Be careful what you feed your dog. What’s safe for you may not be safe for him.
Dogs love to eat. Whenever food is out, they come running, searching for fallen crumbs and begging for a bite. Looking up at you with those big puppy dog eyes, it can be hard to resist sharing what you’re eating. But before you give in to their begging, think twice. Novato Fit Body Boot Camp explains that many foods that are completely safe and healthy for human consumption can be quite dangerous and even life threatening for man’s best friend. Be careful not to feed your dog the wrong foods or leave them where your dog may get into them accidentally.
A safe doggie diet does not include these foods.
Chocolate
It’s a well-known fact that chocolate isn’t safe for canine companions. All types of chocolate contain an ingredient called theobromine that’s poisonous to dogs. The darker the chocolate is, the more toxic it is for dogs. Dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are two of the most dangerous, while white chocolate is the least poisonous—though still dangerous.
Even a small amount can make a dog vomit, have diarrhea, be extremely thirsty, have seizures, experience an irregular heartbeat, or even die.
Alcohol
It may be your beverage of choice during the game, but if Max gets a drink, he’s in trouble. Alcohol affects a dog’s liver and brain like it does humans’, but it takes a lot less to do damage. (The smaller your dog, the worse the effects.) The fitness professionals in Novato claim that just a little sip can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nervous system problems, loss of coordination, coma, and possible death.
Garlic and Onions
They make dinner divine, but garlic and onions are quite dangerous for Bella if eaten in large amounts or eaten frequently. Any form of onion and garlic (raw, cooked, or powdered) can kill a dog’s red blood cells and cause anemia. Symptoms include vomiting, muscle weakness, lack of interest in food, and shortness of breath.
Grapes and Raisins
They’re one of those foods that easily roll off the table for Spot to find on the floor, but just a few grapes or raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. It’s unknown why some dogs can eat grapes and raisins and be fine, while others become quite sick. Vomiting or diarrhea is the fist sign, then Spot will become depressed, weak, refuse to eat, urinate often, and then stop urinating as the kidneys begin to fail. The dog may suffer from long-term kidney disease or may die.
Caffeine
You can’t function in the morning without your cup or two of coffee, but if Buddy drank a cup, he’d be in trouble—and there’s no cure. When a dog is exposed to caffeine in coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, or certain medications, he may become restless, have a racing heartbeat, have muscle tremors, and begin to bleed.
Bones and Fat
No matter how much your dog begs for leftover fat trimmings and bones, don’t give them to her. This includes bacon! Too much fat can cause pancreatitis, an infection of the pancreas. Additionally, a dog can easily choke on small bones. If she swallows the bone, it may break and tear the digestive tract or cause an obstruction.
Yeast Dough
All bread bakers should beware the dangers posed by Daisy eating raw dough. Before bread bakes, it sits on the counter to rise. If a dog ate the dough, it would continue to rise in the dog’s stomach, causing horrible pain. Also, as the yeast ferments in the dough, it produces alcohol that can cause alcohol poisoning.
Additional Doggie Diet No Nos
The list of potentially dangerous foods for your dog also includes dairy products such as milk, ice cream, and cheese; macadamia nuts; candy or gum sweetened with the artificial sweetener xylitol; apple cores and peach, plum, and persimmon pits; raw eggs, meat, or fish; salt; human medications; spices; baking soda and baking powder; avocados; and moldy foods.
Dog Food
A dog may be man’s best friend, but that doesn’t mean they can eat what man eats. Keep your dog safe by feeding him or her a quality dog food that’s specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs. If you enjoy feeding your dog from the table, talk with your vet first and always be aware of doggie diet dangers.
Accidents Happen. In the event your dog eats a food that may be toxic, Novato fitness center urges you to call your local vet or the Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
