What Shouldn’t Your Dog Eat on a Walk?
From mushrooms and acorns to grapes, chicken bones, and common toxic plants, here’s what every dog owner should watch out for during walks in Connecticut.
OUTDOOR SAFETY
What Shouldn’t Your Dog Eat on a Walk?
From mushrooms and acorns to grapes, chicken bones, and common toxic plants, here’s what every dog owner should watch out for during walks in Connecticut.
Walks are full of exciting smells, and sometimes your dog’s nose leads them to things they definitely shouldn’t eat. While an occasional leaf or blade of grass usually isn’t a concern, there are plenty of common hazards hiding along sidewalks, parks, and trails.
Keep an eye out for chicken bones, grapes and raisins, mushrooms, chocolate, gum or candy (especially anything containing xylitol), onions, garlic, avocado pits, moldy food, compost, corn cobs, acorns, black walnuts, mulch, discarded nicotine products like cigarettes or nicotine pouches, goose or duck droppings, standing water, and even dead animals. Fertilizers, pesticides, and ice melt left on the ground can also be harmful if your dog licks their paws afterward.
If your dog grabs something before you can stop them, don’t panic. If it’s safe to do so, calmly remove the item from their mouth. If they’ve already swallowed it, try to identify what it was and how much they may have eaten. Call your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away if you suspect it could be toxic or if your dog begins vomiting, has diarrhea, seems unusually tired, drools excessively, trembles, or has trouble breathing.
One of the best skills you can teach your dog is a reliable “leave it.” It won’t prevent every mishap, but it can make walks much safer. As a dog walker, I’m always scanning ahead for potential hazards so your dog can enjoy exploring without unnecessary risks.
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