Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat
Who can resist those big brown eyes and cute doggy grin? Can a little treat from the table or getting into mom or dad’s stuff really harm your dog? It depends on what it is and what’s in it. If it contains the sweetener xylitol, it can cause your dog some real problems. In fact, there are a lot of products your dog should never eat. And it’s not just because of the weight. Some foods are downright dangerous for dogs, and some of these common foods may surprise you.
Quick Look
- Xylitol
- Avocado
- Alcohol
- Onion and garlic
- Coffee, Tea and Other Caffeine
- Grapes and Raisins
- Milk and Other Dairy Products
- Macadamia Nuts
- Chocolate
- Dates, Peaches and Plums
- Raw Egg
- Raw Meat and Fish
- Salt
- Sugary Foods and Drinks
- Sourdough
Xylitol
Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. It can cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Early symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and problems with coordination. Eventually, your dog may have seizures. Liver failure can occur in just a few days.
Avocado
Is a treat from the table okay for your dog? It depends on what it is. Avocados, for example, have something called persin. It’s fine for those who aren’t allergic to it. But too much can cause vomiting or diarrhea in dogs. If you’re growing avocados at home, keep your dog away from the plant. Persin is found in the leaves, seeds, and bark, as well as in the fruit. Avocado pits can also get stuck in the intestines or stomach, and a blockage can be fatal.
Alcohol
Alcohol has the same effects on a dog’s liver and brain as it does on humans. But it takes much less time to harm your dog. Just a little beer, liquor, wine, or alcoholic beverages can be bad. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, problems with coordination, breathing problems, coma, and even death. And the younger your dog, the worse it can be.
Onion and Garlic
Keep onions and garlic, whether powdered, raw, cooked or dried, away from your dog. They can kill red blood cells and cause anemia. Even onion powder in some baby foods is this. Eating too much just once can cause poisoning . Look for signs like weakness, vomiting and breathing problems.
Coffee, Tea and Other Caffeine
If you want them to be spoiled, give your dog toys. Caffeine can be deadly. Be careful with coffee and tea, even beans and grounds. Keep your dog away from cocoa, chocolate, cola, and energy drinks. Caffeine is also found in some cold medicines and painkillers. Think your dog has ingested caffeine? Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Grapes and Raisins
There are better treats to give your dog. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog sick. Repeated vomiting is an early sign. Within a day, your dog will become lethargic and depressed.
Milk and Other Dairy Products
On a hot day, it can be tempting to share your ice cream with your dog. Instead, give them some cold water. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive issues for your pup. They can also trigger food allergies that can cause them to itch.
Macadamia Nuts
Keep your dog away from macadamia nuts and foods containing macadamia nuts. Just six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog sick. Look for signs like muscle tremors in the hind legs, vomiting, a high temperature and weakness. Eating chocolate with nuts can make symptoms worse, even leading to death.
Chocolate
Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The problem with chocolate is theobromine. It is found in all types of chocolate, including white chocolate. The most dangerous types are dark chocolate and unsweetened bakery chocolate. Chocolate can cause a dog to vomit and have diarrhea. It can also cause heart problems , tremors, seizures, and death.
Fat Fixes and Bones
Fats from both cooked and uncooked meats can cause pancreatitis in dogs. And while it may seem natural to give a dog bones, they can choke him. Bones can also break down and become lodged in your dog's digestive system, causing blockages or cuts.
Dates, Peaches and Plums
The problem with these fruits is the seeds or pits. Date palm seeds can cause problems in a dog's small intestine. They can also block their intestines. This can also happen if a dog eats a peach or plum pit. Peach and plum pits also contain cyanide , which is poisonous to humans and dogs. People know not to eat them. Dogs don't.
Raw Egg
Some people feed their dogs a "raw diet" that includes uncooked eggs. However, major veterinary associations don't think this is a good idea. There is a possibility of food poisoning from bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli. Talk to your veterinarian if you have questions.
Raw Meat and Fish
Raw meat and fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. Some fish, such as salmon, trout, shad, or sturgeon, can also have a parasite that causes "fish disease" or "salmon poisoning disease." It can be treated, but get help right away. The first symptoms are vomiting, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. Cook the fish thoroughly to kill the parasite.
Salt
It’s not a good idea to share salty foods like chips or pretzels with your dog. Eating too much salt can cause your dog to become severely dehydrated. This means one too many trips to the fire hydrant and can lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high temperatures and seizures. It can even lead to death.
Sugary Foods and Drinks
Too much sugar can do the same thing to dogs as it does to people. It can make your dog overweight and cause problems with their teeth. It can even lead to diabetes .
Sourdough
Bread dough needs to rise before it can be baked. And that's exactly what your dog's stomach would do if he ate it. As it swells inside, the dough can stretch your dog's stomach and cause a lot of pain. Also, when the yeast ferments the dough to rise, it produces alcohol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning.