Dogs are our loyal companions and, as natural scavengers, they’ll eat almost anything you offer them. Many people share their food with their dogs because it’s hard to resist those soulful eyes staring up at you, eagerly waiting for a bite.
While your intentions may be good, experts advise against giving your dog scraps from your plate. This practice can lead to bad habits like begging and overfeeding, which can cause obesity. More importantly, you might unknowingly offer your dog food that is safe for humans but toxic to dogs. Most people know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but it may come as a surprise that many of the treats we love can harm our furry friends.
As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to know the foods that can harm or potentially kill your dog.
9 common foods you should avoid giving your canine companion
1. Avocado
Avocado contains persin, a toxin harmful to dogs. Symptoms of persin poisoning include coughing, lethargy, panting, cyanosis, and heart damage within 24-48 hours. The high fat and calorie content can also cause weight gain and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Additionally, the pit is a choking hazard and can cause intestinal obstructions.
2. Onions, garlic, and chives
Onions and anything in this family are unhealthy dog treats, whether powdered, raw, or cooked. They can destroy your dog’s red blood cells, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, weakness, lack of appetite, pale gums, shortness of breath, dark urine, and rapid heart rate due to hemolytic anemia.
3. Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. Just a tiny amount can cause kidney failure. Unfortunately, experts don’t exactly know how these fruits affect your dog, so it’s difficult to know how many will harm your dog. So, avoid them entirely.
4. Macadamia nuts
Even small amounts of macadamia nuts are harmful because they cause weakness, difficulty walking, panting, muscle tremors, distress, and hyperthermia. Like grapes and raisins, the mechanism behind these symptoms is unknown, so don’t use them as treats.
Besides macadamia nuts, avoid other nuts such as almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, and peanuts. These nuts may not be directly toxic, but their high fat content may not be healthy in the long run.
5. Raw eggs and raw fish
Cooked eggs are safe, but raw eggs may contain Salmonella or E. coli, which can lead to food poisoning. They also contain avidin, which limits the absorption of biotin, leading to skin and growth problems.
On the other hand, a regular diet of raw fish can lead to thiamine deficiency. Symptoms include weakness, loss of coordination, loss of appetite, seizures, and the neck bending downwards (ventroflexion of the neck). Some of these symptoms can also be seen in cats.
6. Liver
Liver is a nutritious food for humans and may be okay for your dog in small quantities. However, it has high vitamin A levels, which may be toxic in large amounts or if fed more than once per week. It leads to anorexia, weight loss, and bone problems.
7. Alcohol
Never give alcohol to your dog because, even in small amounts, it’s quite dangerous. Alcohol has the same effects on dogs that it has on humans, but the dosage it takes to hurt dogs is a lot less. Effects on dogs include vomiting, breathing problems, coordination issues, coma, a slow heart rate, and seizures. It may lead to death, depending on the size of your dog.
Also, hops used to make beer can cause severe hyperthermia (abnormally high body temperature) in dogs. Greyhounds are especially vulnerable to this beer ingredient.
8. Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener in toothpaste, gum, sweets, and certain baked goods. Your dog’s body thinks the treat is natural sugar, causing their pancreas to produce massive amounts of insulin. This makes your dog’s blood sugar drop dramatically, leading to vomiting, lethargy, coordination problems, and sometimes seizures. Eventually, it may lead to liver failure in a matter of days.
9. Marijuana
With the decriminalization of marijuana, it’s important to note that its THC component is toxic to dogs. Symptoms include dribbling urine, slowness, neurological stimulation, hyperactivity, and coma. In severe cases, marijuana ingestion can be fatal. This risk extends to cannabis edibles, which are often made with ingredients like chocolate and xylitol, compounding the danger. Keep all forms of marijuana, including edibles, securely out of your dog’s reach to ensure their safety.
Takeaway
We love our dogs and want to give them the best. However, it’s crucial to avoid foods that are harmful to them. Healthy treats from your table include cooked lean meats, rice, pasta, peanut butter, mandarins, bananas, and vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and green beans. Always ensure that human food makes up no more than 5-10 percent of your dog’s diet and consult your vet before introducing any new foods.
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