Toxic foods for dogs and cats: the list you need to know by heart

Many foods that are perfectly healthy for humans represent true deadly poisons for our pets. Their organisms lack the necessary enzymes to metabolize certain molecules. Here are the 5 most dangerous foods that must absolutely be kept out of their reach.

1. Chocolate and Coffee

Contain theobromine (in cocoa) and caffeine. These alkaloids excessively stimulate the animal's central nervous system and heart.

• Symptoms: Vomiting, hyperactivity, cardiac arrhythmia, convulsions, and then coma. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous: 50 g can kill a 10 kg dog.

2. Onions, Garlic, Leeks, and Shallots

Whether raw, cooked, or powdered (in leftovers from cooked meals), they contain sulfur derivatives that destroy the red blood cells of dogs and cats, causing severe hemolytic anemia.

• Symptoms: Pale gums, depression, red or brown-tinted urine, rapid shortness of breath.

3. Grapes (Fresh and Raisins)

The exact toxic substance remains poorly identified by research, but the ingestion of grapes causes sudden acute renal failure. A single small box of raisins can be fatal for a medium-sized dog.

4. Avocado

All parts of the plant (leaves, fruit, pit) contain persin, a fungicidal toxin.

• Symptoms: Violent digestive disorders, lethargy, and respiratory distress. Furthermore, the pit presents a major risk of intestinal obstruction.

5. Xylitol (Artificial sweetener)

Found in sugar-free candies, certain chewing gums, toothpaste, and low-calorie pastry products. In dogs, it causes massive insulin secretion leading to severe hypoglycemia in less than 30 minutes, followed by liver necrosis.

Sources: CAPAE-Ouest (Animal Poison Control Center of Alfort and Nantes), Vétocanis (Canine toxicology alerts).