Halloween Treat Toxicity

With Halloween looming ever closer as October continues, many people choose to celebrate with a variety of treats and candy. These snacks can provide some sweet indulgence for people, but certain quantities of some ingredients can be hazardous to dogs if ingested.

Fat and/or Sugar. While not necessarily considered toxic to dogs, the high levels of fats and/or sugars found in human foods can cause digestive upset to animals. Although tasty, animals do not process carbohydrates and fats to the same degree that we do. Excess amounts of either can lead to vomiting and/or diarrhea. Some foods that may lead to upset include ice cream, baked goods, and fatty meat.

Raisins/Grapes. Raisins and grapes have the potential to cause kidney failure. An unknown component of grape flesh appears to cause kidney damage. Following grape or raisin ingestion, dogs may show signs of vomiting/diarrhea, inappetence, abdominal pain, or difficulty urinating.

Peanut Butter. Plain peanut butter is considered relatively safe, but those that have additional oils or sweeteners may pose a risk. The main sweetener of concern is xylitol, which also can be found in some chewing gum, candies, and human toothpastes. Xylitol can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level), liver failure, or death in dogs. Initial symptoms may include vomiting, incoordination, tremors, or fainting.

Chocolate. Chocolate is a food well-known to be toxic to dogs. The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine. While humans are able to metabolize theobromine well, dogs metabolize theobromine much less effectively. The darker the chocolate, the greater the theobromine concentration. The severity of side effects seen also increase with the quantity of chocolate eaten. Small amounts may lead to just vomiting or diarrhea, while large amounts could lead to hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, or heart attack.

The degree of toxicity with risky foods varies with the size of the dog, and the amount eaten. With any toxic item, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible following ingestion to reduce the associated side effects. There is also the Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) available if a veterinary clinic is not immediately accessible. Of course, prevention is always the best medicine, so do your best to minimize temptation at dog’s-eye level.

- Krystal D., R.V.T.