About Sarah Expertise i can answer any questions on general behavioral problems, puppy training etc i have worked on a boarding/breeding kennels for several years so any questions about boarding/post natal care are welcome. I can also answer some veterinary questions as i am a 3rd year vet student.
Experience worked in a boarding/breeding kennels foe five years
3rd yr vet student
Question I'm looking for real answers instead of urban legends. What are the things that will hurt dogs the most should they eat them? For instance, I have heard to keep my dog away from chocolate of all kinds, with death being the implied danger. I've heard something similar about onions. What are the things I really need to keep away from my dog? What things aren't as bad as conventional wisdom would have me believe? What things should be avoided but are often unmentioned? Thank you so much. I've done lots of research on this, but I wanted to ask experts.
Answer Hi
What you have heard about chocolcate is exactly right. There is enough poison in two squares of dark chocolate to kill a labrador. White chocolate is relatively non-toxic, whith dogs needing to ingest an average of 750g per kilogram of body weight for there to be toxic effects, and milk chocolate is less toxic than plain and dark chocolate. Death can result from the ingestion of milk chocolate however, as a friend of mine tragically found out when she left a box of milk chocolates within reach of her golden retriever one night having forgotton to put them away and came downstairs the next morning to find the dog dead and the chocolates gone. The effects can also be cumulative so even if they've had a little bit and been fine giving them a little bit every night can still lead to disaster. Doggy chocolate drops are available, which my dogs adore, and which are not made with cocoa beans but a synthetic substitute in order that they are not poisonous.
Garlic and onions both contain a substance called alum which can have neurological effects on dogs including leading to seizures and problems walking. If garlic is to be fed it should be in powdered form and only if it states the alum is removed. This can be taken as a given with garlic powders formulated for dogs.
other foods that are poisonous to dogs are:
walnuts and macademia nuts
raw liver
Tea, coffee and cola type drinks (same poison as chocolate)
grapes raisins and sultanas
pear pips, apple pips, kernels of plums, peaches etc
turkey skin
raw fish especially salmon
some mushrooms
cat food can cause metabolic imbalances
milk and other diary products - dogs are lactose intolerant
raw eggs
potato, rhubarb and tomato leaves/stems
yeast dough
citrus oil
vitamin supplements containing iron.
