Onions, Garlic, and the Entire Allium Family

This is one of the most important things for pet owners in the UAE to know: onions and garlic are toxic to both dogs and cats, and they are used daily in most kitchens in Sharjah and across the region.

All parts of the allium plant family are dangerous — this includes onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, spring onions, and chives, in every form: raw, cooked, dried, and powdered. The compound N-propyl disulfide damages red blood cells, leading to haemolytic anaemia — a condition where the body destroys its own blood cells faster than it can replace them.

Cats are more sensitive than dogs, but both species are at risk. Powdered forms — like garlic powder or onion powder used in seasonings and gravies — are more concentrated and therefore more dangerous by weight than fresh forms.

The damage is also cumulative. Small, repeated exposures over time can cause toxicity even without a single large ingestion. This is why feeding pets leftover rice, curries, biryanis, or any dish seasoned with these ingredients is genuinely harmful, even if it seems like “just a little bit.”

Signs of allium toxicity: Weakness, pale or yellowish gums, rapid breathing, reduced appetite, reddish-brown urine, and lethargy — often appearing 2 to 5 days after ingestion as the red blood cell damage accumulates.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs, and the mechanism is not fully understood — which makes this toxin particularly concerning because there is no reliably safe amount. Individual sensitivity varies widely: some dogs have eaten significant quantities without apparent effect, while others have developed kidney failure from a small number of grapes.

Because of this unpredictable variability, veterinary toxicologists recommend treating any grape or raisin ingestion as an emergency. The suspected toxic compound is tartaric acid, which dogs are unable to safely metabolise.

Products containing raisins are common in many UAE households — fruit cake, trail mix, certain biscuits, and some baked goods. Be aware of what is in shared snacks and foods left accessible on countertops.

Signs of grape or raisin toxicity: Vomiting and diarrhoea within hours of ingestion, followed by lethargy, abdominal pain, and decreasing or absent urination as kidney failure develops.

Xylitol — The Hidden Sweetener

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that has become increasingly widespread in food products globally, including in the UAE. It is found in sugar-free chewing gum, certain peanut butter brands, sugar-free candy, some protein bars, certain vitamin supplements, mouthwash, and even some medications.

In dogs, xylitol triggers a sudden and disproportionate release of insulin, causing severe hypoglycaemia (dangerously low blood sugar) within 30 to 60 minutes of ingestion. At higher doses, xylitol also causes acute liver failure — which can be fatal even with treatment.

A critical warning for pet owners: Always check peanut butter labels before offering it to your dog as a treat or using it to give medication. Some widely available peanut butter brands contain xylitol, and this is one of the most common xylitol poisoning scenarios we see.

Signs of xylitol toxicity develop quickly and include vomiting, sudden weakness or wobbliness, collapse, and seizures. This is a genuine emergency — contact your vet immediately.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine (and caffeine), compounds that dogs and cats metabolise far more slowly than humans. While the levels in a small milk chocolate piece may cause only mild digestive upset in a large dog, the same amount can be dangerous in a small dog, and dark chocolate and baking chocolate are dangerous in any amount for most pets.

The severity of toxicity depends on the type of chocolate, the amount consumed, and the body weight of the animal:

• Baking chocolate and cocoa powder — highest theobromine concentration, most toxic
• Dark chocolate — high risk
• Milk chocolate — moderate risk, dose-dependent
• White chocolate — lowest theobromine, but still high in sugar and fat

Signs of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, excessive thirst, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, and seizures in severe cases. If your pet has consumed any quantity of dark chocolate or baking chocolate, or more than a small amount of milk chocolate, contact Diamond Claw immediately.

Human Medications

According to the ASPCA’s 2024 toxin data, over-the-counter human medications were the single most common cause of pet poisoning calls, accounting for more than 16% of all cases. The most frequently involved medications included pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins and supplements, antidepressants, and ADHD medications.

For pet owners in Sharjah, the most important points are:

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is extremely dangerous to cats — a single standard tablet can cause fatal red blood cell destruction and liver failure. It is also harmful to dogs.
• Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure in pets at doses far lower than the human therapeutic range.
• Never give your pet any human medication unless it has been specifically prescribed by your veterinarian at the correct dose for your pet’s weight and species.

Store all medications in closed cabinets. Do not leave pills on countertops, bedside tables, or in accessible bags.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts cause a distinctive syndrome in dogs characterised by weakness in the hindquarters, tremors, fever, and vomiting — typically within 12 hours of ingestion. While macadamia toxicity is rarely fatal on its own, it causes significant suffering. Be cautious of imported snack mixes, cookies, and trail mixes that may contain macadamia nuts.

Alcohol

Even small amounts of alcohol cause rapid and severe effects in pets due to their small body size. Beer, wine, spirits, alcohol-based desserts, and even alcoholic hand sanitiser are all dangerous. Signs include disorientation, vomiting, low blood sugar, and respiratory depression. Never give a pet alcohol under any circumstance.