Grapes & Raisins:

Researchers don’t know what compound in grapes causes toxicity poisoning in dogs and cats, and it is, therefore, hard to predict if and when a dog or cat will actually get sick from eating grapes or raisins. However, we do know that toxicity from grapes is not dose-dependent (i.e. eating one can be just as bad as eating 30) and that its toxicity varies even across multiple doses given to the same animal. In other words, a dog can eat 20 grapes and be fine, and, on a different occasion, eat 1 grape and become poisoned. Since it’s unpredictable whether ingesting grapes/raisins will, in any instance, be toxic, we highly recommend that you bring your pet in right away if you become aware that they have ingested grapes (even if they’ve been fine before!). Symptoms include: vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal drinking and urination, lethargy, loss of appetite, kidney failure, halitosis, dehydration.

Avocado:

The flesh of this common pitted fruit is poisonous to birds but safe for dogs and cats. However, the pit of the avocado is a hazard – it can be swallowed whole by pets and become a foreign body obstruction in their digestive tract. Such obstructions can be just as harmful as poison, and so we recommend treating whole avocados with caution regardless of whether you have a bird or a dog. The toxin which causes poisoning in birds is called Persin and the symptoms in birds include: the inability to perch, difficulty breathing, organ failure, and death.

Fruit Pits & Seeds:

The pits in cherries, apricots, and peaches, and the seeds in apples, all contain cyanide—a toxin which prevents blood from carrying oxygen throughout the body and which can cause mild to moderate toxicity. So, while the flesh of these fruits isn’t toxic, we still advise caution when dealing with whole fruits such as these. Additionally, for those pet owners which grow any of these in their yard, the stems and leaves can also be toxic to dogs and cats, particularly when they are wilting. Symptoms for cyanide toxicity include: red and swollen mucus membranes (such as gums), dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, and shock.

Wild Mushrooms:

Found growing on and off trails and in gardens and parks throughout California, mushrooms can pose a serious threat to your pet’s health. The vast majority of mushrooms are benign but the ones that aren’t can be extremely toxic.

Unfortunately, it is quite difficult for most of us to distinguish between these different types of mushrooms; as such, if you cannot identify the species of mushroom your animal has ingested, we recommend that you treat it as though it were toxic and dangerous. Some of the types of mushrooms known to be toxic are Amanita, Galerina, and Lepiota mushrooms (please note, this is not a comprehensive list). Symptoms of mushroom toxicity include: nausea, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drunken walking, depression, tremors, seizures, and organ failure.

Other Foods to Avoid: