It’s important to feed your dog well-balanced meals to ensure he or she is getting all the nutrients they need. But, there are some foods dogs should avoid altogether. We’ve compiled a list of different foods you should never try to sneak past your dog. From avocado pits and chocolate, to onions and grapes, learn what not to feed your pup in this handy blog post.
Foods Dogs Should Avoid
Dogs are living creatures, and as such, they need to eat. Some dogs are picky eaters and don’t like many types of food, while others will eat almost anything put in front of them. Regardless of what kind of dog you have, there are some foods that should be avoided altogether because they can be harmful or fatal to your canine companion.
The Seed from Avocados
Avocados are high in fat and calories, which means they’re not ideal for your dog in high quantities. The pits also contain persin, which is toxic, and possibly even deadly to our dogs. Plus, the pit could cause choking or gastrointestinal obstruction.
Chocolate Contains Theobromine
Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Dogs that consume chocolate can experience vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), tremors and seizures. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for your pet—that’s why we don’t suggest you leave any Kit Kats lying around where your dog can get them!
If you suspect that your canine companion has consumed a significant amount of chocolate or another potentially poisonous food item, contact a veterinarian immediately for assistance in determining what action should be taken next.
Onions for Dogs are a No-No
Onions are one of the items on our list of 10 foods you should never feed your dog. Onions can cause dogs digestive problems, like vomiting and diarrhea. They’re also known to cause gastrointestinal damage in dogs.
Grapes or Raisins
Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. They can cause kidney failure, so it’s important to keep your dog away from them. How much is too much? A small amount of grapes or raisins is okay, but if your dog eats a large quantity of these fruits, they may be poisoned by their toxicity. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or other signs of illness in the days following ingestion—especially if you notice that your dog ate an entire bag of grapes or raisins!
If you think your pet has eaten any grapes or raisins (or if you have any questions about feeding them to your pup), speak with your veterinarian immediately for guidance on treatment options.
A Warning About Macadamia Nuts for Dogs
Macadamia nuts are a popular snack food for humans, but they can actually be toxic to dogs. If your dog has consumed macadamia nuts, you’ll want to seek veterinary care right away.
Macadamia nut toxicity occurs when a dog eats enough of the nut to cause symptoms of poisoning. Dogs who have eaten macadamia nuts will likely have severe diarrhea and vomiting, as well as weakness in their hind legs due to muscle damage. Some dogs may even develop kidney failure following ingestion of large amounts of these nuts.
If you think your dog has consumed macadamia nuts, call your veterinarian immediately or take him or her into the emergency room right away (if it’s an after-hours emergency). Your vet will likely give your pet activated charcoal before starting treatment with intravenous fluids and medications like anti-nausea drugs or antibiotics if necessary—all aimed at making sure that no more poison gets absorbed into his bloodstream from his stomach contents!
Don’t Offer Alcohol or caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine are common items that people try to give their pup, but it’s important to know that these items can affect a dog’s heart rate and blood pressure. Alcohol affects the heart rate by increasing it, which can be dangerous for a pup because their blood vessels are much smaller than ours. Caffeine does the same thing, but at a lesser degree. It could lead to panic attacks in your pup, which can be seen as a seizure.
If you want to give your dog a treat with caffeine or alcohol in it, make sure you cut back on their regular serving of either one first to avoid any adverse side effects.
Apples are Okay, But No Apple Seeds
Apple seeds contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs. The cyanide content in apple seeds is not enough to cause severe symptoms or death, but it can still cause vomiting and diarrhea. In large quantities, apple seeds can even cause heart attacks. If you have a dog that eats apples, keep an eye on them for any signs of poisoning after they eat the core or fruit peels.
Watch What Your Dog is Eating
Remember, it’s the responsibility of pet owners to make sure they know what their animals are eating. If you have any questions about whether or not a food is safe for your dog, don’t hesitate to contact your vet. In addition to being dangerous, some of these items can cause serious health issues—even death.
Read more:
10 Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat | Shallowford Animal Hospital