As a pet owner, it’s natural to want to share your favorite foods with your furry friend. However, dogs have different digestive systems and nutritional needs than humans.
Many foods that are perfectly safe for us can be dangerous, or even fatal, for dogs. Knowing which foods to avoid is crucial to keep your pet healthy and happy. Here’s a list of 15 common foods you should never feed your dog.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous due to their higher theobromine content. Always keep chocolate out of your dog’s reach, and be extra cautious during holidays like Halloween and Christmas when chocolate treats are more prevalent.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Symptoms may include vomiting, lethargy, and depression. Even small quantities can be harmful; some dogs are more sensitive to these fruits than others. It’s best to keep grapes and raisins completely out of your dog’s diet to avoid any risk of serious illness.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic, whether raw, cooked, or powdered, can damage a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Symptoms include weakness, vomiting, breathlessness, and a decreased appetite. While small amounts might not cause immediate harm, repeated exposure can have cumulative toxic effects. Avoid feeding your dog any food seasoned with onion or garlic.
Avocado
Avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. While the flesh is less toxic than the pit, skin, and leaves, it’s still best to avoid giving avocados to your pet. The pit also poses a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockage if swallowed. Always keep avocados out of your dog’s reach.
Alcohol
Alcohol has a much stronger effect on dogs than on humans. Even small amounts can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, and even death. Be mindful of foods containing alcohol, such as certain desserts or cooking sauces. Ensure that alcoholic beverages are never left unattended around your dog.
Caffeine
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and certain medications. It stimulates the central nervous system and can lead to hyperactivity, restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors in dogs. In severe cases, it can be fatal. Make sure your dog doesn’t have access to any caffeinated products.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs. These symptoms typically appear within 12 hours of ingestion and can last up to 48 hours. Even a small amount of macadamia nuts can be harmful, so it’s best to keep these nuts out of your dog’s diet entirely.
Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener in many sugar-free products, such as gum, candy, and baked goods. It causes a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be life-threatening. Symptoms include vomiting, loss of coordination, and seizures. Always check labels for xylitol before sharing any human food with your dog.
Cooked Bones
While raw bones can benefit dogs, cooked bones are a different story. Cooking bones makes them brittle, increasing the risk of splintering and causing internal injuries or blockages. If you want to give your dog a bone, ensure it’s raw and appropriately sized to avoid potential hazards.
Fat Trimmings and Bones
Fat trimmings from meat, whether cooked or raw, can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and dehydration. It’s also important to avoid giving your dog bones that can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries.
Raw Eggs
Raw eggs pose a risk of salmonella or E. coli infection in dogs. Additionally, an enzyme in raw egg whites called avidin can interfere with the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin, leading to skin and coat problems. Cooked eggs, on the other hand, are safe and can be a healthy treat for your dog in moderation.
Raw Fish
Raw fish, especially salmon, can contain parasites that cause “salmon poisoning disease,” which can be fatal if not treated. Symptoms include vomiting, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. Always cook fish thoroughly before feeding it to your dog to kill any harmful parasites and bacteria.
Salt
Excessive salt intake can lead to sodium ion poisoning in dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high temperature, and seizures. In severe cases, it can be fatal. Avoid sharing salty snacks like chips or pretzels with your dog; ensure they always have access to fresh water.
Yeast Dough
Yeast dough can rise and expand in your dog’s stomach, causing painful bloating and potential twisting of the stomach, which is a life-threatening condition. Additionally, the fermentation process produces alcohol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning. Keep any unbaked dough well out of reach of your dog.
Milk and Dairy Products
Many dogs are lactose intolerant, meaning they have difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. Consuming dairy can lead to digestive upset, including diarrhea and gas. While small amounts of certain dairy products might be tolerated, it’s generally best to avoid giving your dog milk and dairy.
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Victoria Cornell helps women adopt a positive mindset even when the struggles of motherhood feel overwhelming. Victoria writes for multiple media outlets where she writes about, saving money, retirement, ways to reduce stress with mindset, manifesting, goal planning, productivity, and more.
