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Foods which are toxic and poisonous to pets:
Alcohol (all alcoholic beverages, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl)
Almonds*
Apples seeds
Apricots*
Avocado*
Broccoli (in large amounts)
Cherry pits
Chocolate (all types)*
Coffee grounds, beans & tea (caffeine)
Figs
Garlic*
Grapes
Hops (used in home brewing)
Macadamia Nuts
Milk
Moldy/spoiled foods
Mushrooms
Nutmeg
Onions*
Peaches*
Pear seeds
Plum seed/pit
Potato (leaves & stem, peelings, and unripe green potatoes)
Raisins
Rhubarb leaves*
Sugar Free items with Xylitol (see below)***
Tomatoes (leaves & stem, and green tomatoes)
Walnut hulls
Yeast dough
Other substances that are very harmful include (but are not
limited to):
Acetaminophen
Acetone
Antifreeze
Aspirin
Bleach
Boric Acid
Brake Fluid
Carbon Monoxide
Carburetor Fluid
Cigarettes and other nicotine products and smoke
Cleaning Fluids
Cosmetics
Crayons (dangerous for birds)
Deodorant
Deodorizers
Detergents
Diet Pills
Disinfectants
Drain Cleaners
Dyes
Fungicides
Furniture Polish
Gasoline
Hair Coloring
Herbicides
Insecticides
Kerosene
Laundry supplies & fabric softener
Laxatives
Lead
Liquor
Lye
Matches
Mercury
Metal Polish
Mineral Spirits
Mothballs
Nail Polish & Nail Polish Remover
Paint
Paint Remover
Permanent Solution
Phenol
Photo Developer
Rodent poison
Rubbing Alcohol
Rust (dangerous for birds)
Shoe Polish
Sleeping Pills
Slug/Snail Bait
Soap
Sugar Free foods (see below)***
Suntan Lotion
Tar
Turpentine
Window Cleaners
Wood preservatives and shellac
Fumes dangerous to birds: smoke-filled air, insecticide spray,
deodorizers, spray cleaners, fumes from fresh paint, gas, and
overheated Teflon (very deadly). |
Plants which are toxic and/or poisonous to pets:
Almonds*
Amaryllis bulb*
Andromeda
Anthuriaum*
Apple seeds (contain cyanide)
Apricot*
Arrowgrass
Autumn crocus (Colchicum Autumnale)*
Avocado (leaves, seeds, stem, skin)* (fatal to birds)
Azalea (entire rhododendron family)
Begonia*
Bird of Paradise
Bittersweet
Bleeding heart*
Boxwood
Bracken fern
Buckeye
Buttercup (Ranunculus)
Caffeine
Caladium*
Calla lily*
Castor bean or castor oil plant* (can be fatal if chewed)
Cherry pits (contain cyanide)
Cherry Chinese sacred or heavenly bamboo*
Chocolate Choke cherry, unripe berries*
Chrysanthemum (a natural source of pyrethrins)
Clematis
Crocus bulb
Croton (Codiaeum sp.)
Crown of Thorns
Daffodil
Daphne
Delphinium, larkspur, monkshood*
Dieffenbachia
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)*
Elderberry, unripe berries*
Elephant Ear
English ivy (All Hedera species of ivy)
Fig (Ficus)
Four-o'clocks (Mirabilis)
Foxglove (Digitalis)*
Garlic*
Grapes/raisins
Hemlock
Hemp
Hyacinth bulbs
Hydrangea*
Holly berries
Iris corms
Jack-in-the-pulpit*
Jasmine
Jerusalem Cherry, Winter Cherry (Solanum pseudocarpum)
Jimsonweed* (Datur stramonium, D. metaloides, D. arborea)
Kalanchoe*
Lantana*
Larkspur
Laurel
Lily (bulbs of most species)
Lily (Easter Lily, Tiger Lily)
Lily-of-the-Valley*
Locoweed
Lupine species
Marigold
Marijuana or hemp (Cannabis)
Milkweed*
Mistletoe berries*
Monkshood
Morning Glory*
Mostera, aka Split-Leaf Philodendron or Swiss Cheese Plant
Mountain laurel
Mushrooms & Toadstools (various)
Narcissus, daffodil
Nettles
Nightshade (various species)
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
Oak* (remove bark for use as a bird perch)
Oleander*
Onions*
Peaches*
Pear seeds
Pencil cactus/plant* (Euphorbia sp.)
Periwinkle (Vinca rosea)
Peyote (Lophophora williamsii)
Philodendron (all species)*
Plum pit/seed
Poinsettia (many hybrids, avoid them all)
Poison Ivy
Potato (leaves & stem, peelings, unripe green potatoes)
Precatory Beans (Crabs Eye, Rosary Pea, Jequirity Bean) Used in
jewelry. Extremely toxic when seedcoat is broken, as it is when the
seeds are strung
Privet
Rhodedendron
Rhubarb leaves*
Rosary Pea (Arbus sp.) (can be fatal if chewed)
Scheffelera (umbrella plant)*
Shamrock (Oxalis sp.)*
Skunk Cabbage
Snow-on-the-Mountain
Spurge (Euphorbia sp.)
Tobacco
Tomatoes (leaves & stem, green tomatoes)
Tulip
Walnut hulls
Water Arum
Wisteria
Yew* |
Toxins Explained
Chocolate/Caffeine: Chocolate contains theobromine, a
compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. After their pet
has eaten a large quantity of chocolate, many pet owners assume
their pet is unaffected. However, the signs of sickness may not be
seen for several hours, with death following within twenty-four
hours. Symptoms include Staggering, labored breathing, vomiting,
diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, heart rate increase,
arrhythmia, seizures, coma, death. Cocoa powder and cooking
chocolate are the most toxic forms. A 10-kilogram dog can be
seriously affected if it eats a quarter of a 250gm packet of cocoa
powder or half of a 250gm block of cooking chocolate. These forms of
chocolate contain ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate.
Thus, a chocolate mud cake could be a real health risk for a small
dog. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a
cake can make a dog unwell. Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate
are the next most dangerous forms, with milk chocolate being the
least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250gm block of milk
chocolate to be affected. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the less
it needs to eat.
Onions/Garlic: Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient
thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger. Pets affected by onion
toxicity will develop haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood
cells burst while circulating in its body. Symptoms include
Hemolytic Anemia, labored breathing, liver damage, vomiting,
diarrhea, discolored urine. The poisoning occurs a few days after
the pet has eaten the onion. All forms of onion can be a problem
including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table
scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza,
Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes
fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness. While garlic
also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that
garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to
cause illness.
Grapes/Raisins: As few as a handful of raisins or grapes can
make a dog/cat ill; however, of the 10 cases reported to the ASPCA
Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), each dog ingested between 9
ounces and 2 pounds of grapes or raisins. Symptoms include vomiting,
diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts are another concern, along
with most other kinds of nuts. Their high phosphorus content is said
to possibly lead to bladder stones. Dogs develop a tremor of the
skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters.
Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually
panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when
the limbs are manipulated.
Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources: Can cause
obstruction or laceration of the digestive system. Cooked bones
splinter EVEN MORE.
Milk and other dairy products: Some adult dogs and cats do
not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down
the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk
products are available for pets.
Raw Eggs: Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases
the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and
hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
***Sugar Free foods with Xylitol: Veterinarians warn that a
commonly used sweetener might cause liver failure in dogs, and
perhaps even kill them. Researchers said for dogs, ingesting even a
small amount of xylitol, found in many sugar-free foods, can trigger
significant insulin release, which drops their blood sugar and can
be fatal. Their report in the Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association appears to strengthen the suspected link between
the sugar substitute xylitol, thought to make dogs sick, and
possible liver failure. Xylitol, a naturally occurring product, is
found in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and
toothpastes. Researchers Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and Eric Dunayer with
staff at a poison unit of the American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals in Urbana, Illinois, gathered information on
eight dogs treated between 2003 and 2005 after eating products
containing xylitol. Each dog became ill, and five died or had to be
put down because of liver failure, possibly from ingesting xylitol.
One dog who had to be euthanized had eaten four large,
chocolate-frosted muffins containing about 1 pound of xylitol.
"People don't think sugar-free gum can kill their dog. I didn't
before I got into this. But this is something people should be aware
of," Gwaltney-Brant, who co-authored the study with Dunayer, said in
a statement. Gwaltney-Brant said for dogs, ingesting even a small
amount of xylitol can trigger significant insulin release, which
drops their blood sugar and can be fatal. "A 22-pound dog who
consumes one gram of xylitol should be treated," she said, adding
that further studies were needed to definitely establish a
cause-and-effect relationship.
NOTE: Pets owners should not assume that human food is always
safe for pets. When it comes to chocolate, onions, garlic,
raisins/grapes and macadamia nuts, such foods should not be given at
all. Be sure that your pets can’t get into your stash of chocolates,
that food scraps are disposed of carefully to prevent onion and
garlic toxicity and that your dog is prevented from picking up
macadamia nuts if you have a tree in your garden.
Top 10 Human Medications That Poison Our Pets from aspca.org
Although pet parents are well aware of poisons lurking around their
home, many don’t realize that some of the biggest culprits are
sitting right on their own nightstands. In 2007, the ASPCA Animal
Poison Control Center received 89,000 calls related to pets
ingesting over-the-counter and prescription medications. To help you
prevent an accident from happening, our experts have created a list
of the top 10 human medications that most often poison our furry
friends.
If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the following items,
please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435. And remember to keep all
medications tucked away in bathroom cabinets—and far from curious
cats and dogs.
NSAIDs NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like
ibuprofen or naproxen are the most common cause of pet poisoning in
small animals, and can cause serious problems even in minimal doses.
Pets are extremely sensitive to their effects, and may experience
stomach and intestinal ulcers and—in the case of cats—kidney damage.
Antidepressants Antidepressants can cause vomiting and
lethargy and certain types can lead to serotonin syndrome—a
condition marked by agitation, elevated body temperature, heart rate
and blood pressure, disorientation, vocalization, tremors and
seizures.
Acetaminophen Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen,
which can damage red blood cells and interfere with their ability to
transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause liver damage and, at higher
doses, red blood cell damage.
Methylphenidate (for ADHD) Medications used to treat ADHD
(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in people act as
stimulants in pets and can dangerously elevate heart rates, blood
pressure and body temperature, as well as cause seizures.
Fluorouracil Fluorouracil—an anti-cancer drug—is used
topically to treat minor skin cancers and solar keratitis in humans.
It has proven to be rapidly fatal to dogs, causing severe vomiting,
seizures and cardiac arrest even in those who’ve chewed on discarded
cotton swabs used to apply the medication.
Isoniazid Often the first line of defense against
tuberculosis, isoniazid is particularly toxic for dogs because they
don’t metabolize it as well as other species. It can cause a rapid
onset of severe seizures that may ultimately result in death.
Pseudoephedrine Pseudoephedrine is a popular decongestant in
many cold and sinus products, and acts like a stimulant if
accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it causes elevated
heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as
seizures.
Anti-diabetic Many oral diabetes treatments—including
glipizide and glyburide—can cause a major drop in blood sugar levels
of affected pets. Clinical signs of ingestion include
disorientation, lack of coordination and seizures.
Vitamin D derivatives Even small exposures to Vitamin D
analogues like calcipotriene and calcitriol can cause
life-threatening spikes in blood calcium levels in pets. Clinical
signs of exposure—including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased
urination and thirst due to kidney failure—often don't occur for
more than 24 hours after ingestion.
Baclofen Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can impair the
central nervous systems of cats and dogs. Some symptoms of ingestion
include significant depression, disorientation, vocalization,
seizures and coma, which can lead to death. |
