Many dogs will gobble up any scrap of food given half a chance. At dinner time, you have seen those adorable puppy dog eyes pleading with you to share your meal.
But, as hard as it is to say no to your cute pooch, it is important because food that isn’t meant for dogs can be bad for their health or even fatal. Short-term and long-term effects can hit your pet dog and the veterinarian bills can be huge.
Here are the main foods that are toxic to your dog. Never feed the following food to your pet and make sure can’t access the garbage.
If you think your dog has ingested anything toxic, contact your local veterinarian immediately.
Alcohol
Thirsty dogs will drink anything, including toilet water and dirty swamp water, so your cocktail would be slurped away in no time. Be careful your dog doesn’t take a drink while you are flipping the BBQ steaks or looking the other way. It could quickly become sick or die.
Avocados
Avocados contain persin, which can cause a stomachache.
Chocolate and caffeine
Chocolate and caffeine contain methylxanthine and can cause seizures and heart attacks in dogs.
Garlic
Organosulfur compounds found in raw and cooked garlic can quickly be turned into highly reactive oxidants if eaten by your pet.
Grapes and raisins
Dogs will eat these juicy treats and can get extremely sick. Vets aren’t sure why but say it’s common when the fruit is in season.
Macadamia nuts
It can take 12 to 48 hours for your dog to display symptoms after eating Macadamia nuts. A wide range of symptoms, including paralysis, might indicate your dog has indulged in these nuts.
Onions
Onions are one of the most dangerous foods for dogs. Even though they need to eat a lot to get sick, we know many dogs will overeat.
Raw eggs
Cooked eggs can stay on the menu, but raw eggs contain a dangerous substance for dogs called avidin. The enzyme prevents dogs from absorbing biotin, which is essential for healthy skin and coat.
Raw meat
Unless you have formulated a raw food diet for your dog in consultation with your vet, don’t risk giving your pet raw meat. Salmonella or E. Coli can be present in raw meat, leading to stomach upsets, diarrhea, and vomiting. This can soon escalate to dehydration and more serious illness.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is another food that is healthy for humans but fatal for dogs. All rhubarb parts, including the roots and leaves, contain oxalic acid, which is extremely dangerous for your dog.
Xylitol
This artificial sweetener can cause your pooch’s liver to fail. It is found in many foods, including ice cream, candy, and baking. Chewing gum also contains Xylitol, plus the gum can block your dog’s stomach or intestines.
To keep your dog extra safe and lessen the chance it will eat something dangerous, here are some more precautions to take. Educate family members about what your pet can’t eat, especially children who would naturally share their food with their beloved pet. Ensure trash is out of reach for your dog. Train your dog to leave food alone if instructed and always remove dropped scraps from the floor to take away temptation.
There is no way to 100 % prevent your dog from taking a nibble of a banned food. Here are some signs that might indicate your dog has eaten forbidden fruit or other food.
- stomach pain
- high heart rate
- diarrhea or constipation
- weakness and fatigue
- distended abdomen
- vomiting
- fever
- refusing food
Please note this list doesn’t include all foods that can harm your dog. Besides food, you have plants such as Poison Ivy and many other types that might be in your garden at home or in the park where you go for exercise. Remember the symptoms and get your dog straight to the vet if you have concerns.