Sometimes your dogs sickness is just the result of something he ate. And it
could be something he found in or around your house. If your dog is showing
symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst or unrination, tremors,
seizures, having difficulty breathing, acting lethargic, or showing other signs
of abnormal behavior, it could be that he has ingested something that is harm-
ful to him.
So what are some of the things that can make your dog sick? One of the main
things is people food. Some people have a habit of feeding their dogs or other
pets the same foods that they themselves eat. This can be very harmful to your
pet. Their systems were not designed to digest and process the same foods
that ours are.
Foods like chocolate, coffee, and caffeine can cause many of the symptoms
listed above and can even be deadly to your dog. Grapes and raisins are
another food that are deadly because these fruits can cause kidney failure.
Large amounts of salt can also cause all the above symptoms plus depression,
elevated body temperature and death. Fried and greasy foods can cause severe
stomach upset.
Other things that can make your dog sick are the common plants in and around
your house. Common house plants were the subject of nearly 8,000 calls to the
Animal Poison Control Center in one year. Plants such as azalea, rhododendron,
lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are found in many homes and can be very harmful
to your pet. Lilies are especially toxic to cats.
Human medications are a very real danger to pets. Keep them out of reach of your
pet. They are number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards.
Also, be sure to place all pesticides, insecticides, chemicals, fertilizer, and house-
hold cleaners in a safe place away from your pets.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested something that is harmful to him, seek help
immediately. Call your local veterinarian or emergency pet clinic. The Animal
Poison Control Center also has a 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435. Be aware that
they do charge a fee for their services. But if your pets life is at stake it will be a
small price to pay.
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