Do you have a new Dachshund? Are you wondering what foods may be toxic to them? Maybe you just want to find out what human foods to avoid feeding them. Here’s everything you need to know about toxic and dangerous foods for Dachshunds.
What Foods Are Toxic For Dachshunds?
- Onions
- Garlic
- Chocolate
- Macadamia Nuts
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Avocado
- Fruit pits and seeds
- Raw potato
- Corn on the cob
- Cooked bones
- Xylitol Sweetener
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
But before you start feeding your Dachshund from the fridge, there’s more you need to know. Read on to find out why Dachshunds can’t eat toxic or dangerous foods, and what to do if your Dachshund has accidentally eaten something he shouldn’t have.
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This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
What Foods Are Toxic And Dangerous For Dachshunds?
Here are some of the most toxic and dangerous human foods for Dachshunds:
Onions
Can Dachshunds eat onion? No, Dachshunds cannot eat onion.
Onions and members of the onion family like shallots, chives and leeks, are highly toxic to Dachshunds because they contain disulfides and sulfoxides.
They can cause hemolytic anemia, which damages the red blood cells and stops them functioning properly. Onion poisoning can sadly kill your Dachshund.
Garlic
Can Dachshunds eat garlic? No, Dachshunds cannot eat garlic.
Garlic is toxic to Dachshunds. It contains Thiosulfate which damages red blood cells and leads to anemia.
It’s also worth noting that symptoms of poisoning can be delayed by a few days so may not be noticeable right away.
Chocolate
Can Dachshunds eat chocolate? No, Dachshunds cannot eat chocolate.
Eating white, milk or dark chocolate or cocoa powder can make your Dachshund very sick.
Cocoa contains theobromine, which can affect your dog’s central nervous system, cardiovascular system and respiratory system.
It also contains caffeine, which can raise your Dachshund’s blood pressure and cause an irregular heartbeat, as well as tremors, seizures and heart failure.
Macadamia Nuts
Can Dachshunds eat macadamia nuts? No, Dachshunds cannot eat macadamia nuts.
If your Dachshund eats them, he could suffer from vomiting, fever, depression, muscle tremors, weakness and ataxia (a degenerative disease of the nervous system).
Macadamia nuts are very poisonous for dogs!
Grapes
Can Dachshunds eat grapes? No, Dachshunds cannot eat grapes.
If your Dachshund eats grapes, he could be at risk of serious kidney damage and sudden kidney failure, which can sadly kill him.
Raisins
Can Dachshunds eat raisins? No, Dachshunds cannot eat raisins.
Like grapes, raisins can also cause kidney failure which can sadly be fatal for dogs.
Avocado
Can Dachshunds eat avocado? No, Dachshunds cannot eat avocado.
Avocado contains persin, a fungicidal toxin which is toxic to Dachshunds.
The fruit, skin, pits and leaves can all cause serious health problems that may sadly lead to death.
Apricots, cherries, pears, apples and peaches
While the flesh of apricots, cherries, pears, apples and peaches is OK for Dachshunds to eat in small quantities, they definitely should not have the pits, stems, seeds or leaves, as these are toxic.
The pits, stems, seeds and leaves need to be removed from the fruit or they could cause cyanide poisoning.
Your Dachshund shouldn’t eat canned or preserved fruits either, as they may contain high levels of sugars and chemicals that are bad for them.
Raw potato
Can Dachshunds eat raw potato? No, Dachshunds cannot eat raw potato.
Raw potato can be toxic to dogs, but cooked potato is safe. The leaves and stems of the potato plant are also toxic.
Corn on the cob
Can Dachshunds eat corn on the cob? No, Dachshunds cannot eat corn on the cob.
Corn isn’t toxic for Dachshunds and it’s safe to feed in small amounts as long as it’s loose corn.
However, steer clear of corn on the cob, as the cob itself is a big choking hazard.
Cooked bones
Can Dachshunds eat cooked bones? No, Dachshunds cannot eat cooked bones.
It might seem like a good idea to give your Dachshund a bone to chew on, but only ever feed raw bones.
Cooked bones are very dangerous as they can easily splinter in your Dachshund’s mouth.
Your Dachshund could choke on them and the sharp pieces could seriously damage his digestive system.
Xylitol Sweetener
Can Dachshunds have foods containing xylitol? No, Dachshunds cannot have any foods containing xylitol.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. It’s found in things like peanut butter, sweets, chewing gum, ketchup and other condiments, baking ingredients and syrups.
If you want to give your Dachshund some peanut butter as a treat, make sure you check the label first to make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol.
There are lots of natural dog-friendly peanut butters out there, and some will even be labelled ‘safe for dogs’ or made specifically for dogs.
Caffeine
Can Dachshunds have caffeine? No, Dachshunds cannot have caffeine.
Coffee, tea and other foods containing caffeine can be very dangerous for Dachshunds.
Depending on how much caffeine your Dachshund has, he could suffer from raised blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, loss of muscle control, tremors, seizures, or even heart failure.
In some instances, caffeine can sadly be deadly for Dachshunds.
Alcohol
Can Dachshunds drink alcohol? No, Dachshunds cannot drink alcohol.
The ethanol in alcohol is toxic to Dachshunds and can make them drunk, even if they only have a tiny amount.
This can cause vomiting, disorientation, muscle tremors, seizures, restlessness, panting, and an increase in body temperature.
Hops are also poisonous to dogs and can cause their body temperature to rise dangerously, which can lead to organ and brain damage, and could sadly kill them.
What To Do If Your Dachshund Eats Toxic Or Dangerous Food
This is what to do if your Dachshund has eaten something toxic or dangerous:
Stay calm
If you think your Dachshund has eaten something toxic or dangerous, don’t panic. He needs you to be there to help him, so it’s important to take a breath, stay calm and think clearly.
Put your Dachshund somewhere safe
Move your Dachshund away from the toxic food so that he can’t eat any more of it. You need to take him somewhere secure while you call the vet.
Don’t worry about cleaning up right now (unless you have other pets in the house that are also at risk of eating the toxic food or vomit).
The most important thing is to call the vet as soon as possible.
Contact a vet immediately
If your Dachshund has eaten something that you know is toxic and is behaving weirdly or throwing up, contact an emergency vet immediately.
The food may have poisoned him and your vet will know what to do.
In fact, even if your Dachshund seems perfectly OK but you know he’s eaten something toxic, still call the vet just to be sure.
Sometimes symptoms don’t show up for a couple of days so it’s definitely not worth the risk.
Call the Pet Poison Helpline (US) or Animal Poison Line (UK)
If you can’t get through to a vet, you can call a helpline for advice, such as the Pet Poison Helpline in the US and the Animal PoisonLine in the UK.
Although they won’t be able to treat your Dachshund, they should be able to advise you on whether your Dachshund’s condition sounds urgent, what symptoms to look out for and what action to take.
These helplines are useful as they can help you work out whether or not your Dachshund has been poisoned, making sure you only go to the vet if you really need to.
Look out for symptoms of poisoning in your Dachshund
If your Dachshund has been poisoned, he may or may not show symptoms, and sometimes those symptoms may even be delayed.
Nevertheless, it’s important to keep an eye out for any symptoms or changes in your Dachshund’s behaviour or mood, so you can tell the vet what’s happening and get him the treatment he needs.
Signs of food poisoning in Dachshunds are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Shaking
- Disorientation
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Breathing issues
- Lack of appetite
- Excessive thirst
- Sluggishness
- Out-of-character excitability
However, just bear in mind this isn’t the full list of symptoms, and some of these symptoms could also be confused with other health conditions.
So, if your Dachshund is unwell or you’re concerned about his health, ALWAYS contact your vet for advice.
Don’t try to treat your Dachshund without your vet’s guidance
It’s really important to seek advice from your vet if you suspect your Dachshund has eaten something dangerous or toxic, rather than trying to treat him yourself.
There are a number of ways to remove toxins from your Dachshund’s system, such as inducing vomiting and using activated charcoal (which helps absorb toxins).
However, these methods should only be used under your vet’s guidance as otherwise you could do more harm than good.
So, there you have it! There are some human foods Dachshunds just shouldn’t eat. Always read any food labels carefully and contact your vet immediately if you think your Dachshund has eaten any dangerous or toxic foods.
To find out what Dachshund DO eat, click here
If you want to find out if Dachshunds can eat bananas, click here
To find out of Dachshunds can eat peanut butter, click here
If you want to find out if Dachshunds can eat apples, click here
To find out why Dachshunds refuse to eat, click here
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