10 Foods to Never Give your Dog
As all dog owners know, it is inevitable that your dog one day will come up to you during lunch and give you that puppy eyed look in attempt to get some of your delicious food. This is often accompanied with whining and prodding. Eventually, this will make you question if the food you’re eating is okay to give to your dog. Well, I have good news! Today, we will be going over foods you should never give your dog(s) and their side effects.
Chocolate
Every dog owner knows to never give their dog chocolate, but not many know exactly why chocolates should be avoided.
Chocolate contains two ingredients that are lethal to dogs -caffeine and theobromine. It is important to note that caffeine is commonly found in coffee as well so don’t plan on offering your pup coffee! These two ingredients are what cause symptoms of chocolate consumption in dogs -restlessness, hyperactivity, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors/shaking, and hyperthermia. Signs that your dog is experiencing serious toxicity include stiffness, ataxia, seizures and coma, and at worst, death. Because of this, I would highly recommend you to hide your treasure of chocolates into a sealed container and put it away into a cabinet where your canine cannot reach. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Avocado
This may come as a surprise to you, but avocados should be avoided. Although avocados are deemed as a superfood for humans, it is not the same case for our furry friends. This is because avocados contain a substance called persin, and this is toxic to dogs. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.
Raisins and Grapes
Raisins and grapes are both highly toxic to dogs. Small quantities of it can even cause kidney failure and sometimes even death. However, it is currently unknown what part of the grape/raisin causes complications in dogs. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so I would still highly advise you to steer your dog clear from grapes and raisins at all times.
Onions, Garlic, and Chives
Onions, garlic, and chives are part of the Allium genus and contain a substance called organosulfide, which is toxic to dogs. Organosulfide can lead to diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, and anemia.
Nuts
Most nuts are toxic to dogs and can cause muscle weakness, lethargy, vomiting, and hyperthermia. They are a choking hazard for dogs and many dogs also have nut allergies.
Alcohol
Alcohol is very dangerous for dogs to consume as it can lead to serious consequences such as coma and death. Never give your dog alcohol or products that contain alcohol.
Yeast Dough
Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to build up in your dog’s digestive system. This can be painful for the dog and can also cause the stomach to bloat. Worse, it can potentially twist their organs, resulting in a trip to the emergency room. Plus, yeast produces ethanol (alcohol) as well, which can harm the dog’s health due to its high toxicity.
Salt
Avoid giving your dog large amounts of salt. Salt can result in increased thirst, urination, sodium ion poisoning, vomiting, depression, tremors, hyperthermia, diarrhea, seizures, and even death. High salt consumption is also linked to increased shedding and skin irritation in dogs.
Raw Meat and Eggs
Raw meat and raw eggs have the potential to contain bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella which can be harmful to not only our dogs, but also to humans as well. This is why it’s important to serve your dog cooked food rather than raw. In addition, raw eggs contain avidin which decreases the absorption of biotin. A decrease in biotin can result in skin and coat issues.
Bones
Contrary to popular belief, you should at all times avoid giving your dog bones. This is because the bone can splinter, resulting in a serious internal injury to your pup in their digestive tract if they consume it. Bones also are a choking hazard.
Thank you for reading this blog on what foods you should not give your dog. I hope this enlightened you and I hope this information will help your dog live a longer and healthier life. Make sure to wash your hands and wear a mask. Stay safe and see you next time!
Citations:
[1] “Human Foods for Dogs: Which Foods Are Safe for Dogs?” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324453.
[2] “People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets.