What foods are toxic to dogs? There are many human foods that are poisonous to dogs, from simple fruits to cooking ingredients. Here are 12 forbidden foods that you should keep out of your dog’s reach:
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Chocolates
You have probably heard plenty of times that chocolates are toxic to dogs, but do you know why these tasty sweets are bad for your dog? Chocolates contain a substance called theobromine, which is safe for humans but is toxic to dogs.
Dark chocolates particularly have higher theobromine content. If your dog eats these, they can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme thirst, abnormal rhythms, tremors, and seizure. At its worst, dogs eating chocolate may suffer from coma and even death.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Grapes and Raisins
Some fruits are toxic to dogs, such as grapes or raisins. Feeding your dog just a few pieces can make him sick and cause kidney failure, leading to vomiting and lethargy. If not immediately treated, the complications will be fatal to dogs.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Avocados
Next on our list of bad foods for dogs are avocados. 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. It can be life-threatening if not removed.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Onions and Garlic
If you regularly feed your dog large doses or small amounts of any of these 2 ingredients, they can destroy his red blood cells, leading to anaemia. Therefore, owners are advised not to share their meals with their furry companions.
Human foods usually contain both of these toxic foods for dogs. Watch out for signs of breathlessness, weakness, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Medicines for Humans
Medicines that are intended for human use can be poisonous to dogs. If your dog is sick, never give him paracetamol, as ingesting large amounts can lead to severe poisoning.
Keep any medications for humans out of your dog’s reach. Some drugs can be used on canines; however, this should never be administered without the vet’s advice.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Nuts
Most nuts are not toxic to dogs, but they can be 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. Moreover, most nuts (eg. Almonds, Walnuts, Pistachios, Pecans) are rich in fats, which cause stomach upset and pancreatitis. For this reason, it is better to avoid all types of nuts to be on the safe side.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Sugary Food and Drinks
Candy, gum, baked goodies, soda, and other sugary treats cause weight gain and tooth problems in dogs. These foods also contain the sweetener 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. Ingesting a small amount is enough to cause severe poisoning and death in dogs.
Xylitol is one of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes. It is also found in sugar-free foods, particularly peanut butters, puddings, and protein bars. Thus, be sure to check food labels before sharing the food with your dog.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – 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 eats yeast, his stomach will stretch, 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 to dogs.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Raw Eggs, Fish, and Meat
Although experts recommend cooking food to kill harmful bacteria and parasites, some pet owners are convinced that a raw diet is beneficial. However, it is not if introduced abruptly to dogs.
If you wish to feed your dog 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.
Tip:Whilst a 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.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Salt
Feeding your dog table food with high salt content is not a good idea. Excessive consumption of salt 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, complications may lead to kidney failure.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Milk and Other Dairy Products
Dogs generally have a hard time digesting dairy products such as milk, ice cream, cheese, and more. Dogs do not produce the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so most of them are lactose-intolerant.
Dairy can also cause allergies, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal diseases, and pancreatitis.
Foods Poisonous to Dogs – Processed Meat
Processed meats can be toxic to dogs. Bacon, ham, hotdog, sausage, and other processed meats are high in salt and fats, often causing pancreatitis in dogs.
These foods can upset their digestive system. As a result, it prompts dogs to drink too much water, leading to dog bloat. The following dog breeds are particularly prone to bloating:
- Akita
- Basset Hound
- Boxer
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd
- Great Dane
- Irish Setter
- Saint Bernard
- Standard Poodle
- Weimaraner
No matter how careful owners are, dogs could still accidentally consume any of these harmful foods. When the unthinkable happens, do not 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!
