Most humans look forward to Thanksgiving for a hearty meal and the chance to catch up with friends or family. Most pets also become excited about the holiday because they know they may get the chance to steal food, get into the trash, or successfully beg with their powerful puppy dog eyes. Unfortunately, many common human food ingredients are toxic for pets, making food-related holidays dangerous to their health. The Animal Care & Emergency Services team wants pet owners to know which foods are off-limits, and what to do if their pet is poisoned.

#1: Chocolate toxicity in pets

The toxic compounds in chocolate (i.e., theobromine, caffeine) are known collectively as methylxanthines and have a mild stimulant effect in humans but cause nervous system overstimulation in pets. Chocolate poisoning signs appear in a few hours and severity ranges depending on the chocolate type and the amount consumed, with dark chocolate and cocoa more dangerous than milk or white chocolate. Signs may include:

  • Vomiting
  • Hyperactivity
  • Tremors or seizures
  • Fever
  • Arrhythmia
  • Coma
  • Death

#2: Xylitol toxicity in pets

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener commonly used in chewing gum, sugar-free candy, and low-sugar baked goods. This sugar alcohol is not recognized in the human body and is harmless, but in dogs, the body thinks xylitol is real sugar. Consumption triggers a massive insulin release, and blood sugar drops to dangerously low levels from 30 minutes to 12 hours later. Low blood sugar (i.e., hypoglycemia) can cause depression, confusion, seizures, vomiting, stupor, or coma. Xylitol also causes rapid liver failure in some affected pups. 

#3: Garlic and onion toxicity in pets

Garlic and onions are part of the Allium plant family, which contains sulfur compounds that are dangerous to dogs and cats. Cats are more sensitive than dogs and can experience toxic effects with as little as one tablespoon of cooked onions, and garlic is generally more dangerous than onions. In 24 hours following consumption, these foods can damage red blood cells and their oxygen-carrying capacity, and around three to five days later the body begins to destroy the damaged cells in a process called hemolytic anemia. Anemia signs include:

  • Weakness
  • Pale, white, or bluish mucous membranes
  • Rapid breathing rate or panting
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Brownish urine
  • Coma
  • Death

#4: Raisin toxicity in pets

Raisins and grapes can lead to toxicity signs in 6 to 12 hours after ingestion and in some dogs will progress to acute kidney failure in a few days. A relationship between dose and severity has not been found, but dogs have died after consuming only four or five grapes. The toxic principle has not been known for many years, but researchers now believe tartaric acid in these fruits may play a role. Acute kidney failure signs in dogs who eat grapes or raisins may include:

  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Poor appetite
  • Increased thirst
  • Increased urination or later, no urination at all

#5: Macadamia nut toxicity in pets

Macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin that generally is not deadly but can lead to temporary illness in pets who consume them. Signs are usually mild and self-limiting, but severely affected pets may require supportive hospitalized care. Vomiting, diarrhea, elevated body temperature (i.e., hyperthermia), and a drunken, weak appearance are the most common effects.

What should you do if your pet ingests toxic food?

The sooner your pet receives toxicity treatment, the better the potential outcome. We recommend first calling a poison control center—either the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline—to speak with a toxicology professional. Then, call us to let our team know you are en route and provide us with your pet’s poison control case number. When you arrive, we’ll be prepared to start treatment right away.

Toxicity treatments are most often supportive. First, we’ll remove as much toxin from the body as possible through intentional vomiting, stomach pumping, or activated charcoal administration. Then, we’ll work to counter the toxin’s effects as your pet’s body eliminates them over the next few hours or days under our care.

Human foods pose more than toxicity problems to pets. Pets also frequently suffer pancreatitis from fatty scraps and foreign body obstruction from meat bones that require a Thanksgiving visit to our Animal Care & Emergency Services team for urgent care. Avoid sharing the special meal with pets, no matter how much they beg, and keep them out of the kitchen during meal prep. Call us 24/7/365 if your pet ingests a toxin despite your precautions, or for any other urgent pet health care needs.