Dogs are curious animals by nature and it is normal that sometimes they end up screwing up where they shouldn't. This can cause them a lot of problems when they find something harmful or poisonous to them.
To help you prevent possible mishaps, on our site we present a list of 15 common things that can kill your dog. Remember that it is very important to take it into account, as they can have dire consequences for your canine.
1. Chocolate
While chocolate is a real treat for humans, it's not good for a dog. We previously explained on our site why you shouldn't give your dog chocolate, because chocolate contains a toxic substance for dogs called theobromine.
Theobromine is an alkaloid obtained from the cocoa plant that stimulates the central nervous system. Dogs are not able to eliminate theobromine easily and, therefore, it becomes a toxic agent for them.
Of greatest concern is dark chocolate because it contains higher levels of theobromine than milk chocolate. Now, can a dog really die from eating a little chocolate? In 1980 the company Hershey Food Corporation subsidized the study that was carried out to verify the toxicity of chocolate in dogs. In this study, the results were really alarming because theobromine was administered directly and in very high amounts, specifically around 15-1000 mg per kg of dog weight. To better understand the degree of toxicity, we normally find from 0.2 mg to 393 mg of theobromine in 30 g of cocoa [1], depending on its purity. According to the study carried out, between 250 and 500 mg of theobromine per kilo of the dog's weight could be a lethal dose. Given this, for a dog to truly die from eating chocolate, it should eat a very high amount, an amount that would also be harmful for humans. So should we be alarmed if our dog eats an ounce of chocolate? No, since this amount will not cause signs of poisoning in him, although he may experience digestive disorders.
Gemma Knowles, vice president of the Trifolium Foundation, details in her book He althy cooking for your dog that, following the parameters revealed in the previous study, a dog weighing 5 kg should eat around 90- 180 g of pure dark chocolate to suffer from poisoning. For milk chocolate, the amount is 7-14 tablets of 100 g in a 5 kg dog. However, if there was the possibility of ingesting these large doses of chocolate. the signs of chocolate poisoning include:
- Increased overall activity
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Urinary incontinence
- Heart rate increased
- Increase of the respiratory frequence
- Tremors
- Twitching
A good substitute for chocolate is carob, a food that they are capable of synthesizing correctly. Discover carob as a substitute for chocolate for dogs.
two. Medicines
Who hasn't ever taken a pain reliever for a headache? In any case, we should not leave these drugs within the reach of our canines because it can be poison for our dogs.
Paracetamol is one of the prohibited drugs for dogs and is one of the most dangerous, since a dose of 150 mg/kg for our canine friend is lethal. Ingestion can cause irreparable damage, seriously affecting your liver In addition, it can cause liver failureleading to death and destruction of much of the red blood cells is also possible.
Other medications with which we must be especially careful are:
- Ibuprofen
- Benzodiazepines
- Antidepressants
- Aspirin
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
- Diuretics
- Decongestant medications
- Thyroid medications
3. Cleaning products
Cleaning products are very dangerous for humans, but they are also a poison for dogs Products containing bleach can cause them upset stomach, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, severe burns or even irritation.
Other products with which we must be especially careful are bleach, ammonia, detergents and fabric softeners Although some They will only produce a slight discomfort, others can even cause death. In this way, we recommend not leaving any cleaning product within the reach of our canine friends.
4. Mothballs
Ingesting a single ball of mothballs can cause serious damage to the liver and central nervous system of the animal, causing vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. Consumption of more than one can lead to death.
Naphthalene is generally used as a pesticide due to its degree of toxicity and its chemical compounds that form it. In this way, it is such a toxic product, which makes it one of the things that can kill your dog. In addition, it is one of the repellent odors for dogs that we must avoid at all costs, not only because of the rejection caused by its aroma, but also because of the serious effects it can cause on your he alth. We recommend that you be very careful where you put these beads and, if possible, do not use them.
5. Antifreeze
Other products that can be lethal to dogs include antifreeze and coolants that contain ethylene glycol. Experts warn that these products are potentially harmful to animals.
Furthermore, they point out that they can only cause mild skin irritation or an upset stomach, but prolonged exposure could lead to dry, cracked, burned or bleeding legs of the animal and, if ingested, the animal would suffer vomiting and diarrhea That is why we should go to the vet immediately if we observe any of the aforementioned symptoms.
6. Fruit Seeds
Other toxic foods for our pet are the seeds or stones of fruits such as peaches, peaches, apples, apricots, cherries or plums, and they have a high content ofcyanide that the dog cannot digest. Its toxicity varies from mild to moderate and after its consumption various symptoms can appear, such as dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, red gums, shock and even death. In addition, these seeds or bones can cause a blockage in your throat, causing death by suffocation.
In any case, remember that you can give them the pulp of the fruit always removing the seeds or the stone, since it is a food rich in fiber that in small doses is he althy. Discover in our list of toxic fruits and vegetables for dogs other plant-based foods that can be harmful to your pet.
7. Toxic plants
If you have a garden for your dog to run and play in, you may have different plants that are potentially dangerous to dogs and you may not even know it. Here are a few:
- Lilacs
- Sago Palm
- Daffodils
- Azalea
- Castor
- Bird from paradise
- Holly
- Cyclamen
- Oleander or pink laurel
- Amarites
- Poinsettia
Symptoms of plant poisoning can vary depending on the species ingested, but generally include vomiting and effects on the central nervous system, some of these plants can even cause the death of the animal.
8. Cooked bones
For generations, humans have offered cooked bones to our dogs and, although sometimes it has not had a negative impact on their he alth, in other cases it has caused serious injuries. Here are some of the dangers of offering cooked bones to a dog:
- Broken teeth.
- Tracheal obstruction, in which case we will observe shortness of breath or cough.
- Peritonitis.
- Injuries and perforations to the gums, tongue, esophagus, stomach, intestines and rectum.
- Tear.
- Constipation and bloody stools.
In fact, the veterinary consultation for eating cooked bones is one of the most common. If you have offered your dog a cooked bone and you observe any abnormality, symptom of discomfort or discomfort, do not hesitate to go to your veterinarian Remember that some of the problems mentioned above are serious and can cause the death of your dog if not treated in time.
9. Xylitol
Xylitol is a sweetener used in the manufacture of various foods and products and can be extremely toxic to dogs. It can usually be found in sugar-free gum, muffins, toothpaste, or mouthwash.
If your dog consumes xylitol, within a few hours he may experience vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, seizures and even more serious problems such as hypoglycemia(low blood sugar), as the dog's pancreas mistakes it for real sugar and releases more insulin.
10. Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. If your dog has eaten one or two macadamia nuts, he could have mild to severe weakness in his hind legs, with poisoning being more serious when more than 7 macadamia nuts are ingested. Some of the symptoms of macadamia nut poisoning in dogs are:
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Ataxia (difficulty with muscle control)
- Tremors
- Hyperthermia
Symptoms usually appear more than 12 hours after eating macadamia nuts and usually disappear within 24 or 48 hours, for what the ingestion of this food rarely causes death However, we advise you to consult the veterinarian in case of symptoms and, of course, to avoid eating them.
eleven. Avocado stone and peel
How many times have you read or heard that avocado is one of the most toxic foods for dogs? The Animal Poison Control Center Pet Poison Helpline tells us that avocado is a food that can cause mild poisoning in dogs due to a toxin called "persin "and that is found both in the bone of this fruit and in the shell. So if your dog eats any of these parts of the food, he may develop the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Decay
Since it is a mild poisoning, the veterinarian will indicate the most appropriate treatment to control it and eliminate the toxin from the body. If the bone is ingested, remember that it could get stuck in your dog's throat, causing an obstruction and causing choking.
12. Garlic and onion
The sulfur compound (n-propyl disulfide) in garlic and onions has been identified as a toxic substance for dogs. This component in high concentrations destroys red blood cells and causes a type of hemolytic anemia in dogs. Now, a situation very similar to what we have seen in the case of chocolate occurs here. Starting with garlic, in 2000, Hokkaido University [2] conducted a study in which garlic extract was injected directly into the stomach of dogs. of garlic in very high quantities, specifically from 5 to 1.25 ml per kg of weight. This amount of garlic extract would be equivalent, as Gemma Knowles tells us, to approximately 9 cloves of garlic in the case of a 5 kg dog.
Again, for the animal to truly develop a serious he alth problem or even lose its life, it needs to ingest large amounts of garlic. If you eat a small amount, you may develop mild digestive disorders, but you won't die.
For its part, the onion does tend to present certain symptoms of irritation in the digestive system in most cases, despite consuming a moderate amount. In this case, then, the most appropriate thing is not to offer this food to the animal or, at least, not without first checking how it feels with a very small portion and, preferably, cooked.
If your dog has eaten garlic and onion, you should know that the symptoms of poisoning will not appear immediately, but rather after 5 to 6 daysafter approximately. The symptoms of this poisoning in dogs will appear progressively and include the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Reddish urine
- Respiratory distress
- Lethargy
- Heart rate increased
If you suspect that he may have eaten a large amount of garlic or onion and these signs appear, it is important that you go to the vet with the as soon as possible.
13. Alcoholic drinks
As for humans, drinking alcoholic beverages is also harmful for dogs. These products can cause irreparable damage, as it can seriously affect the nervous system of our canine and can cause convulsions, problems and even cause a coma
In this way, we recommend having any drink that may contain alcohol as far away as possible from our four-legged friend so that it cannot be reached.
14. Leaving a dog in the sun for hours
Leaving a dog in the sun for hours can be very dangerous, since it can suffer a heat stroke For thebrachycephalic dogs (bulldogs, boxers or pugs), the risk is greater since they have narrower nostrils and the palate is so large that it can block the airway.
If we walk our canine on the asph alt, the dog can suffer painful burns on the pads and in the spaces between the fingers. In this way, it is advisable to put some padding protectors on the dog that will reduce the risk of burning or taking it out for a walk during the less hot hours.
If your dog is lounging in the sun, make sure he drinks water regularly, as it will help keep him hydrated, although we recommend that the canine rest in the shade.
fifteen. Leaving a dog locked in the car
Leaving a dog locked in the car can be deadly, since even if it seems like only a second, the car can be an oven in the summertime of summer.
In addition, this event can cause dehydration and lack of ventilation. All this poses a serious danger to our canine friend that can even lead to death.
