Poisonous Foods for Pets: Emergency Warning Signs
As an emergency vet in Perth, we see many cases that could have been avoided with the right information. One of the most common reasons pets end up needing urgent care is accidental poisoning from food found in most kitchens.
It’s easy to miss the danger when your dog begs for a snack or your cat sneaks something off the counter. But certain foods are toxic for pets, and even small amounts can cause serious harm. Knowing what to avoid and recognising the early signs of poisoning could save your pet’s life.
Common Foods That Are Toxic to Pets
We'll begin with the common culprits. Some foods are commonly recognised as being hazardous, while others may surprise even the most vigilant pet owners.
Chocolate
Chocolate is poisonous to both cats and dogs. Dark chocolate is worse. Chocolate has theobromine, which pets are not able to metabolise. It causes vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, and even seizures.
Grapes and Raisins
Even small amounts of grapes or raisins are sufficient to cause kidney failure in dogs. It's a variable response and does not depend upon the quantity ingested. That's what makes them so risky.
Onions and Garlic
These are toxic to both cats and dogs. They can destroy red blood cells and cause anaemia. Symptoms can be weakness, vomiting, and pale gums. Cooked, raw, powdered, it makes no difference. They're all dangerous.
Xylitol
This sweetener is commonly used in sugar-free gum, baked foods, and certain peanut butter brands. It results in a sudden release of insulin in dogs, causing a potentially life-threatening decrease in blood sugar levels. In very large amounts, it can also cause liver failure.
Alcohol and Caffeine
These are poisonous to pets even in small quantities. Alcohol is a depressant on the central nervous system and can cause vomiting, lack of coordination, and coma in some instances. Caffeine, as with chocolate, has chemicals that are too potent for pets to break down without injury.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning in Animals
If your pet ingests something it shouldn't, you might see symptoms in minutes or hours. Some of the most common signs that something is wrong include:
Diarrhoea or vomiting
Loss of appetite
Weakness or lethargy
Seizures or tremors
Excessive salivation
Fast breathing or heartbeat
Some symptoms are not severe at first, but they can escalate in no time. If you spot any of the following symptoms, contact an emergency vet in Perth right away. Waiting will exacerbate the condition.
When to Call an Emergency Vet in Perth
It is occasionally hard to know when to wait and when to take action. But with poisoning, it is always better to be safe.
Call an emergency vet if:
You know your pet has ingested something poisonous.
Your pet is showing symptoms listed above.
You don't know what your pet ingested but something doesn't feel right.
Most Perth after-hours vets are open 24/7. If you are looking for a 24-hour vet in Perth, contact us and we will be prepared to assist. The sooner you act, the better the pet's likelihood of a full recovery.
Why Home Remedies Can Be Hazardous
It's natural to search for home remedies online. Some suggest inducing vomiting or administering activated charcoal. However, these are not always safe to try. For instance, making your dog vomit while they're not wide awake can lead to choking. And administering an incorrect amount of charcoal can create more problems than it solves.
That's why it's better to leave treatment to the experts. Emergency vets in Perth have the tools, knowledge, and medications to safely treat poisoning.
How Emergency Vets Treat Poisoning
If you take your pet to a Perth 24-hour vet, you can expect the following. The vet will initially inquire about what and when your pet has eaten. They might conduct blood work, administer IV fluids, or administer medicine to antidote the poison. Your pet might be hospitalised overnight under observation in certain situations.
The earlier you get treatment, the better. Don't wait for the situation to get worse.
How to Avoid Pet Poisoning
Prevention is your best defence. Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help keep your pet safe:
Store food in closed cabinets, not on countertops.
Do not feed table scraps without determining whether the food is safe.
Check labels on human food and dental products for xylitol.
Inform visitors and family members what is not okay to feed pets.
Have the contact number of your Perth emergency vet ready.
You can also baby-proof your kitchen in the same manner that you would baby-proof a house.
Final Thoughts
Pet safety is not always about drastic measures. Sometimes it is a question of knowing. If you know what foods to keep out of reach and how to spot the earliest signs of poisoning, you can take action fast and spare yourself a trip to the emergency vet Perth locals rely on. But if something does go wrong, help is at hand. Contact Port City Emergency vet in case of emergency.
