TL;DR

In this episode of Tails and Tones, host Mariska discusses the critical topic of food and household items that can be toxic or deadly to dogs. She provides a comprehensive guide on what pet parents need to know, including common human foods that are dangerous, household items to avoid, and natural dangers in the environment. The episode also emphasizes the importance of emergency preparedness for pet owners and shares heartwarming rescue stories, along with a spotlight on a celebrity pet. Mariska encourages listeners to be informed and proactive in ensuring their pets' safety.

During This Episode:

• Introduction to dog safety and toxic foods
• Common human foods that are toxic to dogs
• Household items and medications dangerous for dogs
• Natural dangers in the environment, like backyard mushrooms and toxic plants
• Emergency preparedness for dog owners
• Where Tails Meet Hearts: Dino and Ruby
• Paw-lebrity of the Week: Pug Lou Lou and Pug Mosy
• A look ahead to the next episode, on dog etiquette every good dog owner should have

Takeaways:

• Always check if food is safe for dogs before sharing it, even something that seems harmless.
• Some human foods can be deadly to dogs. Chocolate, grapes, raisins, alcohol, macadamia nuts, avocado, onions, and garlic are all common kitchen items that pose real danger.
• Avoid giving treats without asking the pet parent. A dog may have allergies or health conditions that make even a well-meaning treat harmful.
• Human medications can be fatal to dogs. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and multivitamins are all dangerous if ingested.
• Mushrooms can be extremely toxic for dogs. Check your yard after rain, and never let your dog "help" you pick wild mushrooms.
• Keep cleaning products out of reach of pets, along with essential oils and toxic plants like lilies, tulips, daffodils, and cycads.
• Stay calm in an emergency with your pet. Panicking wastes precious time, so secure your dog and the hazard first, then call for help.
• Have a little bit of an emergency plan. Know your vet's number, your local animal hospital, and poison control, and keep them somewhere you can find instantly.
• Rescue stories remind us of the power of love. Dino and Ruby's story is a heartwarming example of the bond between rescue dogs and their people.
• Celebrity pets bring joy and entertainment to our lives, like this episode's Paw-lebrity picks, Lou Lou and Mosy

Relevant links mentioned in the episode:

Download the guide

Where Tails meet hearts - Dino and Ruby video

Paw-lebrity of the Week - Pug Lou Lou Pug Mosy

Coming in the next episode:

In the next episode, we are digging into the dog etiquette every good dog owner should have.

Timestamps to relevant points within the episode:

[00:00]- Introduction to Dog Safety and Toxic Foods

[02:36]- Common Human Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs

[05:22]- Household Items and Medications Dangerous for Dogs

[08:01]- Natural Dangers in the Environment

[10:39]- Emergency Preparedness for Dog Owners

[13:31]- Where Tails meet hearts - Dino and Ruby's video

[16:28]- Paw-lebrity of the Week - Pug Lou Lou and Pug Mosy

FAQ

What human foods are toxic to dogs?

Chocolate, grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants, alcohol, macadamia nuts and other tree nuts, avocado, onions, garlic, chives, leeks, and caffeine are all toxic to dogs and should never be shared, even in small amounts.

Is chocolate really dangerous for dogs?

Yes. Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound dogs cannot metabolize properly, and even a small amount can be dangerous or deadly depending on the dog's size and the type of chocolate.

Are grapes and raisins poisonous to dogs?

Yes. Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and even a small amount can be dangerous, so they should be kept completely out of reach.

What should I do if my dog eats something toxic?

Stay calm, note the time it happened, move your dog and the hazard to a safe area, do not induce vomiting unless a vet instructs you to, and call your vet or animal poison control immediately with details of what, how much, and when your dog ate it.

Are mushrooms dangerous for dogs?

Yes, mushrooms can be extremely toxic for dogs, so it's worth checking your yard after rain and keeping a close eye on your dog during walks where wild mushrooms might be growing.

Are lilies and other houseplants dangerous for dogs?

Yes, plants like lilies, tulips, daffodils, and cycads are all risky for dogs if chewed or ingested, so these should be kept out of reach or avoided in homes with dogs.

Can dogs have human medication?

No, never give a dog human medication without veterinary guidance. Common medications can be fatal, so anything a vet prescribes for a dog should be clearly identified as such when filled at a pharmacy.

How can I be better prepared for a pet emergency?

Have a little bit of an emergency plan in place before you need it, including your vet's number, a nearby emergency clinic, and a quick-reference guide to toxic foods and substances.

About the Author: Mariska Nell

Mariska is the founder of Tails and Tones, a design-led, sustainable dog product brand. She's also the host of the Tails and Tones podcast, where she explores dog health, product design, and intentional pet parenting with experts, veterinarians, and fellow dog parents.

Background: Mariska holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Design, a Bachelor's in Interior Design, and a Postgraduate qualification in Environmental Science. She's spent over 10 years working as a sustainability designer and strategist across the UAE, Australia, South Africa, the UK, and India. Her previous work includes collaborations with brands like Nespresso, Costa Coffee, and Dubai Airport, and she founded Design By Mariska, known for trash-to-treasure art exhibited at Dubai International Airport. She's also the host and founder of Mama Earth Talk, a sustainability podcast with 200+ episodes on zero waste and climate action, featuring guests including Dr. Sylvia Earle and the late Dr. Jane Goodall. She created the free Living Lighter course for practical sustainable living.

Piper: Mariska shares her life and work with Piper, her French Bulldog rescue dog. Piper joined the family in 2021 at 5 months old and has been the Chief Paw-duct Tester for everything Tails and Tones creates. Piper's journey, including cleft palate repair, luxating patella, arthritis risk, and recent mobility challenges, directly shaped the founding mission of Elevé (Tails and Tones' first product: a modular, height-adaptive feeding system).

Mission: We are on a mission to help modern dog parents simplify everyday care and elevate life with their pets, without sacrificing style or sustainability. Tails and Tones exists to build products that show up for dog parents, beautiful, sustainable, and robust enough to support you on the worst days. Not just the easy ones.

You can find Mariska at @tailsandtones on Instagram, or visit tailsandtones.com to learn more about Elevé and the Tails and Tones mission.