A warning has been issued following the deaths of three dogs in Dartford after they ingested blue-green algae at Brooklands Lake.

News Shopper:
Brooklands Lake off Powder Mill Lane was cordoned off

News Shopper has been looking at other things canines should not eat and be fed at any cost as well as knowing what to look out for if they do swallow the wrong things. 

Chocolate

Chocolate is a big no for dogs as theobromine - an alkaloid of the cacao plant - can be toxic.

Common symptoms include deep panting, vomiting, and diarrhoea, as well as affecting your dog’s heartbeat and nervous system.

Caffeine is a big problem with chocolate too so keep the sweets away.

Coffee

You might find coffee helpful to stay awake but your dog doesn’t.

Caffeine will affect your dog’s heartbeat and like chocolate, can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and panting which, in extreme circumstances, can cause death.

Corn on the cob

Corn on the cob may get stuck in our teeth but it can clog up a canine’s small intestine as it doesn’t break down in the stomach, causing blockages and possible haemorrhaging.

If your dog snacks on one of these, it will most likely need to be removed surgically.

Avocado

Avocados contain a fungicidal toxin called persin, which can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and heart congestion in dogs and also cats.

Grapes and raisins

Owners should make sure that their dogs don’t eat grapes as they contain a toxin that can cause the animal to develop acute kidney or renal failure with anuria - a lack of urine production.

Vomiting and diarrhoea are often the first signs of grape or raisin toxicity.

News Shopper:
Actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s dog died last year after ingesting wild mushrooms.

Macadamia nuts

These nuts can cause physical weakness, lethargy, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia affecting the nervous system.

The toxin combination is not known but is a member of the protaceae plant family.

Onions and chives

It’s a bad idea to feed your dogs onions as they join with hemoglobin in the red blood cells, forming clumps which mean they can't take in as much oxygen.

Signs of low oxygen levels include lethargy, weakness, red urine, and pale gums.

Garlic can cause the same problems as onions, but as it's only used in small amounts, pooches aren't likely to ingest enough of the toxin for it to be a problem.

Persimmons, peaches and plums

Be careful if you live near or walk past persimmon, peach or plum trees.

The juicy part of the fruits are good for dogs to eat, as with a plum which is high in vitamin C, iron and antioxidant qualities.

Persimmon seeds and peach and plum pits can cause big problems for the dog’s intestine however.

The seeds and pits contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs creating blockages and enteritis - inflammation of the intestine, especially the small intestine.

Look out for your dog defecating a lot more than usual if this is the case.

Blue-green algae

Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, found in lakes and ponds, creates lethal cyanotoxins which are some of the most powerful natural poisons in the world.

Initial symptoms of algae poisoning include muscle tremors, an increased breathing rate, vomiting, diarrhoea, collapses and seizures – and can progress to death in as little as 15 minutes.

Toxic Plants

If you're walking your dog off the lead and you're worried about what plants they should or should not be sniffing and licking News Shopper has an A-Z guide which you can look at by clicking here.