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Nathalie Sari - Tiertraining & Verhaltensberatung

This article was written by TOBALIE in cooperation with Nathalie Sari - Tiertraining & Verhaltensberatung

Not everything that is healthy for us humans, it is the same for our animals. Unfortunately, some things can be toxic to animals and have serious consequences. A list with all the dangerous things for pets.

Food

Chocolate

More precisely, cocoa contains theobromine, which dogs and cats cannot break down. Rule of thumb: lethal dose of theobromine is between 100 and 300 mg/kg body weight. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for the animal. Dark chocolate contains approx. 16mg/g cocoa powder even 26g/g. A 100g bar can therefore be life-threatening for small animals. Symptoms: Circulatory problems, tremors, diarrhoea, increased pulse, restlessness, seizures and respiratory arrest.

Grapes and raisins

It is not yet known exactly which active ingredient is responsible for the poisoning. However, even 10g/kg of body weight can lead to symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, increased calcium levels and kidney failure.

Avocados

Persin is present in the whole avocado plant. This may cause diarrhea, general weakness and agitation, cough, shortness of breath, heart muscle damage, and death. The high fat content can also cause pancreatitis. If swallowed, the nucleus can lead to intestinal obstruction.

Onions, garlic, chives and other leeks

Onion and garlic plants contain N-propyldisulphide and allylpropylsulphide (sulphur compounds), which destroy the red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the blood (haemolysis).

Coffee, black and green tea

It contains caffeine (especially methylxanthine), theophylline and theobromine, which cannot be metabolized by the animals. Even 80mg/kg body weight caffeine can be fatal. 100ml coffee contains 60-100mg black tea about half. Symptoms include tachycardia, muscle tremor, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney problems, neurological damage and life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances.

Liver

This is a good vitamin A supplier. In small quantities, exceeding the requirement leads to hypervitaminosis (oversupply). If too much cod liver or cod liver oil is fed, skin problems and fur loss often occur. Also vomiting, muscle coordination disorders and bone changes can be the result of too much vitamin A.

Pork

If the pork is infected with Aujetzky’s virus and fed raw or poorly cooked (under 60°), this can have fatal consequences. The first symptoms are itching, vomiting, agitation, loss of appetite, fever, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Death may occur 24-36 hours later. Pork sausage or ham are also not suitable for animals. Raw pork meat can also be contaminated with trichia, tapeworms, salmonella or toxoplasmosis.

Bones

These are not genrally poisonous , but can be life-threatening. Bones should never be fed cooked because they splinter and lead to internal bleeding or intestinal obstruction. In particular, the risk of splintering should not be taken into account for tubular bones. Too many bones can lead to constipation and gastrointestinal obstruction. There is also a risk of damaging the teeth, mouth or oesophagus.

Raw or dried poultry meat

Raw meat, especially from poultry, must be cooked well because of the risk of salmonella. The Fanconi syndrome can be triggered primarily by animal snacks from China. This leads to a progressive renal dysfunction .

Raw eggs

Here, too, there is a risk of salmonella infection. In addition, the avidin and trypsin inhibitors in the egg white hinder the digestion of important nutrients (absorption of vitamins B7 and H).

Alcohol

The ethanol it contains leads to alcohol poisoning even in small quantities. Symptoms are vomiting, liver damage, coordination disorders, shortness of breath, coma, death.

Nuts

Macadamia nuts contain amygdalin, which blocks cell respiration and can be life-threatening. Already 4 nuts can lead to vomiting, fever, paralysis and cramps. Almonds contain prussic acid, which acts as a nerve poison. Walnuts should only be given ripe and without shells. Unripe nuts can be infested with the fungus Penicillium crustosum, which forms a toxin called Roquefortin C and, like strychnine, leads to severe seizures and vomiting.

Raw nightshade plants (potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, …)

These contain solanine (which is found mainly in green parts), which damages the mucous membranes. Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps and respiratory paralysis.

Raw legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas, …)

These contain phasin, which inhibits protein biosynthesis in the small intestine and leads to vomiting, abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea. By boiling, the phasin is rendered harmless.

Milk

Although these are not toxic for the animals, adult animals cannot digest the lactose (lactose intolerance). This requires the enzyme lactase, which the animals do not possess, if they dont drink milk after their birth. This leads to flatulence, diarrhoea and vomiting. Dairy products, such as natural yoghurt, cheese, are tolerated by most animals.

Energy drinks (Cola, Redbull, caffeinated drinks)

The dangerous ingredients are caffeine and methylaxanthine, which can lead to high blood pressure and pulse, constricted blood vessels, decreased nerve threshold in the brain, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, heart rhythm disturbances and death.

Fruit stones

Especially stone fruit stones (cherries, plums, apples, apricots, …) contain a lot of prussic acid. If the pits are bitten and swallowed, the toxins are released, which lead to severe neurological disorders.

Xylitol (birch sugar)

This leads to a strong release of insulin in animals, which can lead to dangerous hypoglycaemia (hypoglycaemia) when the blood sugar level drops. Liver damage and liver failure can result. First signs are vomiting, weakness, movement disorders and seizures. 3-4g/kg body weight is considered a life-threatening dose.

Seasoned, smoked or preserved foods

Animals should not be allowed to eat spices. These put a strain on the liver and kidneys. The senses are strongly stimulated and diarrhoea and vomiting occur.

Rotten food

Although animals tolerate more than humans due to their stomach acid, half-full bowls should still be emptied and spoiled food should never be fed. They are a breeding ground for bacteria and in the worst case can lead to food poisoning.

Plants

Houseplants

– Agave
– Aloe vera
– Cyclamen
– Amaryllis
– Azalea and Rhododendron
– Begonia
– Birch fig,all ficus species
– Colouredroot (Kaladium)
– Calla
– Christ stars, Christ thorn
– Chrysanthemum
– Chilli
– Clivie
– Datura
– Dieffenbachia
– Dragon tree
– Ivy
– Ivy tail
– Single leaf
– Flamingo flower
– Window leaf
– Geranium
– Rubber tree
– Sweetheart
– Hydrangea
– Hyacinths
– Kalachoe
– Lilies
– Mistletoe
– Oleander
– Orchids
– Passion flower
– Palm fern
– Philodendron
– Radial aria
– Yucca Palm
– Poinsettia
– Wonder tree (castor oil)

Gardenplants

– Blue monkshood
– Box
– Wood anemone
– Yew
– Angel trumpet
– Monkshood
– Thimble
– Lilac
– Honeysuckle
– Geranium
– Gladiolus
– Shower of gold
– Autumn crocus
– Hydrangea
– Cherry laurel
– Crocus
– Lily of the valley
– Poppy
– Daffodils
– Oleander
– Mushrooms
– Delphinium
– Rhododendron
– Giant hogweed
– Hemlock
– Celandine
– Daphne
– Thuja (Tree of Life)
– Tulips
– Belladonna
– Juniper
– Cedar

Common symptoms are apathy, blood in faeces, urine, vomit, salivary flow, cramps, tremors, coordination disorders, pale mucous membranes, liver and kidney damage, cardiac arrhythmia, shortness of breath, fainting, death.

There are, of course, many more poisonous plants. Always make sure that your animal doesn’t nibble on plants, especially cats tend to eat plants.

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Other things:

Cigarettes, cigarette butts and smoke

The nicotine it contains is toxic. Even 5-20g of dried tobacco can be fatal. 1 cigarette contains approx. 1g. Symptoms of nicotine poisoning are vomiting, cramps, salivation, movement disorders, tremor, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and circulatory collapse. Long-term exposure to cigarette smoke can also have significant health effects such as asthma, bronchitis and cancer.

Medicines

Medicines intended for humans can be toxic to animals. E.g. Aspirin: organ damage, fatal in high doses Paracetamol: gastric bleeding, liver damage Ibuprofen: disorientation, vomiting Diclofenac: vomiting, diarrhoea, bleeding. Medications should therefore always be kept tightly closed and out of reach. Speak any medicine you want to give your animal before with your veterinarian!

Cleaning agent

Cleaning agents can cause allergies. When soaps, washing powder, etc. are licked or even swallowed, the animals react, depending on the product, with vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, blisters and foam in front of the mouth, circulatory collapse, liver damage.

Slug pellets, plant fertilizers, pesticides

It contains among other things carbamates, organophosphates, metaldehyde, organ chloride compounds, which lead to shortness of breath, cough, diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps, paralysis, movement disorders, salivation, trembling, fever, cardiac arrhythmia up to death.

Rat poison

Often in the cellar or along house walls. Contains Strychnine, Brodifacoum, Warfin, Difenacoum, Clorphacion, Coumachlor. Blood clotting is blocked by the poison. Symptoms Delayed 2-4 days Sometimes also up to 2 weeks Breathing difficulties, tremors, cramps, internal bleeding, weakness, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, mucous membranes pale or bleeding, bleeding from all body orifices, until death.

essential oils

Use all essential oils in small quantities and diluted or hydrolates, as our animals smell much more intense. The following oils are dangerous to cats because they have difficulty metabolizing the terpenes and phenols they contain: Tea tree oil, eucalyptus, peppermint, cinnamon, oregano, conifer oils (fir, pine, etc), thyme, clove, citrus oils, wintergreen, basil, savory, bay, jasmine, etc.
Dogs: wintergreen, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, pine oil, tea tree oil, etc.
Apply essential oils best with an expert.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The symptoms of poisoning can therefore be different. Pay attention to whether your animal behaves differently and whether symptoms occur. Don’t wait too long. It’s better to have too much to do with the vet than too little. If you have seen what your animal has taken, take the packaging with you or take a photo and drive as fast as possible to the next veterinarian. Keep calm, keep your pet safe and call your vet or emergency vet. He or she can assess the situation and tell you what to do next. Please do not treat your pet yourself, in the worst case this can be fatal.

To avoid such a situation and the dangerous things, precautions are important. Stow everything well, which can be harmful for your animal. Train a termination signal e.g. “off”, animal trainers (Pet Map) will be happy to advise you. If you have a garden, pay attention to the means with which you work. Also at home keep an eye on the ingredients in cleaning agents. It is best to clean with a steam cleaner and use natural products.