6 Toxic Items That You Should Keep Away From Your Fluffy Friend

Dogs are man’s best friend, and they deserve to be treated that way. But sometimes we inadvertently make them sick by giving them things they shouldn’t have. Dogs have a much higher tolerance for certain foods than humans do, but there are still some items that should never go in their mouths. If you haven’t already, it’s important to learn about the six toxic items that can make your furry friend very sick. This article will teach you about those six items and what you can do to keep them away from your pup.

1. Plants

Plants and flowers are a great way to add color to your home and improve your gardening skills, but some of them are poisonous to dogs. If your dog eats a plant that’s poisonous, he could experience vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures. To be safe, always keep an eye on your dog when he’s outside and make sure he doesn’t eat any plants that could potentially harm him. Some of the most dangerous plants for dogs include lilies, tulips, and azaleas. In addition, if you were asking yourself “is lemongrass safe for dogs”, the answer is sadly no. Although it would need to be ingested in large quantities for it to be lethal, it’s still best to keep this plant away from your pup.

2. Alcohol

You may enjoy a cold beer on a hot day or a glass of wine with dinner, but alcohol is poison for dogs. Ingesting even small amounts of alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, coma, and even death. That’s because dog livers are incapable of processing alcohol, making them far more vulnerable to liver damage or alcohol poisoning than humans are. If you’re hosting a party and your dog happens to wander into the room, be sure to keep all alcoholic beverages out of reach. And if your dog happens to get into any alcohol that’s been left lying around, contact your veterinarian immediately.

3. Human Medications

It can be tempting to share your medications with your dog, especially if he seems to be in pain. But human medications can be very harmful to dogs. Some common over-the-counter medications that are poisonous to dogs include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin. Prescription medications can also be dangerous, so it’s important to keep all medications in a safe place where your dog can’t reach them. However, some human medications can be given in small doses to dogs with the approval of a veterinarian. Never attempt to give your dog any medication without first consulting with a professional.

4. Caffeine Products

Coffee, tea, and energy drinks are all popular caffeine products that can be harmful to dogs. Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause restlessness, panting, vomiting, and even tremors in dogs. If ingested in large doses, caffeine can be deadly. It’s important to keep all caffeine products away from your pup and to make sure he doesn’t consume any coffee grounds or tea leaves. If you notice your dog has consumed any caffeine, contact your veterinarian immediately.

5. Chocolate

Chocolate is a popular food that can be harmful to dogs. In fact, chocolate is one of the most common causes of canine poisoning. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. If ingested, theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death. In addition, consuming chocolate can also lead to pancreatitis in dogs. To keep your pup safe, always store chocolate out of reach and avoid giving him any chocolate-flavored foods or treats.

6. Tobacco Products

Tobacco products are harmful to both humans and animals. Cigarettes, cigars, tobacco leaves, and chewing tobacco all contain nicotine, which is poisonous to dogs. The butts themselves are responsible for 25% of the total nicotine content. Nicotine can cause vomiting, tremors, and even cardiac arrest in dogs. In addition, it can also cause hypersalivation, fast breathing, and diarrhea, which are all signs that appear quickly (15-30 minutes). At high enough doses, muscle weakness, twitching, collapse, coma, and even death can occur. Dogs that have consumed any tobacco products, including multiple cigarettes or cigar butts, should be taken to a veterinarian for medical attention and decontamination.

Dogs are one of the most loyal and loving companions a person could ask for. They deserve to be treated with love, care, and respect at all times. To help keep your pup safe from harm’s way, always remember these 6 toxic items that should be kept away from them: plants (especially lilies), alcohol, human medications, caffeine products, chocolate, and tobacco products. If you think your dog has ingested any of these items, contact your veterinarian immediately.