10 Foods Your Dog Can't Eat
The food humans eat are not necessarily always good for dogs. In fact, food that is safe for humans can instead be toxic or deadly for dogs. Food that humans love such as chocolate, candy, fruits, or fish are just some examples of potentially hazardous foods for dogs. Pet owners should always be aware of what their pets consume. Avoid giving your dog the following foods:
Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
A toxic substance for dogs is methylxanthines which can be found in cacao seeds and is used in making all of these products. If a dog ingests chocolate, coffee or another food that contains caffeine it can cause them to vomit, have diarrhea, pant heavily, make them extremely thirsty and urinate excessively.
Severe symptoms like seizures and possible death can occur if they have ingested around 20 - 27 mg of caffeine per pound of body weight. Meaning, less than 1 oz of milk chocolate per pound of body weight could potentially cause death.
Raw Eggs
An enzyme called avidin inside raw eggs decreases the absorption of biotin which is a B vitamin. This may lead to skin and hair coat problems in dogs.
Xylitol
Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods and some diet foods contain a sugar-free sweetener called Xylitol. Xylitol can cause an increase in insulin circulating through a dog's body, causing their blood sugar to drop and lead to liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures and liver failure can occur within just a few days.
Onions
Onions contain a toxic ingredient called thiosulphate. Pets affected by onion toxicity develop haemolytic anemia where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in their body. Poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten onions. All forms of onions can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions. Symptoms include Hemolytic Anemia, labored breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea and discolored urine.
Milk, Dairy Products
Dogs do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase which breaks down lactose in milk and dairy products. This can result in diarrhea and other digestive problems. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Grapes, Raisins, Currants
A handful of these foods can make a dog ill. The actual toxin inside these foods that makes dogs sick is unknown. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and lethargy. The mass consumption of grapes has been known to cause acute kidney failure and eventually death. However, dogs have no problems associated with grape seed extract.
Mushrooms
Mushroom toxicity can occur in dogs and can be fatal if certain species of mushrooms are eaten. Amanita phalloides is the most commonly reported toxic species of mushrooms in the US; other Amanita species are toxic as well. Symptoms include Abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting diarrhea, convulsions, coma and death.
Raw Fish, Meat, Bones
Raw fish and meat can contain bacteria, such as E. coli, that cause food poisoning. In addition, certain kinds of fish like salmon, trout, shad or sturgeon can contain a parasite that causes "fish disease." If it is not treated, the disease can be fatal within 2 weeks. The first signs of illness are vomiting, fever and large lymph nodes. Thoroughly cooking fish and meat will kill the parasite and protect your dog.
Raw bones may seem like a great idea for dogs, but for domesticated pets it can be very dangerous. A domesticated dog might choke on the bones if it splinters and then becomes lodged inside your pet's throat.
Avocados
Avocados contain persin, an oily toxin that causes dogs to vomit and have diarrhea. All parts of an avocado are toxic to animals as the persin originates in the pit but the oil spreads to the fruit and skin of the food.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts have high phosphorus content, said to possibly lead to bladder stones. Dogs can develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.
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