- Chocolate
Chocolate contains the toxin theobromine. Theobromine affects dogs’ nervous system, heart and muscle and promotes water excretion.
- Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin that can cause life-threatening, acute renal failure in dogs. Organic grapes are just as poisonous as sprayed grapes, as it is not a poison in the spray, but a substance in the grape that poisons dogs.
- Ibuprofen or any medicine for humans
Dogs are not humans and humans are not dogs. Therefore, owners must never give their dogs human medicine unless their veterinarian has approved it. It is not uncommon for a dog to be poisoned with human medicine. One of the most common ways dogs are poisoned is with pain medication containing ibuprofen.
- Onions and garlic
Onions (allium spp.), scallions, garlic and chives contain the toxins N-propyl-disulfide and S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCO) which can cause sudden anemia. Garlic is less toxic than regular onions, but should be fed with extreme caution.
- Coolant (of course!)
Coolant has a sweet taste and is therefore appealing to dogs. Coolant contains toxins ethylene glycol, which breaks down into a number of toxic substances that can cause acute, life-threatening renal failure.
- Potato plants and raw potatoes
The potato plant (Solanum tuberosum) is closely related to plants from the nightshade family. Unripe potatoes, raw green potatoes, the potato's green leaves and potato stalks contain the toxins solanine and chaconin. Solanine is corrosive, can cause gastrointestinal irritation, sudden anemia and affects the dog's nervous system.