What's safe and not safe?

Hi all,

I have 2 dachshunds, one is a little over 1 year old and the other 3 months younger.

Well, my girl dachshunds (the older one) LOVES when we rip the grass and throw it in the air. She hops like a kangaroo and tries to catch it. She loves eating grass.

She also likes eating leaves and branches.

Recently, she's had a fascination for finding rocks. I've gotten her away from them and always tell her to leave it when she finds one. So she sees me throw it through the water drain and I tell her no. She understands this.

The question I pose is this... what things in nature is safe for them to eat? Leaves, grass, branches, wood, etc etc?

I want to make sure that both my pups stay safe with their diet. Would appreciate your help.

[Chrisanne]

Well... my dogs eat sticks, leaves, grass and such and they do just fine. The rocks are definately not good though.

[Dena]

Plants Which Are Potentially Poisonous
Jennifer Prince, DVM
Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.


Pets, especially puppies and kittens, tend to explore their world by putting everything in their mouth. This may help them learn about their environment, but it can also be harmful. Many plants are dangerous. Some may cause vomiting or diarrhea while others may cause organ failure and death. Pet owners should seriously take the responsibility of keeping pets away from dangerous plants.

Below, we have provided a list of some of the more common poisonous plants. This is not an all-inclusive list. The same plant may also have different common names depending on the area of the country in which one resides. Every pet owner should know what plants are in and around his/her house.

If you think your pet has chewed on or eaten one of these plants, please contact your veterinarian, animal emergency clinic, or the poison control center for advice. The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center hotline numbers are as follows:

1-900-443-0000 ($45.00 per case). The charge is billed directly to the caller's phone.
1-888-4ANI-HELP or 1-888-426-4435 ($45.00 per case). The charge is billed to caller's credit card only.

A-B

Aloe Vera
Amaryllis
Apple (seeds)
Apricot (pit)
Arrowhead
Asparagus Fern
Avocado
Autumn Crocus
Azalea

Baneberry
Begonia
Bird of Paradise
Black Locust
Black Walnut
Bleeding Heart
Boston Ivy


C

Caladium
California Poppy
Calla Lily
Carnation
Castor Bean
Ceriman
Cherry (seeds, wilting leaves, and pit)
Chinese Evergreen
Chives
Christmas Rose
Chrysanthemum
Clematis
Corn Plant
Crocus
Croton
Crown of Thorns
Crown Vetch
Cyclamen


D-F

Daffodil Delphinium
Devil's Ivy
Dicentra
Dieffenbachia
Donkey Tail
Dumb Cane
Dutchman's Breeches

Easter Lily
Elderberry
Elephant Ears
English Ivy
Eucalyptus

Fiddle-leaf Fig
Florida Beauty
Four O'Clock
Foxglove
Foxtail
Fruit Salad Plant


G-I

German Ivy
Gladiola

Hemlock
Holly
Honeysuckle
Hurricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea

Iris
Ivy


J-L

Jack in the Pulpit
Japanese Yew
Jerusalem Cherry
Jimson Weed
Jonquil

Kalanchoe

Lamb's quarter
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurel
Lily
Lily of the Valley
Lobelia
Locoweed
Lords-and-Ladies
Lupine


M-N

Marigold (Marsh Marigold)
Marijuana
Mayapple
Mexican Breadfruit
Milkweed
Mistletoe
Monkshood
Morning Glory
Mother-in-Law plant
Mother-in-Law's Tongue
Mountain Laurel
Mushrooms

Narcissus
Nephthytis
Nightshade


O-P

Oak Tree (buds and acorns)
Oleander
Onion

Peace Lily
Peach (wilting leaves and pits)
Pencil Tree
Philodendron
Pigweed
Poinsettia
Poison Ivy
Poison Hemlock
Poison Oak
Poison Sumac
Poppy
Potato (all green parts)
Pothos
Precatory Bean


Q-S

Rhododendron
Rhubarb
Ribbon Cactus
Rubber Tree

Sago Palm
Schefflera
Shamrock Plant
Snake Plant
Snow on the Mountain
Sorghum
Star of Bethlehem
Stinging Nettle
Stinkweed
Swiss Cheese Plant


T-V

Taro Vine
Toadstools
Tobacco
Tomato Plant (entire plant except ripe fruit)

Umbrella Tree


W-Z

Water Hemlock
Weeping Fig
Wisteria

Yew


References and Further Reading


Plunkett, Signe DVM. Emergency Procedures for the Small Animal Veterinarian. W.B. Saunders Company. Philadelphia, PA; 1993.

Murphy, Micheal DVM. A Field Guide to Common Animal Poisons. Iowa State University Press. Ames, Iowa; 1996.

Source

[Ravnos]

I swear, my beagle eats more plants, leaves, dirt, rocks, twigs, dryer lint, and so forth, than he eats dog food. Other than the occasional period of constipation, he really hasn't had any problems. Just make sure your yard isn't treated with any fertilizers or pesticides... and like Dena suggests, double check, and make sure theres nothing harmful out there. An Audubon field guide should be a good source for pictures and info on plants in your area.

Rav

Thank you all! You've been very informative!

[Dena]

Macadamia Nuts
Jennifer Prince, DVM
Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.


Toxin
Unknown

Source
Macadamia Nuts

General Information
Macadamia nuts are the fruit of the trees of Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla. These trees are indigenous to Madagascar and Australia. They were introduced into Hawaii and California about 100 years ago. Symptoms usually start within 3-12 hours of ingesting the nuts, and tend to resolve over 24 hours.

Toxic Dose
0.9 grams per pound of body weight.

Signs
Lethargy, vomiting, and hyperthermia are initial symptoms with progression to ataxia or hind-limb paresis. Also seen are tremors, abdominal pain, lameness, joint stiffness, and pale mucous membranes.

Immediate Action
Induce vomiting if ingestion was within the past hour. Seek veterinary attention.

Veterinary Care
General treatment: The induction of vomiting may be continued, gastric lavage is performed, and activated charcoal administered, especially if the macadamia nuts were covered with chocolate.

Supportive treatment: IV fluids are administered to prevent dehydration. The animal will be monitored and treated for hyperthermia, and the pet will be protected from injury during the ataxia/paresis.

Specific treatment: Unavailable.

Prognosis
Good.


Source

[Dena]

I never knew about Macadamian Nuts!

Sorry to be a pest, now another question that is related...

What about things in the home or food?

I was told chocolate is very bad for dogs. Is that true? What effects do they suffer from? Also, is vanilla pudding bad for them?

What other "human" foods should I avoid?

[Dena]

Foods Which are Toxic

Common food items can be poisonous to dogs and puppies, sometimes in very small amounts. Food items, especially those listed below, should not be given to dogs, and should be stored out of their reach. Care should be taken while preparing and serving foods to assure a dog will not be tempted to "taste test" them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Articles:

Chocolate and Caffeine
Garbage Intoxication/Food Poisoning
Grapes/Raisins
Macadamia Nuts
Mushroom
Onion and Garlic


Source

Go to source link and each listed food has its own article.

Ahh, I didn't know this.. my dogs have eaten grapes and onions. Hmm.. thanks for the info! I truly appreciate it!

[Dena]

No prob!

[Chrisanne]

I have never heard of vanilla pudding... but chocolate is definately bad. Usually it is just the bakers chocolate that is the most lethal, but in small dogs i think any chocolate is bad.

[Dena]

The vanilla pudding might cause some diarhea or loose stools due to dairy content. Your best bet is not to feed your dogs anything that isn't specifically for dogs. I know its no fun and it is so hard when those little faces stare up at you so lovingly *sigh*

[Chrisanne]

It is hard, but for their best interest. The only thing people my dogs get is the occasional egg for their skin and coat. Hubby likes to try to sneak them gravy form the roast, but i won't let him. I am such a meanine.

[Christi]

Raw potatoes are also dangerous. And grapes are VERY bad.. there's another post around here somewhere - I'll find it.

Here it is.