A dog can take about eight to 10 hours to digest food. If it has eaten something toxic, it may start showing symptoms three or four days later. This period could vary for multiple breeds and the type and intensity of the toxins they have ingested. Some poisons can go without any symptoms for many months. Keep these four toxic foods away from your dog. 

1. Chocolate
If you have the habit of sharing bits of chocolate with your dog as you eat it, the right time to stop it is now. Your dog might look as if they enjoy it and may even ask you for more but what you are feeding them is a toxin. Though it may not cause death, it can cause severe illness. Theobromine is a toxin in chocolate, and its percentage increases as the chocolates get darker. Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine, and it can lead to pancreatitis. Small bits may not cause harm, but it is better not to make it a habit as they could stealthily eat some and fall sick.

2. Corn on the cob
Corn may be nutritious, but a piece of corn on the cob is almost sure to take a dog to a surgeon. Even if your dog has chewed on it before swallowing, it is possible that the ingested cob-bits may not pass through the intestine. Signs of intestine blockage are frequent vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and lethargy. Since corn on the cob causes delayed symptoms, keeping them far away from the dogs is important.

3. Xylitol
Even a tiny amount of 0.05 grams of xylitol can be toxic to dogs. It is a sugar-free artificial sweetener added to candy, chewing gum, and breath mints. Gums contain about 0.22 to 1 gram of xylitol, way above the safe levels for dogs. If your dogs eat chewing gum or mint, it can cause low blood sugar, seizures, and liver failure. In some cases, it can also lead to death. Keep nut butter, mouthwash, sugar-free candy, toothpaste, and nasal sprays away from your dogs, especially if they chew anything that they can lay their paws on.

4. Macadamia nuts
If your dog eats macadamia nuts, it may not lead to death but can cause vomiting, hypothermia, and CNS depression. Among pets, dogs are the only reported animals that react to macadamia nuts. This condition is called macadamia nut toxicosis. Doctors treat severe symptoms with IV fluids, analgesics, and antipyretics.

Symptoms of toxic ingestion in dogs
Since most symptoms of toxic ingestion are seen after many months, dog parents tend to check what their dog ate in the last couple of days and ignore the symptoms. If you see poisoning symptoms and symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and seizures, it could result from what the dog had eaten months or weeks earlier. Take them to a vet immediately to prevent further complications.