What’s Toxic to Our Pets? A Guide to Poisoning, Toxic Foods & Autumn Hazards

abbicory81

Oct 1

8 min read

What’s Toxic to Our Pets?

A Guide to Poisoning, Toxic Foods & Autumn Hazards.

This is a slightly different blog for me.

Usually, our Sniffari Adventures posts are full of muddy paws, wagging tails, adventures and a little bit of chaos. But this is one I feel very strongly about writing because it comes from personal experience.

I once lost a much-loved pet to poisoning.

Her name was Zoe, and she was a wonderful cat and a master hunter.

One day, she caught a rat that had unfortunately been poisoned.

We had no idea the rat had been exposed to poison until it was too late, and there was nothing we could do.

I still think about Zoe.

And that's why, with autumn arriving and conker season upon us here in the UK, I wanted to write something that could potentially help another pet owner recognise a danger before it's too late.

Because our pets don't know what's poisonous.

They don't read labels.

And dogs in particular can go from "ooh, what's that?" to CHOMP in approximately half a second.

So let's talk about some of the things we need to watch out for.

Important: This blog is intended as an easy-to-understand awareness guide, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you think your pet has eaten or come into contact with something potentially poisonous, contact your vet immediately. Don't wait for symptoms to appear.

🍫 Human Foods That Can Be Toxic

We love sharing our lives with our pets, and sometimes that includes sharing food.

But there are some foods that are perfectly normal for us and potentially very dangerous for them.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs cannot process as effectively as humans.

The risk depends on the type and amount of chocolate eaten and the size of the dog. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder generally contain more theobromine.

Possible symptoms include:

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Restlessness or agitation
Increased drinking and urination
Panting or fast breathing
Tremors
Fast heart rate
Seizures in severe cases

If your dog eats chocolate, don't wait to see whether they develop symptoms. Contact your vet and keep the packaging so they can identify exactly what was eaten.

🍇 Grapes, Raisins, Sultanas & Currants

This is one that can catch people out because these foods can appear in things we wouldn't necessarily think of as dangerous.

Grapes and dried fruits such as raisins and sultanas can cause acute kidney injury in dogs, and the amount that can cause poisoning isn't predictable. Poisoning has been reported after only a few grapes in a small dog.

They can be found in:

Fruit cake
Christmas pudding
Mince pies
Hot cross buns
Some cereals and baked goods

Possible symptoms include:

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Changes in drinking or urination

If your dog has eaten grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants, contact your vet immediately, even if they seem completely fine.

🧅 Onions, Garlic, Leeks & Chives

These belong to the allium family and can damage red blood cells, potentially causing anaemia.

And here's the sneaky part:

It's not just raw onions sitting in the kitchen.

They can be found in sauces, ready-made meals and other prepared foods too.

Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and reduced appetite. Signs of anaemia, such as weakness, lethargy and difficulty breathing, can take several days to develop.

So if your dog manages to eat something containing a significant amount of onion or garlic, speak to your vet.

🍬 Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that can be found in some sugar-free foods, sweets, chewing gum, medicines and other products.

It can be extremely dangerous to dogs.

It may also appear on an ingredient list as birch sugar.

Because products containing xylitol vary, don't try to work out whether your dog has eaten a dangerous amount yourself. Contact your vet straight away if you suspect exposure.

☕ Caffeine & Alcohol

Coffee, tea, energy drinks and other caffeinated products can be harmful to pets, while alcohol is toxic to pets.

And remember that pets don't only get into things deliberately.

A spilled drink, an abandoned mug or a bin full of leftovers can all become opportunities for a curious dog.

Keep them safely out of reach.

🍂 Autumn Walks: What's Hiding Under Those Leaves?

Autumn is probably one of my favourite times of year to walk dogs.

The leaves change, the air gets cooler and everything feels like a giant adventure.

But autumn also brings some things we need to keep an eye on.

🌰 Conkers

They look like perfect little dog toys.

They're shiny.

They're bouncy.

They're everywhere.

And some dogs will happily think, "Excellent. Snack."

Please don't let them.

Conkers from horse chestnut trees can cause gastrointestinal problems if eaten, and whole conkers or large pieces can also cause a gut obstruction.

Possible signs can include:

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Abdominal discomfort
Drooling
Loss of appetite

If your dog has swallowed a conker, contact your vet for advice rather than waiting to see what happens.

🌰 Acorns

Acorns can also cause problems when eaten, including vomiting and diarrhoea, and there is a risk of intestinal blockage.

So when you're walking through crunchy autumn leaves, keep an eye on what your dog is putting in their mouth.

Because, let's be honest...

Dogs don't care how pretty the autumn leaves are. They're too busy looking for snacks.

🍄 Mushrooms & Toadstools

Autumn is also mushroom season.

The problem is that there are thousands of different species, and some can be extremely toxic.

Some can cause stomach upset, while others can cause neurological signs or serious liver and kidney problems.

If your pet eats a wild mushroom or toadstool, don't try to identify it yourself and assume it's safe. If possible, take photographs and, if your vet advises you to attend, take a sample with you.

☠️ Rat & Mouse Poison

This is the section that is particularly difficult for me to write because of Zoe.

Rat and mouse poison can be dangerous to dogs and cats both directly and indirectly.

A pet can eat the poison itself, but there is also a risk of secondary poisoning from eating a poisoned rodent.

This means that even if you've never used rat poison yourself, there can still be a risk when your pet catches or eats a rodent.

What symptoms should you look for?

Different rodenticides work in different ways, so symptoms vary.

Anticoagulant rat poisons can cause internal bleeding. Signs may include:

Weakness or lethargy
Pale gums
Nosebleeds
Bruising
Blood in urine
Black or bloody stools
Coughing or vomiting blood
Breathing difficulties

Other types of rodenticide can cause:

Increased drinking and urination
Tremors
Seizures
Drooling
Loss of coordination
Paralysis
Collapse

And here's something really important:

Your pet can look completely fine at first.

Some poisons can take days to cause obvious symptoms. With certain anticoagulant rodenticides, signs may not appear for several days.

Don't wait for symptoms.

If you know or suspect your pet has eaten rat poison or a poisoned rodent, contact your vet immediately.

🚗 Antifreeze

Another serious danger, particularly as the weather gets colder.

Antifreeze containing ethylene glycol can be found in products associated with cars, including some coolants and screen wash.

It can also be licked from paws after a pet has walked through a spill.

Symptoms can include:

Wobbliness
Weakness
Vomiting
Lethargy
Increased drinking
Increased urination initially
Breathing difficulties
Seizures
Collapse

Antifreeze poisoning is an absolute emergency. Treatment needs to start as soon as possible because kidney damage can develop quickly.

If you suspect exposure, contact your vet immediately.

🧪 Other Things to Watch Out For

Unfortunately, the list doesn't end with food and things we find on walks.

Pets can also be exposed to:

Human medicines
Veterinary medicines given incorrectly
Cleaning products
Garden chemicals
Weed killers
Slug and snail pellets
Some plants
Batteries
DIY products
Fuels and chemicals
Some cosmetics and toiletries

Even something that seems harmless to us can be dangerous to a small animal.

And remember: poisoning doesn't always mean swallowing something.

A pet can also be exposed through inhalation, skin contact or getting something in their eyes.

🚨 What Should You Do If You Think Your Pet Has Been Poisoned?

This is the bit I really want everyone to remember.

STOP. REMOVE. CALL.

1. STOP

Stop your pet from getting any more of the substance.

If they still have something in their mouth, encourage them to drop it rather than putting your fingers into their mouth.

2. REMOVE

Move them away from the source.

If something is on their coat or skin, remove it safely and follow veterinary advice about cleaning it off.

3. CALL

Call your vet immediately.

Don't wait for symptoms.

Don't assume they're fine because they're acting normally.

Don't try to diagnose the poison yourself.

And don't make your pet vomit unless a vet specifically tells you to do so. Never give salt water to make them sick. Some substances can cause more damage if they come back up.

If you have the packaging, container, plant material or anything else that can help identify what was eaten, take it with you or provide photographs if you're advised to attend the vet.

You can also contact Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 for advice about potential poisoning. If your pet is collapsing, having seizures or struggling to breathe, seek immediate veterinary attention.

🐾 What If You Aren't Sure They Ate Anything?

Call anyway.

Maybe you saw your dog pick something up but they swallowed it before you could get there.

Maybe there's an empty packet.

Maybe they caught a rat.

Maybe you found something suspicious in the garden.

Maybe your dog is suddenly behaving strangely and you have no idea why.

It is always better to ask.

Animal PoisonLine specifically advises contacting them whenever you're concerned about a potential exposure, even if your pet isn't showing signs yet.

❤️ A Little Reminder From Me

Writing this blog has been harder than most.

Zoe wasn't being careless.

She wasn't doing anything unusual.

She was simply being Zoe — a cat who loved hunting.

We couldn't have known what had happened to that rat, and by the time we realised something was wrong, there was nothing we could do.

That's why I wanted to write this.

Not to frighten people.

Not to make you scared to let your dog explore.

And certainly not to tell you that every leaf, puddle or snack is a disaster waiting to happen.

It's about awareness.

Because our pets explore the world differently to us.

They sniff it.

They lick it.

They pick it up.

And sometimes they swallow it before we've even registered what they've found.

So keep an eye on those autumn walks.

Watch those little scavengers.

Keep dangerous foods and chemicals safely out of reach.

Know the signs.

And most importantly, know what to do if something goes wrong.

Because when it comes to poisoning, acting quickly really can make a difference.

And Zoe?

She'll always be remembered as the wonderful, mischievous, master-hunter she was.

This one's for her. ❤️

Please save this information!!

If there's one thing I hope you take away from this blog, it's this:

You don't need to know everything about every poison.

You just need to remember:

If you think your pet has eaten something they shouldn't — CALL YOUR VET.