5 Everyday Things That Could Poison Your Dog (One Almost Got Mine)
The Most Common (and Unexpected) Things That Could Poison Your Dog
I freaked.
After running errands I came home to Ciccio, my sweet normally chill dog, playing with a small box in the entryway.
I looked closer, it was a box of gum... sugar free gum... with XYLITOL!!!!
Xylitol is one of the most toxic ingredients for dogs. It's a common artificial sweetener that's found in gum, toothpaste and honestly, is sneaking into more and more of our products.
I had no idea if Ciccio had eaten any of the gum - he seemed perfectly happy to play with the box. I immediately Googled the symptoms of Xylitol poisoning.
Knowing this goofball like I do, I was almost certain that he hadn't eaten any of the gum, so I kept him close and kept an eye on him for the next hour, ready for a sprint to the 24 hour vet at the first sign of trouble.
Thankfully, all was ok but as a family we were terrified. My son had left the box of gum on his desk - we still don't even know how Ciccio got it. He doesn't get up on furniture and the very most mischievous he is to put his paws on the kitchen counter if he smells my roast chicken!
So, now we make sure to keep all scary poisons very well hidden from our sweet boy - and I've had to donate some of my very favorite plants (keep reading) because they are toxic to dogs.
In this article I've compiled a list of 5 poisons that are common in most households. Some you may already know about - so I've added the symptoms that might be noticeable if your dog pulls a ninja move and gets into trouble without you knowing!
My heart is still beating a million km an hour as I write this - I hope the information here helps you to avoid the same stress!
1. Xylitol – The Silent Killer Hiding in Your Purse
Where it’s found:
Sugar-free gum, mints, peanut butter (some brands), toothpaste, chewable vitamins
Why it’s toxic:
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that’s totally safe for humans but extremely dangerous for dogs. It causes a rapid release of insulin in dogs, which can lead to severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar). In some cases, it can also cause liver failure.
🚫 Common Names for Xylitol:
This is absolutely INFURIATING to me. For some reason the ingredient that is most toxic to dogs lives in ingredient lists under several different names - some of which seem downright natural and would never set off alarm bells for the attentive dog mom.
- Xylitol (obviously, but still—check for it!)
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Birch Sugar
This one is especially misleading—it sounds like a harmless natural sweetener but it’s still deadly to dogs.
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Wood Sugar
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Sugar Alcohol
⚠️ This can also include sorbitol, erythritol, etc.—not all are toxic like xylitol, but if a product lists “sugar alcohols” without saying which ones, be cautious.
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E967
This is Xylitol’s food additive number in Europe. It can appear on labels this way, especially on gum or imported foods.
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Xylo-pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol
Super rare to see this scientific name, but if you do, yeah—that’s xylitol.
Pro Tip:
A lot of "natural" or sugar-free products (think toothpaste, protein powders, mints, peanut butter) may proudly declare “No Sugar!” or “Low Carb!” but contain xylitol or birch sugar to compensate. That’s where label reading becomes your superpower.
Symptoms to watch for:
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Vomiting
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Lethargy
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Loss of coordination
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Seizures
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Collapse
What to do:
If you even suspect your dog ate something with xylitol, don’t wait. Call your vet or poison control (TOX Info Suisse - Poison Control Center: 📞 145 ).
Time is everything.
Myth or Bust: Some people say give hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. This can work in some situations, but it’s NOT safe for xylitol cases—because it absorbs super fast. Always call your vet first.
SugarFree gum is often sweetened by Xylitol - highly toxic to dogs
2. Grapes and Raisins – Tiny but Deadly
Where it’s found:
Raisin bread, granola bars, trail mix, snack packs, cookies
Why it’s toxic:
Here’s the kicker: we still don’t know exactly why grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. But they are. Even small amounts can cause acute kidney failure.
Symptoms to watch for:
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Vomiting (usually within a few hours)
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Diarrhea
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Abdominal pain
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Lethargy
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Decreased urine production (or none at all = big red flag)
What to do:
Call your vet immediately. If the ingestion was recent, they may safely induce vomiting or give activated charcoal. Do NOT try home remedies—this one’s serious.
Granola Bars are often made with raisins and chocolate - my dog is always curious about them so make sure to watch your kids if they snack on them.
3. Oleander – Pretty but Poisonous
Where it’s found:
Landscaping! This common flowering shrub grows in warm climates (think public parks in Ticino, backyard landscaping) and it’s highly toxic.
Why it’s toxic:
Oleander contains cardiac glycosides, which affect the heart’s rhythm. It’s like nature’s own heart medication—only with the dosage of a horror movie.
Symptoms to watch for:
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Drooling
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Nausea/vomiting
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Irregular heartbeat
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Weakness
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Death (yes, it’s that serious)
What to do:
This is an emergency. Go straight to your vet or nearest emergency clinic. If you’re doing yard work or moving to a new area, double-check the landscaping for pet safety.
Oleander is very common in Ticino - public parks and backyards are full of this pretty but poisonous plant. Keep an eye on your dog when around them.
4. Chocolate – Not Just a Holiday Hazard
Where it’s found:
Obvious ones like candy and brownies, but also hidden in protein bars, baking chips, and even mulch made from cocoa shells
Why it’s toxic:
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both stimulants that dogs metabolize very slowly. Dark chocolate is the worst, but any kind can cause issues depending on the amount and your dog’s size.
Symptoms to watch for:
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Hyperactivity
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Panting
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Vomiting/diarrhea
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Elevated heart rate
- Tremors or seizures
What to do:
If your dog ate chocolate, calculate the amount and type (there’s an online chocolate toxicity calculator! Save this website https://vetcalculators.com/chocolate.html) and call your vet. You may be asked to come in or monitor at home depending on the dose.
Fun Fact: White chocolate has very little theobromine, but it’s still fatty and can cause pancreatitis. So… still a no.
5. Houseplants – More Toxic Than You’d Think
We all want that plant parent aesthetic, but some of the prettiest plants are total dog traps.
Common culprits:
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Sago palm – causes liver failure; all parts are toxic, especially the seeds
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Aloe vera – can cause vomiting, tremors
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Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) – mouth irritation, drooling, difficulty swallowing
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Lilies – cats are the real concern here, but still best to avoid
Symptoms
The symptoms will vary depending on the plant, but the basics to look for are as follows:
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Vomiting
- Drooling
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Oral irritation
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Diarrhea
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Lethargy
What to do:
Snap a photo of the plant if you're not sure what it is. Call your vet or poison control with the name (or the photo).Don’t just Google It—plant toxicity is weirdly complicated.
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) is an EXTREMELY common plant - as a plant lover I see these in every home garden section of shops. I had NO IDEA it was poisonous.
Quick Tips: What To Do If Your Dog Ate Something Toxic
I wish I had a laminated checklist for this when Ciccio got into that gum. So here you go:
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Stay calm but act fast. Panic doesn’t help anyone—especially your pup.
- Get the info. What did they eat? How much? When?
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Call your vet or the TOX Info Suisse - Poison Control Center: 📞 145
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Don’t assume vomiting is always safe. Hydrogen peroxide can help in the right situation, but it can also do harm. Always ask a vet first.
- Keep toxic items out of reach. Gum, meds, snacks, plants—all of it. Use child locks if needed.
Final Thoughts: What I Learned (the Hard Way)
When Ciccio got into that gum, I had a wave of guilt. But here’s the thing—dogs are fast and curious and it only takes one slip.
The point isn’t to feel shame, it’s to stay informed and do better next time.
So consider this your friendly PSA from someone who’s been there: scan your home, stash the gum, and give your plants a side-eye. Because when it comes to our dogs, we don’t play.
If you found this helpful, please share it with your fellow dog parents. You never know whose pet might be the next Ciccio moment waiting to happen—and this info could save a life.
