Are you concerned about giving your dog human food that will make it sick? You ought to be! Many dangerous foods are safe for human consumption but hazardous to dogs.
In this article, we’ll review a few dangerous foods that you should never give to your canine companion.
Chocolate
Chocolate is among the most dangerous foods for dogs, but it causes more than just diarrhea and bellyaches. Seizures, heart palpitations, and death can occur if a dog consumes enough chocolate. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain significantly larger concentrations of Theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Likewise, dogs cannot eat cupcakes and sweets, but Kate Barrington has a great article on dog cupcakes if you want to give your dog a treat.
Onions and garlic
Onions and garlic are highly toxic to dogs. Onions and garlic, like chocolate and sweets, can kill your dog. Onions and garlic poisoning are especially dangerous to older pets. Garlic powder, which can be present in various meals, can hurt your dog’s health. Anything with onion or garlic, including flavored potato chips, should be avoided by your dog.
If your dog has eaten garlic or onions, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately and keep an eye on them. Your dog may appear weak, vomit, or have respiratory difficulties. If the latter occurs, take your pet to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.
Bones and animal fat trimmings
Though it may seem strange to deny a dog a bone, skipping the rawhides and animal bones is ultimately healthier for your dog’s health. Bones can splinter, causing injury to your dog’s teeth as well as their digestive system if they digest bone fragments. Eating raw and cooked fat and trimmings causes pancreatitis in dogs, so avoid it wherever feasible.
Grapes and raisins
Isn’t it surprising? What appears to be a harmless treat for your dog is highly toxic. Grapes and raisins cause kidney disease in dogs. When dogs eat too many grapes or raisins, they may vomit. If your dog eats grapes or raisins, they will likely become drowsy and depressed. As quickly as possible, contact a veterinarian if your pup eats this item on the list of most dangerous foods.
Caffeine of any kind
Whether it’s in the form of coffee, tea, or energy drinks, caffeine is particularly harmful to dogs. Keep them away from anything that contains caffeine, and keep caffeinated beverages away from your dog. Caffeine overdoses can be lethal to dogs. Get your dog to the vet as soon as possible if they have consumed caffeine.
Macadamia nuts
Veterinarians and experts aren’t sure what makes this nut hazardous to dogs; it’s entirely safe for humans and doesn’t harm cats. We do not know the precise toxin or method of biological activity that causes the symptoms of poisoning, just as we do not know the specific toxin or component that causes the symptoms of poisoning in grapes and raisins.
However, we know that even a tiny quantity of Macadamia nuts can have serious side effects. Even as little as 1/10 of an ounce per roughly 2 pounds of weight can cause symptoms in a dog, so if you’re thinking about giving your dog a taste, think twice.
Yeast
While a slice of bread occasionally is unlikely to upset your dog, eating yeast can cause serious problems, whether your dog sneaks some yeast from a packet or scarfs down some dough that has been allowed to rise. Yeast keeps rising and develops inside a dog’s warm stomach after being consumed, which can cause a potentially fatal case of bloat, known medically as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV). When yeast ferments, it also creates ethanol, which can enter your dog’s bloodstream causing alcohol poisoning.
Conclusion: Keep dangerous foods away from dogs
Dogs, like humans, are one-of-a-kind. Though there is a list of items that you should never consume, each dog has its sensitivities and nutritional requirements. Consult your vet about dog-friendly foods and allergy testing if you’re unsure how to feed your dog. If you’re uncertain whether or not anything you want to feed your dog is safe, don’t! That’s all there is to it.
There are numerous dog-friendly recipes, store-bought treats, and fresh vegetables that can help your pet’s health. Ask your vet about pet-friendly treats, and then go shopping with your dog! You’ll both be glad you did it in the end.