Some Foods You Are Feeding Your Dog Could be Toxic
Are there human foods that are toxic to dogs? Absolutely! Sometimes it’s tempting to give into those begging puppy dog eyes and share a few scraps of table food. Most of the time, it’s harmless.
Maybe your dog is showing signs that she is hungry and that little snack will help your fur buddy till mealtime. Before you happily hand out a treat to your pet, beware. Some common household food items are actually toxic for our fur babies.
It’s important to be aware of these foods to avoid any complications or unexpected trips to the vet. Here are six common foods that you should avoid giving to your dog.
If you have a cat, check out the list of common household foods to avoid! For wiener dog parents, here’s a list of foods Dachshunds should avoid!
#1. Avocados
Avocados have something called persin. It’s fine for people who aren’t allergic to it. But too much might cause vomiting or diarrhea in dogs. If you grow avocados at home, keep your dog away from the plant. Persin is in the leaves, seed, and bark, as well as the fruit. Also, the avocado seed can become stuck in the intestines or stomach, and obstruction could be fatal.
#2. Xylitol
Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, some peanut butter as well as some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. It can cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Early symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and coordination problems. Eventually, your dog may have seizures. Liver failure can happen within just a few days.
#3. Alcohol
Alcohol has the same effect on a dog’s liver and brain that it has on people. But it takes a lot less to hurt your dog. Just a little beer, liquor, wine, or food with alcohol can be bad. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, breathing problems, coma, even death. And the smaller your dog, the worse it can be.
#4. Onions and Garlic
Keep onions and garlic — powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated — away from your dog. They can kill his red blood cells, causing anemia. That’s even the onion powder in some baby food. A rare small dose is probably OK. But eating a lot just once can cause poisoning. Look for signs like weakness, vomiting, and breathing problems.
#5. Grapes and Raisins
There are better treats to give your dog. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog sick. Vomiting over and over is an early sign. Within a day, your dog will get sluggish and depressed.
#6. Chocolate
Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The problem in chocolate is theobromine. It’s in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous types are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Chocolate can cause a dog to vomit and have diarrhea. It can also cause heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death.
Did Any of These Foods Surprise You?
Some of these foods are well known for being toxic to dogs, but did any of them come as a shock to you? What are some other foods you’re aware of that are toxic to dogs? Like dogs, you should also avoid feeding your cat certain types of food. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
