List of Plants and Foods that are Poisonous for Pets

There are numerous commonly found items which when consumed, can be extremely dangerous for your dog. Some of them you might find very surprising. There are too many to list here, so I have created a couple of lists of the most common ones I have seen as a vet.

If in doubt, always telephone your vet or their 24 hour emergency service, for advice.

Most veterinary practices will subscribe to a veterinary poisons helpline, so make sure you know what your dog ate accidentally, and if it is in a packet or bottle, have the ingredients list ready, so they can check if an antidote or particular treatment option is required. Never make your dog vomit without checking with your veterinary practice first (unless you know for definite that the substance is safe in their mouth)- some chemicals or substances can scald the digestive tract, and forcing the dog to vomit exposes the soft tissues in the oesophagus, mouth and tongue to be exposed twice.

In the lists below I have listed some of the common plants and foods which can cause toxicity in dogs. The list of potential foreign bodies (items unsafe for your dog to eat) is endless. Some foreign bodies are small enough and smooth surfaced enough, to pass through the dogs’ gastrointestinal tract without causing any physical or chemical harm. Others can cause damage by: physically damaging the surface, or even penetrating through, the soft gastrointestinal tract, or by leaking their contents into the tract, resulting in uptake into the bloodstream, causing generalised symptoms of poisoning. If in doubt, keep potential foreign bodies out of the reach of your dog and if accidentally ingested, telephone your veterinary clinic, or their 24 hour emergency line for advice immediately.

Dangerous Plants

1. Azalea: Ingestion of just a few azalea leaves can irritate your dog’s mouth and cause subsequent vomiting and diarrhoea. In severe cases, azaleas can cause a drop in blood pressure, coma and even death in dogs.

2. Chrysanthemum: Any plant in the chrysanthemum family is toxic for your dog. The plants contain many compounds that are particularly irritating and dangerous to dogs. Common symptoms of mum ingestion include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling and incoordination.

3. Foxglove: Every part of the foxglove plant is toxic to your dog, from the seeds to the leaves and the flowers. It is best to keep your dog well away from these plants because ingesting them can cause cardiac failure and even death.

4. Holly: A shrub with dog poisonous berries that cause intense vomiting, diarrhea, depression.

5. Iris: If your dog eats irises, they may salivate, vomit, drool, have diarrhoea or lose energy. This is because the iris contains several compounds that are toxic to dogs. Irises can also cause skin irritation.

6. Ivy: Hedera Helix, more commonly known as English ivy, contains both a naturally occurring steroid known as sapogenin as well as polyacetylene compounds. Both of these naturally occurring chemicals can be irritating to the skin and mucus membranes if chewed or swallowed. All parts of the ivy plant contain the toxins, but they are most concentrated in the leaves.

7. Lillies: While not all types of lilies are highly toxic to dogs, the majority of lilies can cause an upset tummy or other uncomfortable reactions.

8. Poinsetta: Typical symptoms of this dog Christmas plant, if ingested, includes stomach irritation, skin irritation, plus mouth and eye irritation. Other signs include head-shaking, salivation or drooling, or trying to rub the mouth or eyes with the paws.

9. Tulips: The tulip bulb itself is a dog poisonous plant. Symptoms include gastrointestinal problems, drooling, appetite loss, nervous system problems, depression, diarrhoea, appetite loss and convulsions.

10. Yew: This is a highly toxic dog poison plant that can cause death in dogs. The toxin taxine is in Yew, which causes problems such as heart problems, weakness, trembling, a lack of coordination and respiratory problems.

Common Foods which are dangerous for dogs to ingest (some of these might surprise you!):

1. Alcohol: Alcohol has the same effect on a dog’s liver and brain that it has on people, but it takes a lot less to hurt your dog. Just a little beer, spirit, wine, or food with alcohol in it can be bad. It can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, coordination problems, breathing problems, coma, even death. The smaller your dog, the worse it can be.

2. Avocado: The leaves, seed and bark of the plant contain persin which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs. If consumed whole, the seed can become stuck in the intestines or stomach, and obstruction could be fatal.

3. Bones: Although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, they can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and block or penetrate the soft gastrointestinal tract, causing serious damage, infection and in severe cases death.

4. Caffeine: Keep your dog away from cocoa, chocolate, colas, and energy drinks. Caffeine is also in some cold medicines and pain killers. Caffeine can cause problems with both the heart and the neurological system so if in doubt, get your dog to the vet.

5. Chocolate: The dangerous ingredient in chocolate is theobromine. It's in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous types are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Chocolate can cause a dog to vomit and have diarrhoea. It can also cause heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death.

6. Grapes and Raisins: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Even a small amount can make a dog sick. Vomiting, lethargy and weakness are some of the initial signs but the kidney damage occurs quickly but is much slower to repair.

7. Onions and Garlic: all types of onion and garlic, whether dried, raw or powdered, should be kept away from your dog. They damage red blood cells, causing anaemia, weakness, vomiting, and breathing problems.

8. Peaches & Plums: The seeds from these fruits can cause a blockage or obstruction in the gut. They also contain cyanide, which is poisonous to people and dogs. People know not to eat them. Dogs don't.

9. Raw eggs, meat or fish: Raw eggs, meat and fish can have bacteria that causes food poisoning e.g., E-Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter etc. Raw pork, beef, and lamb can contain worms or worm eggs, which are normally killed during the cooking process. Feeding your dog raw meat products puts them at substantial risk of consuming dangerous parasites which can cause severe symptoms. Some fish such as salmon, trout, shad, or sturgeon can also have a parasite that causes "fish disease" or "salmon poisoning disease." The first signs are vomiting, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. Fully cook eggs/ meat/ fish to kill any bacteria, protozoa or worms that may be present.

10. Xylitol: Sweeties (some brands), chewing- gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. It can cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Early symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and coordination problems. Eventually, your dog may have seizures. Liver failure can happen within just a few days.

Human Medicines or Supplements:

In the same way as we are all aware about keeping medicines and supplements out of the reach of children, it is important that we are ensure they are kept out of the reach of our pets too. There are a variety of symptoms we can expect when a dog accidentally consumes a human medicine, and it will be dependent upon the effect the drug has been designed to induce in people, for example increasing or decreasing blood pressure, increasing or decreasing blood sugars or insulin. It is important to never give your dog any over-the-counter medicine unless your vet tells you to. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine, but they can cause serious illness in dogs.

The take home message is be aware (know the common poisons for pets), be careful where you leave or store these items and if your dog accidentally eats any of them, get veterinary advice asap!

Guide to adopting a rescue dog

With the exception of my first ever dog, when I was aged 10, I have only ever acquired rescue dogs. It is important to think very carefully about where you are going to source a new dog, and the reasons contributing to that decision. For example:

• The age of the dog you would like.

• The breed or type and size of dog you would like.

• Where you currently live- can you accommodate the dog comfortably within your home and do you have access to a garden or outdoor space, the dog can easily access.

• Do you have the knowledge, patience and time to train either a new puppy or a dog, who has previous life experience you may know very little about.

There is a huge amount to think about in making this decision. I would always advise talking it over with someone you can trust, who has the knowledge and expertise to give you honest advice (accepting that it may not be what you want to hear).

Your veterinary practice will hopefully be able to offer you advice clinics with one of their qualified veterinary nursing team, where you can discuss your thoughts on this. In the veterinary clinic we see dogs of all shapes and sizes. We also see them in one of the most stressful environments a dog can be in, so we can give you honest advice, based on our experience across a wide range of dog types.

If you opt to go through an animal charity or shelter- they vary quite considerably in the training and experience their staff have. Some of the charities are world leaders in canine welfare and behaviour, with both the resources and research to support their staff and services. Other charities are run by volunteers, who are passionate about dogs but working with far more limited resources. Some of the charities require home checks, questionnaires to be completed, training and trial days to be attended and a compulsory adoption fee to be paid. To be honest- the more rigorous the process, the better the organisation probably is. They appreciate that rescue dogs, in most cases, have already experienced less than ideal starts in life, often they have complex needs and require additional training/ patience/ understanding, so making sure the right dog goes to the right home is hugely important for everyone involved- the new owners, the charity and most importantly for the dog!

Quite often, rescue animals can appear fearful or unsettled in new environments and with new people. Sometimes people assume that this means they have been "abused" in some way. It is important to remember that lack of positive experiences and training can be just as harmful to psychological and social development in dogs, as being abused (physically/ mentally or through neglect). New or prospective owners need to be mindful of this and ensure they have the time, patience and empathy to work with the dog, to help them address any issues and learn how to feel safe and confident in new situations, with new people and with dogs and other species of animals too.

Getting a dog should hopefully be a 10-18 year commitment, for the duration of that dog's life, so you need to be clear that whatever life changes you hope to experience over that time period, fits in with your new dog and ensuring they too, get everything they need out of life. There are advantages to getting a young animal, perceived as a blank canvas, but remember that there are no guarantees- genetics and the experience of the dam (mother dog) whilst she is pregnant with her pups and in their first 6-8 weeks of life, while they live with the dam, are hugely important too. This is why the veterinary and dog welfare organisations are so cautious about commercially produced pups. It is very difficult to ensure the dam is healthy, happy and living in a rich, varied environment, if she is living in an enclosure on a puppy farm. Remember- lack of positive experience can be just as damaging as negative experiences. You ideally want your new dog to have come from a healthy, happy dam, irrespective of breed- crossbreeds make magnificent pet dogs too!

If you have children living in your household, or visiting regularly, you need to consider whether you will feel relaxed and comfortable having them living close to your new dog. Obviously we can train dogs to be comfortable around children (using desensitisation and counter conditioning); we can and should also train children to be safe and comfortable around dogs too- the younger this process starts the better. Children must be taught empathy for all animals and how to read dog behaviour and avoid making the dog feel threatened in any way, which will force them to react, irrespective of their breed or how "well behaved" they usually are. The truth is there is no such thing as a "child safe" dog, dogs and children should always be supervised by a 'competent' adult and that dogs sometimes need to be protected from children, as opposed the reverse.

Believe me, rescue dogs can be fabulous pets- every one of mine has come from a different background and has had unique personality and challenges too. Gaining their trust and seeing them truly happy is a wonderful feeling- but this is not a decision to be embarked on lightly. Do your homework, get specialist advice, either from your vet or from a suitably trained dog expert and go into this with your eyes wide open, accepting there may be bumps along the way, but they can be so worth it!

Good luck & enjoy!

Halloween- Treats no Tricks Please?!?

In my native Scotland, we go "guising" at Halloween- children dress-up in fancy dress costumes, visit their neighbours and do a "party piece," sing a song, tell a joke, do a wee dance or magic trick, in return for sweeties, tangerines/apples and on occasion a small amount of pocket- money. There is no trick as an alternative to giving treats- it's a positive experience for the children and the households they visit!

Please do give a thought to the animals living both inside and outside of people's homes this Halloween!

Scary People

Cats, dogs, rabbits, horses and other companion animals, who are normally really well socialised with children, may be apprehensive and then anxious meeting "sugar rush" children, full of squealing excitement and with painted faces and weird and wonderful costumes on. When the only options are to freeze, run away and hide or "ask/ bark/ hiss" to get the children to back off and give them space- many pets might be misunderstood and potentially admonished for reacting negatively. You and I know that the children mean no harm- but if your pet doesn't know that, they are going to want to scarper or vocalise to create a safe distance between themselves and the "scary person or people."

Safe & Happy Place

Make sure you think about where your pets are going to be safe, quiet and comfortable, if you are expecting brightly coloured and noisy visitors to your home. Make sure they have some interesting toys, chews or food dispensing games to keep them entertained. If you have access to lovely appeasing pheromones (Adaptil/ Feliway/ Rabbit Appeasing Pheromone) please do plug them in or spray them on bedding or bandanas.

Pet Costumes

I am personally not a great fan of dressing pets up- I would be much happier dressing up myself and allowing my pets to be "au naturale" but still participating in the fun and treats. If your pet particularly enjoys dressing up- please make sure the clothing is not heavy, tight or restrictive in any way. If they struggle when you put it on, and have their heads and tails down, or spend their time trying to get it off, please remove, accepting it's just not for them. If they appear to enjoy it, not minding it being put on and possibly enjoying the additional attention they get- then fair enough.

Chocolate & Sweeties

Please remember that dogs and cats should never be fed "normal or non- pet friendly" chocolate or sweets. The chemicals in both (Theobromine/ Xylitol) are toxic for animals. Instead- treat them with their favourite biscuits or pet friendly treats instead.

Fireworks

Animals both indoors and outside (remember the livestock in the fields and wild birds/ foxes/ rabbits) exposed to the noise from fireworks, without any understanding that we humans consider them "entertaining!" Never let off fireworks anywhere near animals, of any kind. If your pets are indoors, put them in a room away from direct exposure to fireworks, away from conservatories or patio doors; play a loud movie or music to distract them, treat them to nice things to eat or their favourite games instead, to try and turn the whole thing into a positive rather than negative experience. Plan your dog walks for earlier in the day, before dark, so they only need out for a quick loo break when it's dark. Select routes away from planned public firework displays. Please keep dogs on lead- as if they are off lead and startled, they could run off or get into bother (risk of getting hit by a car in panic).

Medications and Anti- Anxiety supplements

There are some things you can buy, over- the counter- or online which might help? I mentioned pheromones, which are great, and completely safe. There are some others you can look up including Zylkene (milk protein casein) and products containing L- Tryptophan. There are also licensed "panicolytic" medications your vet can advise you on, including Sileo, Xanax, Pexion and longer- term anti- anxiety medications such as Reconcile, Clomicalm and Selgian. Don't leave it until the last minute- book in to see your vet asap if you think your pet needs help coping during the firework season.

Have fun & make sure your pets stay safe and happy too!