14 Common Harmful Things For Dogs

Most pet owners can name a few things that are widely known to be toxic to dogs, such as pesticides, snail bait, macadamia nuts, chocolate (most especially dark chocolate), fatty foods, and antifreeze. We often hear about other common foods or things that are said to be unsafe for dogs and/or cats, even if they don’t come with poison warning labels.

Certain foods, plants, and other household items can be highly noxious to dogs and other animals as well. Some of them might surprise you! Here’s a list of harmful things or toxic substances for dogs to watch out for that you probably have laying around the house right now.

 

14 Harmful Things For Dogs

 

1. Fabric Softener Sheets

Fabric softener sheets are harmful to dogs because they contain ingredients called cationics that can cause gastrointestinal irritation, particularly in cats.

They are especially harmful before they are run through the dryer. Make sure your dog and any other animals in your house stay away from dryer sheets.

 

2. Avocados

Avocados are bad for dogs because they contain a substance called persin. Avocados may result to an upset stomach in dogs and cats, but the real danger is to birds and rabbits, where ingesting avocado could lead to organ failure and even death. Cats shouldn't eat avocado either.
Be wary of avocado pits too as they may be a choking hazard, specially for bigger dogs.
Make sure your dog or any other pets in your house stay away from avocados!

 

3. Grapes And Raisins

These two are extremely unsafe to dogs. They can cause our precious dogs' kidneys to fail if eat them in large amounts, which usually results in death. Never share these healthy human foods with your canine companion.

 

4. Pennies

Did you know that pennies minted after 1982 have a very high zinc content that is toxic to pets? Zinc can cause their kidneys to fail, damage their liver, and gastrointestinal system, so keep those loose coins away from your pet
Because pennies are so harmful to dogs we recommend keeping them in a sealed container where your dog cant get to it.

 

5. Garlic

Garlic is very dangerous to dogs and especially harmful to cats. It affects the red blood cells, compromising their capacity to carry oxygen throughout the body., which in many cases has ended in death. Make sure to tuck this tasty food away from your pooch!

 

6. Spices

Just like with macadamia nuts, certain spices can have toxic effects on dogs. Mace and nutmeg can harm the gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Paprika, onion powder, and turmeric contain irritants that could harm your pet’s skin, stomach, and mucus membranes. Keep your spice rack up and out of harm's way for your dog.

 

7. Eucalyptus

Keep dried flower arrangements containing eucalyptus away from dogs, and pets in general. Eucalyptus contains an essential oil called eucalyptol that can cause stomach upset and harm the nervous system of dogs and other pets.

 

8. Sugar Free Gum

Sugar free gum, candy, and other sugar-free products that contain an artificial sweetener called Xylitol are toxic to dogs. Xylitol rapidly releases insulin in dogs and will cause a sudden onset of severe symptoms such as vomiting, bleeding, seizures and death.
It may cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and liver failure can occur in extreme cases, often becoming life threatening. If a dog with a low blood sugar is left untreated, it can also lead to seizures and/or a tragic demise.

 

9. Lilies

All types of lilies are extremely toxic to cats, and have been known to effect dogs as well. A cat that eats any part of a lily plant—even pollen--could die from kidney failure within 36-72 hours. Do not bring lilies in your house if you have a dog or cat! They are life threatening for them!

 

10. Mulch

Garden mulch made from certain trees can contain essential oils and resins that could be harmful to your dog if he eats it. Cocoa bean shell mulch is attractive to dogs, and can cause similar symptoms to chocolate poisoning if eaten in large quantities. Make sure to know exactly what is in your mulch before putting it in a yard with dogs!
 

11. Raw Yeast

If you're making bread or other foods with raw yeast dough, such as handmade soft pretzels, let the dough rise somewhere safe from curious dogs. Raw yeast or raw bread dough can expand in your dog's stomach, causing unpleasant gas and bloating.
When it happens, it can cause your dog's stomach to twist, and it can easily turn into a medical emergency.
Speaking of "raw," be careful when giving raw meat, raw eggs, and cooked bones to dogs too as they can contain bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella that can cause harm to dogs to just like with us, pet owners.

12. Salt

Be careful when sharing salty foods like potato chips or pretzels with your dog. Human food may seem like tasty treats for them, but a dog eating something with too much salt can actually lead to liver failure.
Dogs eating foods with salt can experience excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning. Signs that your pet may have eaten too much of this include diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm, vomiting, tremors, depression, seizures, elevated body temperature, and even death.

13. Medicine

Keep human medication away from your dogs as they are very poisonous to them. Dogs may develop serious stomach, and intestinal ulcers, and red blood cell damage if they ingest medicines like Advil and Tylenol.
if your dog has taken an over-the-counter or prescription drugs for humans or if you think your dog may have food poisoning, please contact your veterinarian or ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) Helpline's 24-hour animal poison control hotline at 888 426 4435 immediately! 

14. Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic poisoning is dangerous to us, how much more for our doggos?
Even tiny amounts of alcohol have a toxic substance that can cause serious issues to your dog’s health.
Both ethanol (the intoxicating ingredient in an alcoholic beverage) and hops (the ingredient in beer brewing) can get dogs alcohol intoxication.

---

There you have it, 14 common things in your household that could cause harm to your furry companion. If you have a pupper who is always curious and loves to eat or chew up random things in the house, consider giving him dog toys to be busy with.

Get a new leash on life with our my dog is my best friend shirt from our dog tees collection, an adorable way to show off how much you love and care for your family dogs.

If you're thinking of giving your dogs some treats, consider these Grain Free Treat Recipes, as you know, most of the ingredients in dog treats are not always in commercial dog foods. They're easy to make so give them a shot!