Keep Out of Fido’s Reach; Top Foods You Should Never Feed Your Dog

 
 
 

Dog owners see their pups as family members. We can’t resist giving that one extra treat. We love to share snuggles with our pups. We even like to share our own food with our canine companions. However, some foods that are fine for humans can be downright toxic to dogs. The following food items illustrate that food does not equal love when it comes to your dog. In fact, here are some foods you should never feed your dog no matter how thick they lay on the puppy-eyed stare. Chocolate - Theobromine, though safe for humans, is what makes chocolate so toxic for dogs. Theobromine is an all-natural molecule found in chocolate and tea. Consumption of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, extreme thirst, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, and in worst cases, death. Coffee, Tea, and other Caffeinated items - Consumption of any food or beverage containing caffeine can cause a dog to experience hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, seizures, and possibly death. 2 Fatty meats - Enjoy the bacon, but keep it out of paws reach! Many people feed table scraps to their dogs. However, this can be dangerous as fatty meats can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Even if you’ve shared your ham and meat trimmings with Fido in the past, it’s a habit worth breaking. At the very least, these foods can cause upset stomachs and extreme thirst, causing dogs to drink too much water. Cooked Bones - Any bones your dog chews should be raw (uncooked). The danger with cooked bones is that they can splinter when chewed, causing pieces to become lodged in your pooches mouth, gums, or esophagus. Salty foods - Salt can cause a condition called sodium ion poisoning. This is the result of too much salt in the blood. Some symptoms of salt poisoning are convulsions, coma, and death. Garlic and Onions - Garlic and onions are part of the Allium family, and the compound found in these spices can damage a dog’s red blood cells. This can cause anemia, organ damage, organ failure, or death. Avocado - Although avocados have known health benefits for humans, dogs risk obstruction of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines if they eat some or all of a large avocado seed. Avocados are also high in fat. This can cause pancreatic inflammation. Xylitol - Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly found in sugar-free mints, gum, toothpaste, candy, and mouthwash. It is considered a healthy option for diabetic people and others watching their sugar consumption. It is now being added to certain baked goods, sugar-free beverages, and even peanut butter. However, in dogs, this sugar substitute stimulates the release of insulin, causing a dangerous drop in blood sugar. This can lead to seizures, coma, and death. Grapes and Raisins - Even a few grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, so it’s best to keep them safely out of paw’s reach. Peach and Plum Pits - Pits from these fruits contain trace amounts of cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs. Macadamia Nuts - Macadamia nuts are widely used in baked goods, as well as in items that contain chocolate (a double-dog whammy!). Although researchers have not determined what causes macadamia nuts to be toxic to dogs, they are at the top of the list of foods to keep away from Fido. 3 Alcohol - It might seem like a funny idea to see what happens if the dog has a drink, but it’s a terrible idea. Alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol can cause adverse reactions in your dog. The results can range from treatable to deadly. Your dog may experience difficulty with coordination, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, or possibly death. Raw Dough - The yeast in uncooked dough will continue to rise in your dog’s stomach. This can cause pain and blockages in your pup’s intestinal tract. When it comes to feeding your dog, stick with quality food designed for dogs. The begging “puppy eyes” might pull at your heartstrings, but feeding your dog a healthy diet will keep his heart healthy a lot longer.

 
 
Jade Green