Question 1

Is a small amount of chocolate dangerous for dogs?

Accepted Answer

There is no safe dose. Theobromine, the toxic compound in chocolate, accumulates in a dog’s system, and dark chocolate can be fatal in amounts as small as 20g for a medium-sized dog. The PDSA advises that any amount warrants an urgent call to your vet.

Question 2

Are grapes as dangerous as raisins for dogs?

Accepted Answer

Grapes are equally dangerous. Raisins are concentrated grapes, and the toxin responsible for acute kidney failure is present in both. Even a single grape has caused kidney failure in some dogs. Blue Cross advises treating any grape or raisin ingestion as an emergency.

Question 3

Are small amounts of onion safe for dogs and cats?

Accepted Answer

All alliums (onions, garlic, leeks, chives) are toxic to both dogs and cats at any meaningful dose. The threshold is around 0.5% of body weight for onions, and damage accumulates with repeated small exposures. Garlic powder is far more concentrated than fresh garlic.

Question 4

What foods contain xylitol that are dangerous to dogs?

Accepted Answer

Xylitol turns up in far more products than most owners realise: certain peanut butter brands, chewing gum, sugar-free baked goods, some vitamins, and mouthwash. It causes a rapid, severe insulin release in dogs that can be fatal within hours. Blue Cross advises checking the label of any sugar-free product before letting your dog near it.

Question 5

Are cooked bones safe for dogs?

Accepted Answer

Cooking makes bones brittle. They splinter into sharp shards that can perforate the oesophagus, stomach, or intestines, which is a genuine surgical emergency. Raw bones carry their own risks but are significantly less likely to shatter. The PDSA advises avoiding cooked bones entirely, including those from roast dinners and leftover joints.

Question 6

Is milk safe for cats?

Accepted Answer

Most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Kittens produce lactase to digest mother’s milk, but most lose this ability after weaning. Cats Protection notes the milk-loving cat is largely a cultural myth. Cow’s milk typically causes stomach upset and diarrhoea.

Question 7

Can dogs eat all fruit safely?

Accepted Answer

Several fruits are outright toxic to dogs: grapes and raisins (kidney failure), cherries (cyanide in stones and leaves), and stone fruits like plums and peaches. Even “safe” fruits like apples should have the seeds removed first.

Question 8

Does garlic keep fleas off dogs, and is it safe to feed them?

Accepted Answer

Garlic is toxic to dogs. It belongs to the allium family and causes oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to haemolytic anaemia. The “garlic repels fleas” claim has no veterinary evidence behind it.

Question 9

Is avocado safe for dogs and cats, or is it only toxic to birds?

Accepted Answer

Avocado contains persin, which is toxic to dogs and cats as well as birds, rabbits, and horses. The flesh is the primary concern for dogs and cats. The stone is also a choking and obstruction hazard.

Question 10

Are macadamia nuts safe for dogs?

Accepted Answer

Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause weakness, hyperthermia, vomiting, and tremors within 12 hours. The specific toxin hasn’t been identified, but the reaction is well-documented.

Question 11

Can dogs eat raw salmon safely?

Accepted Answer

Raw salmon isn’t reliably safe. Certain Pacific salmon can carry the parasite responsible for Salmon Poisoning Disease in dogs, which is uncommon in the UK but reported. The parasite is destroyed by cooking or freezing.

Question 12

Can cats eat dog food instead of cat food?

Accepted Answer

Dog food isn’t nutritionally adequate for cats. Cats are obligate carnivores and need taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin A in amounts dog food doesn’t provide. An occasional bite won’t harm them, but it shouldn’t become a habit.

Question 13

Is raw bread dough dangerous for dogs?

Accepted Answer

Raw bread dough is dangerous. Yeast keeps fermenting in a dog’s warm stomach, producing carbon dioxide (painful bloating) and alcohol (ethanol toxicity). Both can be life-threatening, so treat it as an emergency.