed to do so by your veterinarian, and keep all medications at home safely locked away.
Many dogs enjoy chewing on remote controls, which could be dangerous if they manage to pierce the battery casing.
The sides and tips of your dog’s tongue will usually be red and raw if they’ve consumed battery fluid. Alternately, if the acid has killed the skin, it will appear whitish-grey.
Your doggo may whimper or go unusually quiet. Even though some dogs will continue to eat, they may chew slowly and cautiously and may appear to have difficulty swallowing. They will likely drool profusely, vomit, and lose their appetite.
You shouldn’t make your dog throw up if you think they recently ate something because the corrosive liquid may worsen their throat damage.
Giving them a small amount of milk to dilute the corrosive fluid is the best initial treatment. Be careful as large amounts may cause diarrhoea.
There are actually other factors we need to think about when it comes to having candles in the home, aside from the obvious risk of singed fur.
For starters, your dog may be allergic to the scent. Additionally, because candles are not regulated, manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients they have used. Who knows what poisons the lit candle will release?
If you enjoy carrying around a fragrant candle like we do, our friends at Dog Furiendly have put together a list of candles that are safe for dogs, which you can read here.
Depending on the type and amount consumed, chocolate can make dogs have seizures or even die. Caffeine and theobromine, two substances in chocolate that can be toxic to dogs, are more prevalent in dark chocolate and baking chocolate than in milk or white chocolate.
Call your veterinarian right away because symptoms of chocolate poisoning can appear within an hour of ingestion and can result in death within 24 hours.
Make sure your dog doesn’t touch any of these tiny creatures because dogs should never consume poisonous objects. Even a small amount can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and, in the worst cases, kidney failure.
Try to induce vomiting if you know for a fact that your dog recently consumed grapes, raisins, or even grape juice to stop the toxins from being absorbed by your dog.
By administering a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, you can achieve this. We strongly advise you to read The Pet Health Network’s really helpful article on the dos and don’ts of inducing vomiting.
Consult your veterinarian right away if you’re unsure whether your dog has been ill or if your efforts haven’t been successful.
They might advise giving your dog activated charcoal or saying that they need to wash their stomachs and receive fluid therapy. Not nice.
These may include additives like fungicides, herbicides, pesticides, and quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, and other toxic elements. If you must use these products around your home, choose a non-toxic, pet-friendly fertilizer.
Ingesting fertiliser can cause intestinal upset, including diarrhoea and vomiting. Your dog may require fluids for rehydration and medication to calm and soothe their stomach if this lasts for more than a few days.
One piece of toast that has been extremely burned is a good idea because the charcoal will help them eliminate any toxins from their system.
Additionally, adding good bacteria to their digestive system is possible by mixing half a teaspoon of plain yoghurt into one of their food portions.
You might not be familiar with the word “philodendron,” but if you’re a self-respecting millennial, your home likely contains one. They have long vines and leaves in the shape of hearts that contain calcium oxalate crystals that are insoluble and can irritate your dog’s mouth and lips.
Many other plants and flowers, including tulips, lilies of the valley, and rhododendrons, are poisonous. Our friends at Pet Central have nicely summed these up.
Your dog may have eaten a poisonous plant if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
Get yourself to your neighborhood veterinary clinic right away if you have any reason to believe you consumed a poisonous plant and your symptoms continue for longer than a few days.
Onions, shallots, garlic, scallions, etc. all contain substances that, if consumed in sufficient amounts by dogs, can harm their red blood cells.
Ingesting concentrated forms of onion or garlic, such as dehydrated onions, onion soup mix, or garlic powder, may put dogs at risk of toxicosis, though it is uncommon for eating raw onions and garlic to cause serious problems in dogs.
Three to five days after consuming these products, the effects typically become noticeable. Affected dogs may appear lethargic or easily fatigued after light exercise. Their urine may be orange-tinged to dark red in colour.
Get to the veterinarian right away if you see them eating a whole onion or think they’ve consumed a significant amount because in serious cases, blood transfusions may be required.
Is it okay for dogs to eat burnt food?
The problem is that burnt toast might contain hazardous acrylamide, a substance that could cause cancer and is frequently present in foods cooked at high temperatures.
Is it OK to eat burnt food?
No. It is unlikely that acrylamide from crispy potatoes, burnt toast, or burnt chips will increase the risk of cancer. You may have read that acrylamide and cancer may be related. Quality research has not established that acrylamide in food causes human cancer.
What happens if my dog eats burnt meat?
Meat that has been burned contains chemicals that were created when the food was changed by the intense heat.
Charred surfaces from burned food contain chemicals like acrylamide.
While acrylamide is typically found in starchy foods, other chemicals of a similar nature can be found in burnt meat.
Additionally, the fats and calories that are burned off from the meat may already be harmful to them.
According to a study, some dogs’ symptoms were brought on by the acrylamide present in burnt food. Thus, it may happen to your dog as well.
Among the signs of acrylamide poisoning are seizures, which can result in death.
Another dog started moving strangely, vomiting, and having convulsions.
Such cases began to emerge 24 to 48 hours after consuming the burned food.
Because of this, it would be best to steer clear of giving your dog any burned meat or food as much as possible.
If you still believe that throwing away the food would be wasteful, you can remove the burned portion and give your dog the remaining, unburned portion.
FAQ
Is burnt food toxic?
No. It is unlikely that acrylamide from crispy potatoes, burnt toast, or burnt chips will increase the risk of cancer. You may have read that acrylamide and cancer may be related. But there isn’t enough good quality evidence to show this.
Is burnt food still edible?
The general consensus among nutritionists is that while consuming a small amount of burnt food won’t necessarily harm you, you should try to avoid doing so whenever possible.
Can dogs eat burnt ends?
According to Leticia, “The carbonization on the outside of burnt meat can cause vomiting or other stomach upset in our pets, and some experts have linked it to cancer.”
Is Burnt toast good for dog upset stomach?
If your dog has ingested some, keep them hydrated. One piece of toast that has been extremely burned is a good idea because the charcoal will help them eliminate any toxins from their system.