If your dog exhibits any of the symptoms listed below or if you suspect he/she has gotten into something they shouldn’t have that is poisonous, get him/her to a Vet as soon as possible (an all-night facility, if necessary). Some of these situations are life threatening.

CHOCOLATE
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is closely related to caffeine and causes your dog’s heart to race. In small dosages, it will cause hyperactivity and possibly diarrhea. If your dog has ingested too much chocolate “…vomiting, excessive thirst, diarrhea, restlessness, and agitation typically develop in six to eight hours. Kidney damage, seizures, heart rhythm irregularities, and death may result in severe cases. There is no real antidote for a theobromine overdose. Supportive care can be given, and vomiting can be induced if the case is caught early enough.”*

Chocolately things like ordinary brownies, cake, cookies, and so on really do not contain all that much chocolate but should still be kept away from your dog and out of reach. Gourmet chocolate goodies, however, often contain more chocolate. Baking chocolate and chocolate used in candy-making are very concentrated and much more dangerous (as would be a box of chocolates or a candy bar, but keep in mind that the more expensive chocolates tend to contain more theobromine). Do yourself and your dog(s) a favor and keep your chocolate treats in a completely dog-proof place.

This is not good for your dog, because a dog’s body cannot process excess salt. Salt can accumulate and cause kidney disease in old age. At any time in a dog’s life, if salt is given in extreme excess, it could cause your dog’s kidneys to react and swell. Your dog would have to be totally without water for a period of days if this happens, before the kidneys could function normally again (just think about how serious that is), if the dog survived.

If your dog gets any leftovers from your table, make absolutely certain that there is no salt in these foods. Things that have a high salt content are bullion, soups, hamburger/chicken/noodle/rice mixes that come in a box, and almost any already prepared foods (including sauces and gravies) that come in a can, bottle, box, or packet. Most cheese has a high salt content, but dogs love it! Frozen veggies with no salt added when you cook them, fresh cooked meat (i.e. beef or chicken) that has nothing added to it, rice or pasta that has nothing added to it as you cook it, etc. are relatively safe foods to feed your dog. Remember that butter has salt in it, too. Read the labels on the food products you use in your home and the dog food and treats you buy for your dog.

I occasionally give my dogs very small pieces of things that I know are safe for them to eat. We don’t get carried away with table scraps at our house, and that way we minimize any potential problem.

It’s my understanding that dogs in very hot climates would need more salt in their diet, but ask your Vet!

ONIONS, GARLIC, AND ANYTHING ELSE IN THE ONION FAMILY
Raw onions can cause liver damage in your dog. In addition, there is also a rare form of anemia, Heinz-body hemolytic anemia, that dogs can get from eating cooked or raw onions or other members of the onion family. Because it is so rare, it can be misdiagnosed. This was thought to affect only dogs 40 lbs. and under, but in 1999, an Australian Shepherd was diagnosed with it and barely pulled through.

Make sure onion or garlic powder or any other form of the onion family are not listed as ingredients in anything you’re feeding your dog or cat (this includes dog or cat food). Onion powder is very bad for cats, too.

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