Dogs should not, in general, eat and enjoy human food as these may be toxic and might lead to death. These foods categorize as avocados, garlic, chocolate, xylitol, yeast, cooked bones, raisins and grapes, caffeine, rhubarb, onion and leeks, alcohol, salt, citrus oil, dairy products, cat food, bacon, tobacco, nutmeg, fruit pits, seeds, mustard, and fat trimmings.
You should be careful when you are feeding your dog because they are different from us in terms of their metabolisms, and therefore, they can overeat rather easily. Let us talk about 22 foods that dogs have to be very careful of as they could cause the death of the dog when reached in large quantities. Dog owners can prevent their pets from eating these foods that are potentially harmful to your pet's health by keeping such foods away from your pet. Let's dive in!
1. Avocados: Avocados have a toxin called persin which is safe for humans but can make the heart of a dog too big and cause the dogs to suffer from breathing complications. Ensure your pet does not swallow avocado pits.
You should be careful when you are feeding your dog because they are different from us in terms of their metabolisms, and therefore, they can overeat rather easily. Let us talk about 22 foods that dogs have to be very careful of as they could cause the death of the dog when reached in large quantities. Dog owners can prevent their pets from eating these foods that are potentially harmful to your pet's health by keeping such foods away from your pet. Let's dive in!
1. Avocados: Avocados have a toxin called persin which is safe for humans but can make the heart of a dog too big and cause the dogs to suffer from breathing complications. Ensure your pet does not swallow avocado pits.
- Garlic: Garlic contains a compound called thiosulfate that dogs cannot digest. It accumulates in their bloodstream, causing their red blood cells to rupture and leading to anemia. Be cautious about sharing garlic-infused foods with your dog.
- Macadamia nuts: While macadamia nuts are healthy for humans, they can cause stomach irritation, weakness, and even temporary paralysis in dogs due to their different metabolism. Keep macadamia nuts away from your dog.
- Chocolate: Chocolate contains chemicals that dogs cannot process, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, internal bleeding, seizures, or even death. The severity of these effects depends on the amount and the dog's size.
- Xylitol: Xylitol is a sugar alcohol found in various fruits, vegetables, and sweetened products. It can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar levels and liver damage in dogs, resulting in weakness, vomiting, difficulty moving, and seizures. Keep xylitol-containing foods away from your dog.
- Yeast: Unbaked bread dough can ferment in a dog's stomach, leading to alcohol poisoning. Symptoms include bloating, extreme pain, and discomfort. Avoid letting your dog consume unbaked bread dough.
- Cooked bones: Cooked bones can splinter when chewed by dogs, causing mouth injuries, stomach inflammation, or even intestinal perforation. It's best to avoid giving cooked bones to your dog.
- Raisins and grapes: Even a small amount of raisins or grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs. Look out for excessive thirst and little urine output. Keep these fruits away from your dog.
- Caffeine: Coffee, tea, cocoa, and some soft drinks contain caffeine, which can lead to increased heart rate, abnormal heart rhythm, and lung failure in dogs. Symptoms include restlessness, excessive thirst, poor bladder control, vomiting, and diarrhea. Ensure your dog doesn't consume any caffeinated products.
- Rhubarb: Rhubarb contains oxalic acid, which can lead to kidney failure in dogs. Watch out for symptoms such as extreme drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, blood in the urine, or extreme thirst. Avoid giving rhubarb or foods containing rhubarb to your dog.
- Onions and leeks: Like garlic, onions and leeks can damage a dog's red blood cells and cause severe anemia. Keep these vegetables away from your dog's reach.
- Alcohol: Alcohol, even in small amounts, can be fatal for dogs. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include vomiting, difficulty breathing, and impaired muscle coordination. Keep all alcohol-containing products away from your dog.
- Salt: Salt poisoning can occur in dogs if they consume excessive amounts. Symptoms include depression, tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and seizures. Avoid feeding your dog salty snacks.
- Citrus oil: Cold-pressed citrus oil, often found in essential oils, can lead to liver failure in dogs. Keep citrus oils and any products containing them away from your dog.
- Dairy: Dogs are lactose intolerant, and consuming milk, cheese, or other dairy products can cause stomach issues, including diarrhea and vomiting. Limit your dog's consumption of dairy.
- Cat food: Cat food is formulated for the specific dietary needs of cats, which differ from those of dogs. Feeding your dog cat food in the long term can cause gastrointestinal upset, sickness, and diarrhea.
- Bacon: Bacon is high in fat and salt, and it can lead to pancreatitis in dogs. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. Avoid giving bacon or fat-trimmed meat to your dog.
- Tobacco: Nicotine poisoning can occur if a dog chews on or ingests tobacco products. Symptoms include restlessness, stomach upset, abnormal heart rate, convulsions, and tremors. Keep all tobacco products out of your dog's reach.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg contains myristicin, whichI apologize for the abrupt cutoff in my previous response. Here is the continuation:
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg contains myristicin, which can cause hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, and even seizures in dogs. Keep nutmeg away from your dog's reach.
- Peach pits: Peach pits contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. If a dog chews on or swallows a peach pit, it can lead to cyanide poisoning. Make sure your dog doesn't have access to peach pits.
- Mustard: Mustard contains ingredients like onions, garlic, and spices that can be harmful to dogs. Avoid giving your dog foods that contain mustard.
- Fat trimmings: While dogs need some fat in their diet, excessive fat, especially from trimmings or cooked meat, can lead to pancreatitis. It's best to avoid giving your dog large amounts of fat.
Please keep in mind that the list is just the tip of the iceberg, as there might be least expected foods that are toxic to dogs. In case of an emergency, like discovering that your pet has eaten something which is toxic to it or if it is displaying some abnormal symptoms, don't hesitate to contact your vet at once. They may help patients find the best options and recommend the required treatment.
In regards to feeding your dog, it's usually advisable that you stick with their usual dog food and treats, which have been formulated specifically for dogs. If you want to treat them with the human food once in a while, ensure that such food is not harmful and appropriate for them.
In regards to feeding your dog, it's usually advisable that you stick with their usual dog food and treats, which have been formulated specifically for dogs. If you want to treat them with the human food once in a while, ensure that such food is not harmful and appropriate for them.
