Protect Your Dog/ Cat: Top Common Foods That Are Toxic

Below is a chart that shows some of the toxic foods for dogs and cats that pet parents should avoid and in some cases limit! Here are the top dangerous foods: chocolate, xylitol, alcohol, coffee/ caffeine, cooked bones, grapes, raisins, onions, fatty foods, medications, macadamia nuts, and certain mushrooms.

We agree with most of the foods shown on the chart with the exception of Avocado, Garlic and some mushrooms. 

Another Item You Should Avoid for Your Dog or Cat’s Safety

Although marijuana or cannabis is not a food, we thought we should make a mention of the effect that marijuana or cannabis has on dogs and cats. This is due to the fact that with the legalization of marijuana in Canada, weed/ cannabis has become more commonplace in Canada .

Cannabis or marijuana intoxication for dogs is a real problem when people leave around weed edibles in the form of brownies or treats that dogs or cats can eat. In that case, they are toxic foods for dogs or cats. In addition, when people dispose off their unfinished butts like they do with cigarettes, dogs can pick them up and have a reaction. Most of the emergency room visits that we hear dog customers having are due to marijuana or weed toxicity.

Marijuana can lead to ataxia (loss of body control) in dogs, excessive drooling, an inability to settle, loss of bladder contents and in severe cases, seizures.

Debunking Myths: Foods You Thought Were Harmful but Are Healthy for Dogs

Although this is a good quick chart to use to pinpoint dangerous foods for dogs and cats, we would clarify that the following foods don’t cause the issues as described:

Avocados and Pets: Understanding the Real Impact on Dogs and Cats

While avocados contain persin, which can be harmful to some animals, dogs and cats are generally not affected by it. However, the pit poses a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockage.

Avocados are a great food for your dog because they are high in monounsaturated fat, high in anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and antioxidants.

• • For definitive info on why avocado is actually a good food to feed to dogs and cats, check out Dr. Jean Dodd’s blog on the misconception.  Avocado should not be fed to birds, ruminants, rabbits or horses. 

Garlic for Dogs: Health Benefits of Small Doses

Garlic can be beneficial for dogs in small doses, but excessive amounts can cause gastrointestinal irritation and damage red blood cells. For cats, we tend to avoid using garlic.

The issue has always been one of dosage for dogs. Too much and the chart is right, it can cause the issues described. The actually study, which set of this panic fed “4 dogs were given 1.25 ml of garlic extract/kg of body weight (5 g of whole garlic/kg) intragastrically once a day for 7 days.” What does this mean?

• • It means that for a chihuahua weighing about 4 kg, you would have to feed the dog, 20 g of garlic.  That is the equivalent of 1/2 a bulb of garlic or slightly more than the weight of 1 AA battery. Who in their right mind feeds a chihuahua that much garlic or even eats that much garlic.
  • For a retriever weighing 35 kg, you would have to feed the dog, 175 g of garlic, which is the equivalent of a small apple. Again madness!
  • “However, no dog developed hemolytic anemia.” These were the results from the study.

Not All Mushrooms are Toxic Foods for Dogs/ Cats

Some mushrooms are actually important in improving dog health.

• • There are different types of mushrooms. Some are toxic for humans and dogs alike. However, there are mushrooms now being used in cancer care for dogs and cats. These are known as medicinal mushrooms for dogs and cats. It is however erroneous to label them as medicinal mushrooms for pets as you can use them as part of your routine care for your dog or cat.
  • The medicinal mushrooms for dogs and cats that come to mind from speaking and listening to a few holistic vets include Chaga, Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake and Cordyceps. These mushrooms have an anti-cancer and immune boosting properties. For dogs and cats with cancer, these supplements with mushrooms are very helpful. See below for an example of vet approved products made from mushrooms
    • Bixbi Immunity Dog & Cat Antioxidant & Prebiotic Supplement
  • For dogs or cats with cancer, mushrooms form an important component of treatment.

Remember that water can also cause toxicity in your dog if they drink way to much.

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