Warning signs that your dog might have consumed a toxic dose of allspice include:
More serious signs of an overdose include:
If you suspect that your dog has consumed a toxic amount of allspice, contact your veterinarian immediately.
The eugenol found in allspice is usually considered to be moderately toxic. However, if your dog consumes a high dose over a long period of time, it can lead to liver toxicity.
Allspice is not as toxic as some other spices and foods but you do need to use caution with it.
Allspice is toxic to cats so it’s important to keep allspice, cloves, and clove oil well away from your kitty.
Ginger: Yes. Ginger is safe for dogs and cats in small doses, and can even be used as a homeopathic treatment for motion sickness, nausea, and gastrointestinal problems. Ginger is also a natural anti-inflammatory and may be sprinkled onto your dog’s food or baked into homemade dog treats to help dogs with arthritis.
Pumpkin pie spice: No. Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of spices, containing nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. Because it contains nutmeg and cloves, pumpkin pie spice should not be shared with your pet or included in homemade pet treat recipes.
Colder weather is here, which means many of us are taking to indoor activities, including getting back into baking. Nowadays, you can find just about anything pumpkin spice; in addition to coffee, there’s also snacks, cereals, candy, liqueur, and even deodorant. It’s clear that we love our fall spices, and as you pull them out for this year’s baking, it’s a good idea to know which ones may be toxic to pets. So, which of the following spices are safe for dogs and cats to eat? Let’s review.
Allspice: No. Allspice also contains eugenols, so it’s best to avoid sharing this spice with pets. If your pet consumes a baked good made with allspice or cloves, it is unlikely to pose serious health issues since the quantity and concentration of the spice is typically very low. But because these spices are toxic to cats, be sure to keep allspice, cloves and clove oils well out of paws’ reach.
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical diagnosis or condition.
Diagnosis of Allspice Poisoning in Dogs
If you suspect your dog has consumed allspice, start by keeping an eye out for any of the symptoms mentioned above. Try to figure out how much allspice your dog may have consumed and bring any product packaging with you to the vet. They may also want to know if and when you started noticing any symptoms, as well as any recent illnesses or injuries your dog may have experienced. A veterinarian won’t be able to test your canine for all toxins, but they will be able to confirm a diagnosis of allspice poisoning if you saw your dog consuming it.
Your vet will often start with a quick physical exam to check your dogs vitals. Then, they may perform tests to determine if the liver and kidneys have been affected. These tests could include a urinalysis and blood work to check their red blood cell count. They’ll also check your pup’s pulse, body temperature, respiration, and reflexes to help determine how severe the poisoning is.
22 Common Foods That Will Kill Your Dog
By Charlotte Flint, DVM Staff Veterinarian at Pet Poison Helpline
Pumpkin spice foods and drinks are a huge trend this fall! In addition to the classic Starbucks lattes, we have seen pumpkin spice cookies, breads, bars, ice cream, yogurts, granolas and other cereals, soups, coffees, teas, beer, and other drinks in local stores and restaurants. A restaurant in California is even selling a pumpkin spice latte hamburger! As there is no escape from pumpkin spice this fall, it is important to know if these products are toxic if your pet accidentally ingests them.
Pumpkin spice products may or may not actually contain pumpkin. Pumpkin is not toxic to pets but can cause stomach upset, especially diarrhea because of its fiber content.
Pumpkin spice products are usually flavored with a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. It is important to remember the small amounts of these spices added to flavor foods usually will not be toxic to pets, and the risk of toxicity is highest if a pet gets into essential oils or the spices directly. Ingestion of very large amounts of cinnamon can potentially cause vomiting, diarrhea, lowered blood sugar, irritation of the mouth and lungs, and possibly changes in heart rate and issues with the liver. Nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin, and toxicity can cause symptoms including hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain, and possibly seizures. Ingestion of large amounts of ginger can cause stomach upset and lethargy. Cloves and allspice both contain a compound called eugenol, which can cause liver toxicity in cats.
The other ingredients in pumpkin spice flavored foods are usually the greatest toxic concern. The caffeine in coffee drinks and alcohol in beer and other alcoholic drinks can cause serious toxicity when ingested by pets. Rich cookies, breads, and other baked goods can cause stomach upset and possibly pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas. Some baked goods may also contain other toxic ingredients such as raisins, xylitol, macadamia nuts, or chocolate. Many pets are lactose-intolerant, so yogurts, ice cream, and other milk-based foods can also result in stomach upset.
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a potential toxin, contact your veterinarian or call Pet Poison Helpline right away at 1-800-213-6680.