Which Foods in Your Home Could Be Harmful To Your Dog?

We’ve all done it. You are sitting on the couch watching TV and snacking on some popcorn and your dog stands there looking at you with sad eyes. So you throw a piece up in the air and he leaps up to catch it. Happily, he crunches the popcorn loudly then sits and tilts his head and you give him another. Or, you are about to sit down with a piece of pizza and the doorbell rings, more likely you go see why your kids are yelling in the other room, only to come back three minutes later to an empty plate and a dog that sits licking his lips.

Many people feel there is no harm in feeding dogs the food we eat. Unfortunately, dogs and other domestic animals do not have the same digestive system as humans. They are not able to process fatty foods nor can they tolerate large amounts of dairy and animal proteins a typical American diet consists of. It is also known that many human foods can be toxic, trigger allergies or make your pet very sick, which could warrant an expensive trip to the emergency vet.

We all love our furry family members and wish to keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible. Try and refrain from allowing your dog to consume these harmful and potentially fatal foods.

Chocolate

The most well-known dangerous food to dogs is chocolate. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain theobromine, which can be toxic to dogs. Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme thirst. More serious symptoms are seizures, abnormal heart rhythms and can even be fatal. Some chocolate also contains methylxanthines, which is a stimulant that stops a dog’s metabolic process. Take extra caution and keep the chocolate up and away from your dog’s reach.

Salt

Allowing your dog to consume too much salt can produce excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, elevated body temperature, seizures and bloat, which can be fatal. Salt heavy snacks such as popcorn, chips and pretzels such be avoided.

Raw Meat and Eggs

New research from Europe shows the surprising degree to which germs and parasites can be found in commercial raw-meat products — posing potential health risks to both pets and their parents. Raw meat and raw eggs could contain harmful bacteria such as E.coli and salmonella. This is harmful to both humans and dogs and advised to avoid. Raw egg whites could cause a Biotin deficiency!

People argue that wild animals eat raw meat all the time, but this is by far not the healthiest diet for your domesticated companion animal.

Macadamia Nuts

These delicious nuts could make your dog extremely ill. You might see your buddy become weak, lethargic, depressed, and possibly lose control of body movements. While, it is not completely certain what macadamia nuts contain that makes dogs sick, it is most likely your pet will make a full recovery and is not fatal should he accidentally eat one.

Grapes and Raisins

It is a natural thing to want to give your dog a balanced diet as you would your child and maybe give him some fruit every once in a while. Grapes and raisins should not be one of them. They have been known to cause acute kidney failure in dogs. The toxic agent is unknown but within 24 hours symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea can start. Raisins are more concentrated so it will take fewer of them to cause problems than a grape would but it is best to stay away from these at all costs.

Caffeine

Drinks such as tea, coffee and energy drinks can be extremely harmful to your dog. Foods such as candy, chocolate, coffee beans, weight loss and dietary supplements are common household items that contain caffeine. Theobromine, which is in chocolate, is a cousin chemical to caffeine. Dogs are more sensitive to caffeine than humans and moderate amounts of coffee beans or 1-2 diet pills could easily cause death in small dogs. Symptoms include hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, elevated heart rate, seizure, collapse and death.

Alcohol

This one is never okay to give to an animal. If your dog sneaks in a lap of your beer he will probably he ok. But, alcohol in moderate amounts could cause death in smaller dogs. Alcohol and food containing alcohol could cause central nervous system depression, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, coma and death. No matter how “cool” you think it is that your dog will drink beer, don’t let it happen. It’s really not cool, and your dog is not meant to ingest alcohol.

Dairy

Dog’s do not have enough lactase (enzymes that break down lactose in milk) so they will experience symptoms as lactose intolerant person would. Dairy based foods will cause them diarrhea and digestive upset.

Yeast Dough

The yeast can potentially cause gas and discomfort. Gas could lead to bloat and bloat could possibly lead to the stomach twisting. A twisted stomach is a life threatening emergency and should be taken very seriously. The other possible problem with yeast dough is the by-product it produces (ethanol) which is an alcohol.

Other potential dangers to look out for are onions and garlic, avocado, xylitol (a sweetener found in toothpaste and candy).

It is a taxing process being a good a dog parent sometimes. Their health and comfort seems to be our number one concern. They become a part of the family, dog’s become a best friend to us and our children. There are so many dangers in the world to not only our companion animals but to humans as well and sometimes mistakes happen and they get into things they are not meant to have. You never know when an accident is going to happen so the best thing you can do is to have emergency numbers in a place you can easily access it like your fridge. Keep your vet’s number and your local 24 hour emergency clinic number on hand for emergencies.

If ever you’re unsure call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426- 4435.

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