Foods a Chihuahua Can't Eat

There are two basic types of fermentation: alcohol fermentation, which creates wine and beer, and lactic acid fermentation, which makes dairy and vegetable products. It is the alcohol fermentation that is toxic to dogs; therefore, rotten apples are toxic, especially to small dogs like the Chihuahua. 

Any bread dough that contains yeast and is not yet cooked is toxic. The fermentation of the yeast causes alcohol poisoning. Signs include distention of the abdomen, confusion, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, lack of coordination, trouble breathing and/or tremors. It can lead to seizures, coma and death. 

Chocolate contains a component called theobromine, and this is what is toxic to dogs. Theobromine is not easily digested by canines, which causes it to build up into toxic levels. 

This includes, but is not limited to: coffee (brewed coffee, coffee beans), tea, soda, energy drinks and diet pills. Ingestion of caffeine can cause vomiting, restlessness, hyperactivity, rapid heart beat, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, hyperthermia. It can lead to coma, collapse and death. 

The amount of caffeine that is deadly to Chihuahuas varies by what type of food or drink was ingested. Just a few laps of brewed coffee will not often lead to clinical signs. Dogs can become sick on small doses; however, in regard to what is lethal, it is 70 mg of caffeine per each 1 lb. of body weight. 

For a frame of reference, one cup of coffee has 95 mg and 1 teaspoon of instant coffee has 32 mg of caffeine. 

There is actually a long list of toxic foods that are all in the current family. This includes:

If a dog ingests raisins, grapes or current-type fruit, can can lead to fatal kidney failure. Early signs may begin with 30 minutes to several hours, though kidney failure often develops 1 to 3 days from the time of ingestion. 

Within this group of toxic foods, raisins are the most deadly. The number of raisins that are toxic to Chihuahuas is estimated to be .07 oz. per 1 lb. of body weight. This means that for a 5-pound Chihuahua, .35 oz. (just 1/16 of a cup) can be deadly.  

Some fruit seeds contain cyanide, which is a strong poison. Some fruits whose seeds are toxic are just fine for dogs to eat, however they must be cored (remove entire core, ensure seeds are not present) such as:

The amount of fruit seeds that are lethal to dogs varies by the size of the dog. In addition, the number would have to be an estimate and actual poisoning is dependent on if the shells of the seeds were broken open. With adult humans, about 1/2 cup of apple seeds (open) are lethal. For a tiny dog like the Chihuahua, one could assume that much less, perhaps 1/20 of a cup could be fatal.

Some sources list this as extremely toxic and others tout it as a great medicine for canines. Like onions (see below), garlic contains thiosulphate, which is toxic in high enough qualities. Consensus among many vets seems to be that whole pieces of garlic can cause gastroenteritis, and that long term ingestion of small amounts can cause hemolytic anemia.

Though not toxic, pecans, pistachios, hickory nuts, and almonds can cause upset stomach. 

Macadamia nuts are considered toxic, though not often deadly. And studies so far show that only canines cannot tolerate macadamia nuts; this is not seen in any other animals. If ingested, this can cause vomiting, lethargy, hyperthermia, loss of muscle coordination and/or depression. 

The amount of macadamia needed to make a dog ill is 2.4 g of nuts/ per kg (2.2 lbs) of body weight. 

Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate (as does garlic, see above) which is toxic to dogs. Ingesting pieces of onion can cause a toxicity called Heinz Body Anemia (also known as Hemolytic anemia) in which red blood cells are destroyed. Signs include pale gums, discolored urine (often red or brown), rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, lethargy decreased appetite and/or depression. 

The amount of onion that is toxic to dogs is 15 to 30 grams per 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) of body weight. 

This sugar substitute is toxic to canines. It can be found in all sort of foods including sugar-free gum, hard candies, breath mints and in some baked goods. Always check labels to see if a food contains Xylitol, if you are thinking about giving something to your Chihuahua or if your dog got into something that he was not supposed to. 

If ingested, this can cause hypoglycemia (a rapid drop in blood sugar levels), which can lead to coma or death if severe and if not treated. Extremely high doses can cause liver failure. 

Signs of hypoglycemia include weakness, sleepiness, confusion, lack of coordination. If not treated, it can lead to coma or even death.

This is considered to be even more toxic to dogs than chocolate; the amount toxic to dogs is 50 mg per lb. of body weight. Some example of products with Xylitol and the amounts within them include: Trident Xtra Care contains .14 grams per piece, Icebreaker Ice Cubes contains 1.15 grams per piece and Xyloburst gum has 1 gram per piece. 

Mushrooms - Store-bought mushrooms are not toxic to canines. When you see mushrooms on a list of toxic foods, this only refers to some wild mushrooms. This includes but is not limited to Amanita, Clitocybe dealbata ,Agaricus, Boletus, and Entoloma. Bottom line, if you are not a mushroom expert, do not pick wild mushrooms for yourself and do not allow your Chihuahua to eat any mushrooms found growing outside. 

Raw hides, though long a common treat choice for dogs, are infamous for breaking off into pieces that either get stuck in a dog's esophagus or in his stomach or intestines. The reason is due to their durability and texture. These are made from the inner layer of cattle or horses and during treatment, are pressed into shape. They are not flexible at all, are very hard to digest and have caused countless dogs to have to receive emergency surgery.

There are much better options for Chihuahuas that like to chew. Look for all-natural, made in the U.S.A. treats that are made from sweet potatoes; these offer great chewing textures without the dangers.  

1. Immediately call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680. Do keep in mind that there is a fee to call the hotline. 

2. Follow their instructions. In some instances, you will be told to induce vomiting; in other cases, this can make matters worse. 

3. If you are told to induce vomiting to help expel the poison, the most effective method is give a dog hydrogen peroxide. For this reason, have both hydrogen peroxide and a liquid medication syringe on hand as part of your Chihuahua's first aid kit. The amount given is 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight (so, 1/2 teaspoon for a 5-pound Chihuahua). This is given every 15-to 20 minutes until the dog vomits. 

Giving Milk Products to a Chihuahua - Which milk based foods and drinks you can give to your Chihuahua and which ones you should steer clear of.