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Most Common Ways Dogs Are Accidentally Poisoned
Dog are our best friends and we love them like family. So much so we want to keep them around as long as we possibly can. There are many things that can accidentally poison dogs. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ways dogs are accidentally poisoned.
Chocolate 
This is probably one of the most well known poisons for a dog. However, most people are not aware of the fact that it is the cocoa in the chocolate that is poisonous to dogs. Different types of chocolate have different amounts of cocoa. The more cocoa in the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for our furry friends. White chocolate has very little cocoa in it and can therefore be consumed with no ill effects but it can take only 0.3 ounces of concentrated chocolate per pound of body weight to kill a dog.
Let’s break it down a little. White chocolate has very little cocoa in it, dark chocolate has anywhere from 50-70% cocoa and baking chocolate contains approximately 90% cocoa.
Avocados 
This is another thing that most people are unaware of. Avocados, albeit a fruit, contain persin which can lead to heart failure in dogs. It does not take much persin for an avocado to be poisonous to a dog either.
Caffeine 
This is a no-brainer. Caffeine is the most well known stimulant in the world and it is very dangerous for dogs to consume . This includes caffeine from food, drinks, medications, supplements etc.
Candy sweetened with Xylitol 
Xylitol has become a popular sugar substitute in recent years. It can be found in yogurt, peanut butter, chewing gum and more. Although sometimes plant based, Xylitol is also often derived from animal tissue. Dogs are not able to digest Xylitol properly which causes their blood sugar to drop dramatically after consumption which leads to liver failure if the dog is not treated fast enough.
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Household cleaners & Benzocaine 
Many household cleaners contain ingredients that are poisonous to dogs. This can be very detrimental if a dog were to get into a container of the cleaner and ingest it even in small amounts. Although not as common, Benzocaine which is often found in topical medications such as diaper rash cream or hemorrhoid medication, should also be kept away from pets. It takes only a very small amount for benzocaine poisoning to occur which can lead to liver failure and death if left untreated.
Lilies & Daffodils 
There are few things that mean more to a dog owner than flowers given to them by their beloved pet. Unfortunately however, most flowers are poisonous to dogs including lilies and daffodils . If ingested these flowers can cause kidney failure in dogs so please keep them away from your pet.
Onions & Garlic 
The same rule applies for onions and garlic as it does for chocolate. It is the allium in these foods that make them poisonous to dogs. The more onion or garlic a dog consumes, the worse the symptoms will be such as vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy which can lead to anemia if not treated properly by a veterinarian .
Medications
This one should be obvious but I think we all know someone who has had medication sitting on their counter at one point or another. Medications are a very common way dogs are accidentally poisoned whether through ingestion, inhalation of fumes from cleaning products containing medications or topical medications getting into fur causing poisoning when they are licked off later by our furry friends.
Household plants
Many of us like to keep houseplants around and most of them are completely harmless to dogs, however some commonly kept household plants such as mistletoe and amaryllis can be quite dangerous to our canine friends if ingested .All types of grapes, raisins and sultanas should also be kept away from pets due to their toxicity.
It is important to note that different parts of a plant can contain varying levels of poison so it is often hard to determine the level of danger by simply looking at the plant. For instance, lilies might cause more or less harm depending on whether they were ingested or inhaled as well as grape varieties which only pose a risk when seedless.
Spices
Although not as common, some spices such as nutmeg and saffron can cause a variety of medical problems in dogs including seizures due to a lack of regulation between the amount one would put in baked goods vs. the amount that is dangerous for consumption. Garlic powder also has a similar effect although to a lesser extent.
Yeast dough
Making fresh yeast bread at home is very satisfying but doing so comes with serious consequences if your dog should get into the dough before it has been cooked properly . Once ingested, unbaked yeast dough will rise causing gas to build up inside your pet’s digestive tract which can lead to bloat or distension which can become fatal if not treated immediately by a veterinarian.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can be very enticing to dogs Currently, it is not known why these fruits are toxic. Over the years, there has been speculation as to whether the toxicity may be due to a mycotoxin (a toxic substance produced by a fungus or mold) or a salicylate (aspirin-like) drug that may be naturally found in the grape, resulting in decreased blood flow to the kidneys. More recently, it has been considered that tartaric acid may be the cause. However, to date, no specific toxic agent has been clearly identified. Since it is currently unknown why these fruits are toxic, any exposure should be a cause for potential concern.
Alcoholic beverages 
Finally, alcoholic beverages should never be kept around the home if there are pets present. Even though it may seem like fun for your pet to lap up some leftover wine possessed in glasses on your counter, this could lead to alcohol poisoning which could prove fatal. This holds true for any beverage containing ethanol including beer or other forms of spirits . It only takes very little alcohol for a dog to become intoxicated and death can occur if they eat enough of the beverage.
Potentially dangerous items such as these should be safely stored in high cabinets where pets cannot reach them or locked away with childproof locks to avoid any accidents from occurring.
How long does it take for a dog to react to poison?
Luckily, most cases of accidental poisoning in dogs will lead to less severe symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset or irritation that ease up after a day or two. However, there are some types of poisons that can be life-threatening within hours if not treated immediately by a veterinarian .
What are the signs that your dog has been poisoned?
The most common symptoms that your dog might be suffering from poisoning include:
Vomiting and diarrhea (occurring within the first few hours) Decreased appetite Lethargy Excessive drooling Loss of consciousness Seizures Convulsions Diarrhea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal problems resulting in dehydration Rapid heart rate Heart attack.
If you find any of these symptoms in your pet, it is critically important to take them to a veterinarian straight away for assessment and treatment . If the poison was potentially fatal such as ingesting anti-freeze or certain types of cleaning products, you should phone Critical care animal ambulance services immediately. They often deal with cases where time is critical and can get veterinary support to meet you at your home.
Conclusion:
Although most cases of accidental poisoning in dogs are mild, some can be life-threatening so it is important to know the signs and what types of poisons to look out for. If your pet shows any sign of poisoning, consult with a veterinarian immediately or call an animal ambulance service if time is critical.
