Toxic household hazards for dogs

Toxic Household Hazards for Dogs

Are you aware of all of the toxic household hazards for dogs?

March 15th rings in the National Poison Prevention Week which was established by U.S. Congress on September 16, 1961.

Ever since, the event has reoccurred every year during the third week in March.

In honor of this event, I have attempted to compile a list of toxic household hazards for dogs.

It is by no means complete ~ so please feel free to add additional information in the comment section below this blog post!

Toxic Household Hazards for Dogs

Keep medications and human foods out of reach of your four-legged family members ~ the same applies to insecticides, rodenticides, and human dietary supplements.

Toxic Household Hazards, Foods & Plants for Dogs

Toxic Foods For Dogs

  • Grapes
  • Raisins
  • Onions & Garlic

Update on the garlic:

Fed in moderation, minced garlic IS actually very healthy for our dogs. Please read more in my Myth Buster article mentioned below:

Myth Buster: Garlic IS good for dogs, after all!

  • Avocados
  • Mushrooms
  • Nuts
  • Citrus Fruits
  • Chocolate
  • Anything with sugar
  • Bread & Cookie Dough
  • Cooked Bones (can splinter)
  • Spoiled Food (make sure your dog doesn’t have access to the trash)

Chocolate Toxicity Meter For Dogs

Check out the Chocolate Toxicity Meter here to find out how a certain amount of chocolate affects your dog!

Toxic Drinks For Dogs

  • Alcohol
  • Coffee, Tea (anything containing caffeine)
  • Hot Chocolate

Toxic Plants For Dogs

  • Ivy
  • Lilies
  • Azaleas
  • Chrysanthemums
  • Marijuana
  • Poinsettia
  • Tulips
  • Rhododendron
  • Aloe

More Toxic Household Hazards For Dogs

  • Human Medicines
  • Insecticides, Lawn treatments, & Chemicals in general
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Automotive Fluids
  • Holiday Decorations
  • Small tempting objects (toys, craft supplies, etc)
  • Electrical cords ~ should be well secured, especially around young dogs.
  • Candles
  • Tobacco

Pet Poison Helpline

Call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 in case you suspect poisoning in your pet(s) ~ they consist of a team of certified veterinarians & toxicology experts and are available 24/7, 365 days every year to pet owners throughout the U.S., Canada, & the Carribean.

Side note: The Pet Poison Helpline also assists in the treatment of avian, small mammals, large animal and exotic species.

Due to a lack of public funding, a $49 per incident fee applies, and covers the initial consultation as well as all follow-up calls (payable by credit card).

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

You can also reach out to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435.

Their toxicology hotline offers advice & treatment options 24/7, 365 days.

There is a charge of $65 per case which is charged to your credit card (you MUST have a credit card in order to be “seen”).

Human Foods Ok To Share With Dogs

  • Bananas
  • Cranberries & Blueberries (great antioxidants)
  • Apples (without the core)
  • Melons (Watermelon without seeds, Cantaloupe, honeydew)
  • Pineapple
  • Carrots
  • Green Beans
  • Bell Peppers
  • Cottage cheese & yogurt in small quantities (some dogs donโ€™t do well on dairy)
  • Peanut Butter (high-protein treat)
  • Pumpkin puree (helps with constipation & diarrhea)
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Cooked, unseasoned salmon (high in Omega-3 fatty acids, great for healthy skin & coat)
  • Olive Oil (rich in Omega-3 fatty acids)
  • Winter Squash (rich in Omega-3 fatty acids)
  • Cooked Pasta
  • Eggs
  • Air-popped popcorn with no salt or butter
  • Lean meat

Exceptions To The Rule

Also, keep in mind that there is always that one exception to the rule ~ not every dog tolerates any and all of the above mentioned human treats.

My pups, for example, donโ€™t do well on chicken and rice, and also donโ€™t do well on dairy products.

Itโ€™s a matter of trial and error ~ just try out tiny bits of whatever goody youโ€™re trying to introduce, and see how your pup does on it.

If you’re unsure about a specific ingredient, you can always do a dog allergy test with your pup.

Update regarding the chicken: Since I started feeding my dogs raw dog food, they no longer have any problems with chicken!

My rule of thumb:  Provide plenty of breed specific exercise to ensure you have calm, balanced dogs.

Remember that prevention is key in keeping your pups out of trouble as well: Don’t leave anything hazardous within your dog’s reach.

Especially teething puppies should be provided with safe chewing options such as antlers, bully sticks and Kong toys, but many older dogs also enjoy chewing.

After all, chewing is a normal dog behavior. 

Please remember that I’d love to hear about any additional unsafe and/or safe foods for dogs in the comment section below this blog post!

Related Reading:

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Barbara launched her blog K9sOverCoffee in 2014 and has been feeding her dogs raw dog food since 2015. As a former professional dog walker, she’s passionate about balancing species-appropriate exercise with healthy dog nutrition. Barbara is raw dog food nutrition certified from “Dogs Naturally Magazine” and the author of several e-books about minimally processed, balanced raw dog food.


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18 responses to “Toxic Household Hazards for Dogs”

  1. Golden Daily Scoop Avatar

    Great reminders! Thanks for sharing!

    1. K9sOverCoffee Avatar

      Thanks! It was a good reminder for myself while brainstorming for the post.

  2. Flea Avatar
    Flea

    Wow! Comprehensive lists! Thank you!

    1. K9sOverCoffee Avatar

      Thank you, Flea, glad you found them helpful!

  3. Talent Hounds Avatar
    Talent Hounds

    Great lists. It’s crazy how dangerous our houses can be.

    1. K9sOverCoffee Avatar

      Thank you ~ there really are a ton of lurking dangers.

  4. Tenacious Little Terrier Avatar
    Tenacious Little Terrier

    I went to a first aid workshop for pets and they told us that in the Pacific Northwest, compost is a big danger as well. Because mold grows on it and then the dogs eat it.

    1. K9sOverCoffee Avatar

      That’s an excellent point!! Thank you for sharing it!

  5. Chelsea Price Avatar
    Chelsea Price

    I didn’t realize there were so many dangerous plants – yikes! Super helpful post; thank you!

    1. K9sOverCoffee Avatar

      Thanks so much, Chelsea! I love the idea of asking for a pet-safe bouquet when sending a pet owner flowers!

  6. Jackie Bouchard Avatar
    Jackie Bouchard

    Great post. I’m sure lots of folks don’t realize so many things around the house can be dangerous! Luckily Rita barely eats most foods – she’s SO picky, so I’m not too worried about her eating anything weird. Sometimes it’s good to have a super picky dog!

    1. K9sOverCoffee Avatar

      Thank you ~ your Rita girl sounds like one smart pup ๐Ÿ˜‰

  7. Jennifer Costello Avatar
    Jennifer Costello

    What a great and important list! Xylitol is one that we found a lot of people aren’t aware of and one of the reasons why my kids were never allowed to have gum that contained it.

    1. K9sOverCoffee Avatar

      Thank you, Jennifer! Yes, great point & reminder about Xylitol!! Thank you!

  8. Kate Obrien Avatar
    Kate Obrien

    Thanks for the comprehensive list…I hate that there are so many things that are so harmful.

    1. K9sOverCoffee Avatar

      Thank you, Kate, there really seems to be something in every area of the house/garage. I thought of something else that I hadn’t considered before: make-up!

  9. Cathy C Bennett Avatar
    Cathy C Bennett

    Incredible list. Will definitely share this post,most informative, and since there are so many things to be aware of – everyone should know. Thanks for putting this together!

    1. K9sOverCoffee Avatar

      Thank you so much for your positive feedback, Cathy, and for sharing the post ๐Ÿ™‚

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