Poisonous foods NOT to feed your dogs

How dangerous are grapes and raisins to dogs?

It only takes a very small amount of grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants to cause severe issues in some dogs and can even result in death. There is no correlation between the amount of fruit eaten and the size of dog and research has not yet revealed which part of the grape or raisin is toxic to our dogs. Vitis Vinifera is the chemical found within grapes and raisins that can cause serious damage to their kidneys.

Whilst one dog may have eaten a handful and been fine, it may only take eating a single raisin to prove fatal in another dog.  For this reason, it’s not advisable to feed any grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants to your dog.  Be aware of any products such as fruitcakes, muffins or mince pies containing these fruits and to store foods containing these ingredients well out of reach of your dog.

If you’re baking at home with these potentially toxic ingredients be extra careful and do not leave children alone with your dogs in the kitchen or the food cupboard within reach of your potentially greedy dog.

We can easily metabolise theobromine but it is not the same for our dogs. They metabolise theobromine much more slowly, causing it to build up to toxic levels in their system.

How much chocolate is poisonous to a dog?

The level of toxicity of chocolate to your dog depends on the type of chocolate e.g white, milk, dark chocolate, the amount consumed and your dog’s size. In general a larger dog could consume more chocolate than a small dog before suffering ill effects. Cocoa powder is particularly concentrated and if your dog has licked it, book an emergency visit with your vet.

What are the symptoms if my dog eats chocolate or licks cocoa powder?

Initially, chocolate poisoning will usually present with severe hyperactivity.

So if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate and they are hyperactive, panting excessively and unable to settle please call your vet. In extreme cases large amounts of theobromine can produce muscle tremors, seizures, an irregular heartbeats, internal bleeding, organ damage or a heart attack.

Use this handy chocolate toxicity calculator if you are concerned

What is carob and is it safe for dogs?

Carob, also known as St. John’s bread, is a sweet and nutty-flavoured pod that and grows on trees is often used as a substitute for chocolate. It is a popular and natural alternative to chocolate for your dog as it is a sweet and dogs enjoy its taste and texture. Unlike chocolate, carob is safe for dogs to consume as it contains no theobromine.

It is packed with essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to your dog's overall health. Carob is low in fat and is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are important for strong bones and teeth. Furthermore, carob is loaded with antioxidants, promoting a healthy immune system for your dog. It is used in our Solo Vegetal dry food which is what makes Solo Vegetal so delicious!

Onions, Chives and Leeks

Onions, chives and leeks (Allium species):

We all love to cook with onion for ourselves (especially being plant-based), but when onions are ingested in sufficient amounts by our pets the chemicals in these foods have the ability to destroy their red blood cells causing severe anaemia due to the breakdown of red blood cells.

Eating onions of more than 0.5% of your dog’s body weight are potentially toxic. Cats and some Japanese breeds of dog such as the Akita are more sensitive to the toxic effects than most. Symptoms are generally secondary to the anaemia and include weakness, lethargy and pale coloured gums.

Signs and Symptoms:

Your dog may have an onion smell on its breath, be lethargic, have pale gums (due to the anaemia), and pant excessively. Book an appointment with your vet if you notice and smell these signs and stop your dog from eating these foods or raiding waste and recycling bins.