When my back was turned, Bandit stole some freshly made bread dough right off the kitchen counter. I didn’t realize it was a problem until he started vomiting.
To make a long story short, our veterinarian saved Bandit’s life but told us that some dogs die after eating raw bread dough. Please warn your readers about this danger.
First, just as it does when resting on the kitchen counter, dough rises in a dog’s warm, moist stomach, expanding to many times its original size. This causes abdominal pain, retching, and bloating—and, sometimes, breathing problems and stomach rupture, either of which can be fatal.
In addition, the yeast in the bread dough ferments in the stomach, releasing alcohol. So the dog is at risk of alcohol poisoning, characterized by poor coordination and disorientation, with possible coma and death.
It’s not just bread dough that causes problems. Chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, and even the artificial sweetener xylitol are all harmful to dogs.
I learned the hard way in my own home that even the most obedient dog sometimes steals food from the kitchen counter. So if you must leave the kitchen while you’re baking or cooking, move food to a spot your dog can’t reach.
Instead of giving your cat human medication, take him to his veterinarian. He may be suffering from a painful bite-induced abscess hidden beneath the skin.
Many human drugs besides acetaminophen are toxic to pets. The Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or APCC, reports that in 2019, over-the-counter medications ingested by pets were the No. 1 reason people called for help. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other over-the-counter human medications generated 19.7 percent of the APCC’s calls.
Next, at 17.2 percent of calls, were human prescription drugs. At the top of this list were medications for heart disease, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, thyroid conditions, and depression.
It’s not just human drugs that poison pets. Overdoses of veterinary drugs, especially flavored medications, were responsible for 9.3 percent of calls to the APCC.
Keep all human and veterinary medications secured so your curious cats can’t get to them. Tighten lids and store medications in their original childproof containers in a secure cabinet or drawer. If you carry acetaminophen or other medications in your purse or backpack, be sure to put them where your cats can’t explore and find them.
