03/10/2025
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Poisonings were one of the more common reasons I was called in for emergencies.
One of the common signs of many toxicities is seizures, SO if this ever happens, you should know what to do.
And one of the beneficial holistic meds for this is CBD. In fact it's now one of the key uses of cannabidiol. It's also a great natural pain reliever/anti-inflammatory, and safe for both dogs and cats.
Get it here:
Dr Jones' ULTIMATE CBD for Dogs and Cats
I've seen dogs and cats poisoned by virtually everything: rat poison, slug bait, salt, chocolate, grapes, ma*****na, compost, mushrooms, drain cleaner, antifreeze—even chewing gum.
The list is long and shocking. It’s hard to believe just how many everyday things can be toxic to pets.
A Cautionary Tale: Bessie’s Close Call
Take, for instance, a small dog named Bessie—a lively West Highland White Terrier (Westie) with a love for anything that dropped to the floor.
Full of life, always chasing things, and absolutely in love with food, she was a curious pup. One day, her owner came home to find her purse had been ‘ravaged.’ As they say in Scotland, a ‘wee’ bit of gum was gone.
Normally, chewing gum wouldn’t be a cause for concern. But this gum contained xylitol, a common artificial sweetener that can be deadly to dogs.
Bessie became extremely weak, lay motionless on the floor, and then started to seize. Fortunately, her owner acted fast, bringing her to the clinic and identifying what she had ingested.
Her blood sugar and potassium levels were dangerously low. Treatment involved IV fluids, dextrose, and potassium. Thankfully, she fully recovered—but not all dogs are so lucky.
The Big Takeaway: Prevention is Key
Being aware of common pet toxins and preventing access to them is the best way to protect your furry friend.
Human Foods That Are TOXIC to Dogs and Cats
Avocado
Contains Persin, a toxic principle that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
The Guatemalan variety is the most toxic, but all have potential risks.
Chocolate (All Forms)
Contains theobromine, a cardiac stimulant and diuretic.
Signs of poisoning: Excitement, increased drinking/urination, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, arrhythmia, seizures, and possible death.
Toxic Dose: 2 baking squares for a 10lb dog. Dark and baker’s chocolate are most toxic; milk chocolate is rarely an issue.
Action Plan: Induce vomiting, give activated charcoal, and seek veterinary care if symptoms worsen.
Coffee (All Forms)
Contains xanthines, which can cause nervous system and heart issues.
Fatty Foods (Gravy, Bacon, etc.)
Can trigger severe gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis, which can be fatal.
Macadamia Nuts
Contain an unknown toxin affecting the nervous and muscular systems.
Can cause paralysis, weakness, and digestive distress.
Moldy or Spoiled Foods
May contain Aflatoxins, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, incoordination, fever, excessive salivation, and liver damage.
Onions & Onion Powder
Contain thiosulphate, which leads to anemia.
Even one onion can be toxic.
Good news: If ingestion stops, recovery is likely.
Raisins & Grapes
Can cause acute kidney failure in dogs.
The toxic compound is unknown.
No treatment available—avoid completely.
Yeast Dough
Can expand in the stomach, leading to severe bloating and alcohol toxicity.
Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener in Gum, Candy, etc.)
Causes a sudden drop in blood sugar, leading to incoordination, collapse, and seizures.
Fruits with Toxic Seeds & Stems
Apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums contain cyanide compounds in their seeds and stems.
Symptoms include dilated pupils, breathing difficulty, hyperventilation, and shock.
The fruit itself is safe—just avoid seeds and stems.
Potato Peelings & Green Potatoes
Contain solanine, a toxin causing drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, confusion, weakness, dilated pupils, and slow heart rate.
Nutmeg
High doses can be fatal.
Can cause tremors, seizures, and nervous system abnormalities.
Tomato Leaves & Stems (Green Parts)
Contain solanine, which affects the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems.
Lilies (for Cat Owners)
All parts of the lily plant are highly toxic to cats, even the water in a vase.
Can lead to acute kidney failure.
If you have cats, NEVER keep lilies in your home.
What to Do if Your Pet Ingests a Toxic Food
1. Get to Your Veterinarian Immediately
If you suspect poisoning, a veterinarian should examine your pet and provide appropriate treatment.
Some toxins act fast—antifreeze poisoning must be treated within 4–6 hours to prevent irreversible kidney damage.
2. Purge the Poison (Induce Vomiting)
In most cases, inducing vomiting is crucial.
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if your pet has consumed something caustic (e.g., drain cleaner, bleach).
How to Induce Vomiting:
Give 1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 lbs of body weight.
If no vomiting occurs after 10 minutes, repeat once.
NEVER administer more than two doses of peroxide.
3. Delay Absorption with Activated Charcoal
Available at most pharmacies, activated charcoal binds toxins and reduces absorption.
Best for: “Garbage-eating” dogs or unknown poison ingestion.
It’s a good idea to keep both hydrogen peroxide and activated charcoal on hand.
4. Prevention is the Best Medicine
Store medications and household toxins out of reach.
Familiarize yourself with toxic plants (see a full list at ASPCA’s Toxic Plant Database).
Secure compost bins to prevent accidental ingestion.
Heal Your Pet At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew
P.S. You should be PREPARED for ALL the common dog and cat emergencies. It's just good common sense pet care skills all pet owners should have.
P.P.S. This natural remedy is part of my Pet First Aid kit because it is o effective. It can be used for seizures, pain, inflammation, even urinary tract disease.
It's the non psychoactive portion of the cannabis plant CBD.
Our CBD supplement is here:
Dr Jones' ULTIMATE CBD for Dogs and Cats
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DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. Dr Andrew Jones resigned from the College of Veterinarians of B.C. effective December 1 2010, meaning he cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make specific medical recommendations for your pet.
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