Food No-No’s for Dogs: What Not to Feed Your Pet

As a pet parent we want only what is best for our beloved pets. But sometimes what we think is a great treat might not be so good for our dogs.

Most everyone knows that dogs shouldn’t have chocolate, but what else should we not ‘reward’ our dogs with?

The most common foods that a dog should not have are:

A. Onions and garlic-these foods can destroy red blood cells, leading to anemia and loss of red blood cells. Anemia is often times fatal in young dogs.

B. Xylitol-a chemical found in many diet or sugar-free foods, (sugarless gum, for instance) Xylitol leads to a dangerous drop in your dog’s blood glucose, loss of coordination, seizures and death.

C. Fruit seeds and pits (apples, cherries, peaches, pears plums, apricots)-these pieces contain cyanide. If your dog chews on-or swallows-these pits they are at risk for increased exposure.

D. Nuts-walnuts and macadamia nuts have proven to affect some dogs adversely. Peanuts, however, are a safe treat-given moderately.

E.Caffeine-stimulants like caffeine will increase your dog’s heart rate and can cause heart attacks and death. Caffeine is also found in soft drinks, energy drinks and tea.

F.Raisons and Grapes-recent studies have shown that grapes and raisons can lead to kidney failure for dogs (especially smaller breeds). Even a handful is too much. It’s best to avoid giving them these all together!

G. Avocados-any part of this fruit or plant is toxic to your dog-this includes the meat of the fruit. Guacomole is also made from avocados.

H. Tomatoes-tomatoes can cause digestive upset, lethargy, drooling, colic, difficulty breathing, coma and death. The less ripe the tomato is, the more toxic. Plants, leaves, and stems are toxic to both dogs and humans.

I. Salt-too much salt (from foods such as ham, bacon, potato chips, or even dog biscuits) can cause your pet’s kidneys to malfunction. In some larger breed dogs, too much salt intake can lead to too much water intake-resulting in a potentially dangerous condition known as bloat, in which the stomach fills with gas and could possibly rupture.

J .Potato peels and green potatoes-parts of potatoes and unripe potatoes contain a potentially harmful chemical that can affect your dog’s internal organs.

For dog owners, the well-beings over their pets is the most important thing. Well-intentioned snacks and rewards shouldn’t have tragic results-so pay attention to what you are giving your dog and remember-what is good for you, might not be good for them!