If you’ve ever spent time watching your dog, you’ll notice just how curious our furry friends can be. They spend a lot of time following their nose and finding things we humans wouldn’t be able to. Unfortunately, this can mean they do find things they shouldn’t, and this can be a hazard for their health.
Along with their nose, they will use their mouth to explore further, and this is where things like accidental poisoning can occur. But don’t worry, as there are some common signs to look out for and ways to minimise the risk of this happening.
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You can’t stop your dog from being naturally curious, but with these tips, you’ll ensure they’ll avoid toxic substances that could make them seriously ill whether at home or out for a walk.
Common Household Toxins To Be Aware Of
Many everyday items within our homes can be unexpectedly toxic to dogs. Among the most dangerous are certain foods that we enjoy. If your dog does eat something poisonous, you may not see symptoms straight away. Common ones include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drooling, lethargy, and abnormal behaviour. As well as poisoning,it could be a sign of a foreign blockage in their system too, for example, if they eat the packaging that a food substance was in, such as chocolate in wrappers or a box.
If you suspect your dog has eaten something it shouldn’t have and been poisoned, speak to your vet immediately, even if no symptoms are showing yet. Here are some common foods to be aware of:
Chocolate – Many dog owners may be aware of the dangers of chocolate, not just for our waistlines but also for dogs. It contains theobromine which is highly toxic to dogs despite being so delicious for us.
Xylitol – You may not be familiar with the name, but it is an artificial sweetener found in chewing gum and sugar-free snacks. This can have a negative consequence for dogs when eaten, potentially causing liver failure and hypoglycaemia.
Onions and garlic – Whilst staples in many kitchens and key for many meals, this can lead to red blood cell damage if consumed by dogs.
Grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants – All of these make for a delicious snack or ingredients for baking but are not suitable for dogs. Any quantity of these can be toxic for dogs, and cooking and baking doesn’t reduce the risk, according to the RSPCA, potentially leading to kidney failure.
As well as food, household plants and other items in the home are another hidden danger:
Azaleas, Lilies, Daffodils and Tulips are among some of the highly toxic plants that can cause severe health problems if ingested in large amounts, as per the Blue Cross.
Cleaning products, including bleach and laundry detergents, contain harsh chemicals that are harmful if licked or swallowed.
Small items such as batteries and medicines should be kept well away from dogs. Vitamin D supplements are good for our health, but poisonous to dogs when excessive amounts are eaten.
What To Be Careful Of Outside The Home
A big part of a dog’s life is going outside in the garden or for walks, but with this comes the unpredictability of what they may find that could harm them. Just like in the home, they could find any number of poisonous substances, both artificial and natural, and some more obvious than others.
Pesticides and fertilisers – Among the most prevalent outdoor risks, these are commonly used in gardens and parks, which can be toxic if ingested. Be careful of weed and pest killers and other garden chemicals like slug and snail pellets.
Cocoa mulch – A by-product of chocolate, this contains theobromine and poses a risk similar to chocolate if eaten by dogs. You may find it outside as it is popular for landscaping.
Plants – As well as those used indoors, there are many other outdoor plants to be wary of. Horse chestnut, fungi, foxglove and ivy can all cause serious symptoms if ingested by your dog.
Conkers and acorns – Not only can they be a choking hazard, but they can lead to various symptoms of poisoning. Acorns have tannic acid, which in large amounts can cause kidney damage.
Food Waste – Unfortunately, some people are careless with their food waste, dumping it outside rather than putting it into bins. This means your dog can find all sorts of discarded food with various risks from small bones in discarded meat, to chocolate and other food.
To keep your pet safe outdoors, always keep an eye on them in unfamiliar areas and keep them on a lead to prevent them from wandering and following their nose out of your view.
What to Do Immediately
It’s best to remain calm and assess what has happened. Try to identify the substance ingested if possible, as this information will be critical for your vet to know when you call them. Remove any remaining toxic items from your pet’s reach to prevent them from eating any more.
Contact your vet or an emergency pet poison hotline immediately – the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) has an Animal Poison Line you can call. Quick communication is crucial when it comes to poisoning, so don’t wait if you are unsure or have not seen any symptoms yet. Your vet can then advise whether you should bring your dog in for treatment or perform any immediate first aid at home. Do not attempt to make your dog vomit, as this can sometimes cause more harm than good depending on the toxin involved.
When visiting the vet, bring any packaging or a sample of the toxin with you, if possible. This can help them make a faster and more accurate diagnosis which can potentially save your dog’s life.
How To Prevent Your Dog From Poisoning
Being vigilant is the best prevention, as sometimes it is difficult to keep an eye on what your dog is doing throughout the day.
Be sure to remove any potentially toxic items that your dog can easily reach. Store things like chocolate, onions and currants away in a cupboard they can’t reach or get into.
With plants, think about the types of household ones you want to have and try to avoid the toxic ones as much as possible. They may look and smell nice, but it can save you a lot of trouble if your dog becomes curious and eats them.
Secure all other potentially dangerous substances, such as medications and cleaning products.
Speak to other family members about the risks these substances pose to dogs. It’s a team effort, so making everyone aware of what you can and can’t feed to your dog will keep them healthy and happy.
Training your dog to understand commands such as “drop” or “leave it” can quickly prevent your dog from picking up toxic items.
As long as you keep in mind the hazards that are in the home and outside whether in the garden or out for a walk, you can avoid your dog from becoming seriously ill. The last thing you want is to see your furry friend in discomfort (or worse), so pet-proof your home and watch what they find when outside. If you are ever unsure about something your dog has eaten, remember to speak to your vet as soon as possible for peace of mind.
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