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March is Pet Poison Prevention Month & is a great time to familiarise ourselves with some common household items which could be of a risk to our four-legged companions!<\/span><\/p>\n Foods which are harmful to dogs<\/strong><\/p>\n Chocolate-<\/b> I think most of us are aware of how toxic chocolate can be to our dogs, this is due to the caffeine & theobromine it contains. These 2 ingredients can cause the nervous system, guts & muscles to go into overdrive. This could cause symptoms such as an increase in heart rate, increased blood pressure, hyperactivity, vomiting & diarrhoea. Dogs usually start to show signs of illness around 4 hours after they\u2019ve ingested chocolate but it could take up to 24 hours in some cases.<\/span><\/p>\n Grapes & Raisins-<\/b> these are part of the family of fruit called \u2018Vitis vinifera\u2019 which can cause gut & kidney problems in dogs. A study done by ASPCA Poison Control Centre (APCC) has found out that it is the tartaric acid in grapes which is the culprit, grapes, raisins & sultanas contain different levels of tartaric acid based on the type of grape, where it was grown & ripeness. Symptoms can vary from dog to dog but can include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, kidney damage or failure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Garlic & Onions-<\/b> These foods along with other members of the Allium species such as leeks & chives are toxic to dogs & cats. It does not matter whether they are raw, cooked or powdered- all forms are harmful to our beloved dogs. They can damage the red blood cells in our pet & could lead anaemia. Symptoms can include pale gums, lethargy & discoloured urine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Food Containing Xylitol-<\/b> This is used as a sugar substitute in some foods such as sugar free chewing gum or sweets, some peanut butter brands and some medications for example. It\u2019s poisonous to our dogs as once eaten it stimulates the pancreas to release insulin. The increase of insulin into the dog\u2019s bloodstream can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) which can result in the following symptoms: vomiting, seizures, liver failure & lethargy.<\/span><\/p>\n Nuts- <\/b>While some nuts are safe for our dogs to eat such as peanuts here\u2019s 3 that you should most definitely avoid feeding to your pet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cooked Bones- <\/b>Any cooked bone should be avoided, once cooked bones become more likely to splinter or shatter which could damage your dogs\u2019 mouth, throat & intestines. They are also a lot harder to digest which could bring a risk of an intestinal blockage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some other foods to avoid<\/b> feeding your dog are avocados, fat trimmings (can cause pancreatitis), stones from fruits, raw potatoes, rhubarb, caffeine, alcohol, blue cheese, raw bread dough, mushrooms & mouldy food.<\/span><\/p>\n Plants<\/strong><\/p>\n Some commonly found plants are also toxic to our dogs! A lot of people are aware of Lillies being harmful but here are a few others that you should avoid letting your dog chew on!<\/span><\/p>\n\n