WHAT IS POISONOUS TO MY DOG?

Dear Jubilee: 

A friend just told me that grapes and raisins are poisonous to my dog. Is this true?

Worried in Washington
 

Dear Worried,

They are listed with poisonous foods for dogs, but our understanding is that they would have to eat a large amount. The occasional grape or raisin is not going to hurt them. Mine will just about stand on their heads for a grape and, of course, there is nothing cuter than a puppy with its first grape. I still share grapes with my dogs when I am eating them, but never more than four or five at a time.

Here are some poison information sites on the web:
http://www.sheltie.com/poisonwarning.htm  This is about cocoa mulch  

Here is a huge list: http://www.silverhawkaussies.com/poison.html  It contains some things like avocado. With the avocado, we have learned that it is the skin and nut that are dangerous, but the flesh is fine. In fact, it is quite good for them.

http://www.vetheart.com/choc.html   warning about chocolate

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/animals/DogPoisions.asp

Foods poisonous to dogs does list grapes and raisins -- also note that they say garlic is much less poisonous and dogs would have to eat a huge amount to be affected (many of us include garlic in our mush: www.petalia.com.au/Templates/StoryTemplate_Process.cfm?specie=Dogs&story_no=257

Here is an excellent site:  http://www.mitoxic.org/pcc/petsplants/

Animal Poison Control Center (charges $50 for a consultation):
(888) 4ANIHELP  (426-4435)
$50.00 per case (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express). The Center will do as many follow-up calls as necessary in critical cases, and at the owner's request will contact their veterinarian. The Center also provides via fax specific treatment protocols and current literature citations when indicated.

Jubilee