Oftentimes when you eat something, your dog rushes and looks intently at you. As hypnotising as they may seem, don’t let those puppy eyes trick you into sharing your food. What you are eating may well be poison food for dogs.
There are a lot of human food that are toxic to your dog. This is why you must always read the labels before you feed any human food to your furry buddy.
Here are some of those forbidden poison food for dogs:
Chocolates
You have probably heard about this plenty of times, but do you actually know why these tasty sweets are bad for your dog? Chocolates contain theobromine, which is not harmful to humans but is toxic to dogs. Dark chocolates particularly have higher theobromine content. It can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme thirst, abnormal rhythms, tremors, and seizure. At its worst, it can be fatal for your canine friend.
Grapes and Raisins
Not all fruits are safe for dogs. In fact, some fruits such as grapes or raisins can be life-threatening. Feeding dogs just a few pieces can make them sick and cause renal failure, leading to vomiting and lethargy. If not immediately treated, the complications will be fatal for dogs.
Avocado
The fruit, seed, bark, and leaves contain persin, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs. In addition, the seed can also cause obstruction in the stomach or intestine, which can be life-threatening.
Onions and Garlic
Feeding large doses or small amounts of any of these two regularly can destroy canine red blood cells, leading to anaemia. As such, owners should not share their meals with their furry companions because they are usually cooked with onion and garlic. Look out for signs of breathlessness, weakness, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Processed Meat
Bacon, ham, hotdog, sausage, and other processed meats are high in salt and fats, often causing pancreatitis in dogs. They can also cause upset stomach that prompts dogs to drink too much water, leading to bloat. The following breeds are particularly prone to bloating:
- German shepherd
- Boxer
- Saint Bernard
- Doberman pinscher
- Irish setter
- Great Dane
- Standard poodle
- Basset hound
- Weimaraner
- Akita
RELATED: Dog Bloat: What Are the Signs and How Do You Treat It?
Milk and Other Dairy Food
Dogs generally have a hard time digesting dairy products such as milk, ice cream, cheese, and others. As dogs do not produce the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, most are lactose intolerant. Dairy can cause allergies, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal diseases, and pancreatitis.
Salty Food
Table food with too much salt content can lead to sodium ion poisoning in canine pets. This is why owners must not add salt to dog food. Too much salt in their diet can cause excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, seizures, and bloat. In the worst cases, the complications may lead to a fatal end.
Sugary Food and Drinks
Candy, gum, baked goodies, soda, and other sugary treats cause weight gain and tooth problems. Not only that, but they also contain xylitol, which is harmful to dogs. This ingredient causes blood sugar levels to drop and liver failure, plus the following symptoms: vomiting, lethargy, seizures, and loss of coordination. It can eventually lead to a fatal conclusion.
Raw Eggs, Fish, and Meat
Although experts recommend cooking food to kill harmful bacteria and parasites, some pet owners are convinced that raw diet is beneficial. However, it is not if introduced abruptly to dogs.
If you wish to feed your own raw pet food, veterinarians recommend making a gradual transition to prevent gastrointestinal issues. For dogs that already have GI issues, the shift to a raw diet must be made after a consultation with a vet.
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Tips: Whilst raw diet might be beneficial for your dog, there are certain bacteria and parasites that can be obtained by your dog through eating raw food. These organisms might not be harmful to your dog but dangerous for dog owners. These organisms could be transmitted through doggy kisses, so please take extra care in cleaning your dog’s mouth area after mealtime.
Yeast, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, and Other Baking Ingredients
If you use yeast, store it in a safe place and be extra careful with your raw yeast dough. If a dog accidentally ingests yeast, its stomach stretches, which can be very painful. Since yeast generates alcohol when it ferments, it can also cause alcohol poisoning. Other baking ingredients, such as nutmeg and spices, are also toxic for dogs.
Almonds, Walnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pistachios, Pecans, and Other Nuts
Whilst most nuts are not toxic for dogs, they are difficult to digest, often causing gastric intestinal upset. Walnuts contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that can cause seizures. Macadamia nuts reportedly contain an unknown toxic component that triggers neurological symptoms. It is better to avoid all types of nuts to be on the safe side.
Medicines for Humans
Be cautious when it comes to medicines as they can be poisonous to dogs. In fact, if your dog is sick, never give paracetamol.
No matter how careful owners are, dogs could still accidentally consume any of these harmful foods. When the unthinkable happens, don’t attempt any treatments as they may cause more harm than good. Immediately contact your local vet for proper treatment.
Do you have other forbidden foods to add to the list? Please leave a comment below to share your knowledge with other dog owners!
WATCH this video on foods that are harmful for dogs:
