Common foods and food additives may pose a health risk to dogs, and their irresistibly irresistible puppy dog eyes should not tempt them into indulging too heavily in human food.
Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free candy and gum, can cause an unexpected decrease in blood sugar in dogs. Coffee beans contain caffeine which acts as a stimulant that may lead to heart problems and other serious symptoms in pets.
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Onions
As onions contain disulfides and sulfoxides that damage red blood cells and cause anemia, feeding raw, cooked or powdered onions is never advised to pets. Garlic and chives should also not be fed to canines.
Macadamia nuts can be toxic for dogs because they contain a toxin that causes muscle shakes, vomiting and high body temperatures. Pear seeds and pits should be removed as they contain cyanide; all medications – even over-the-counter pain relievers and cold medicines – must also remain out of their reach to keep your pup safe.
Garlic
Garlic often gets a bad rep due to one study which demonstrated signs of toxicity in dogs, but like all things, moderation is key.
Garlic can cause irreparable oxidative damage to your dog’s red blood cells and lead to hemolytic anemia, with symptoms including loss of appetite, drooling and rapid heart or respiratory rate.
Any food from the Allium family, such as onions, leeks, chives or rakkyo can contain thiosulfates which bind with your dog’s hemoglobin protein and cause it to clump together reducing oxygen delivery to their tissues and leading to decreased respiration rates and potentially leading to death if treated too late.
Grapes
Grapes and raisins (and their dried forms) can cause kidney failure in dogs. Even small quantities can make your pup quite sick with vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
What exactly makes grapes toxic for dogs is unknown, although tartaric acid has been identified as one possible culprit. This chemical is present in various fruits and vegetables.
Cherry, peach and plum pits contain cyanide that kills cells by interfering with their ability to use oxygen efficiently. Consumption may lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs and chest area and ultimately death due to lack of oxygen supply.
Raisins
Although human food may be toxic for dogs, there are plenty of nutritious treats that will improve his or her diet. Scrambled eggs provide protein and riboflavin; green beans offer extra calcium and vitamin K; while boiled rice provides essential carbohydrates that boost energy.
However, you should avoid giving your pup any food containing fatty meats or chocolate that could lead to stomach issues and pancreatitis. Also avoid giving foods containing artificial sweeteners (xylitol can be found in gum) or yeast dough that contain these toxic components as these could prove lethal for dogs.
Eggs
Feeding eggs to your dog in moderation can be safe. Packed full of protein, vitamins, and minerals, eggs contain numerous health benefits for dogs such as muscle development, healthy skin/coat care benefits and strengthening teeth/bones.
Never give raw egg whites to your dog as these contain avidin, an enzyme inhibitor which may lead to biotin deficiency – crucial for metabolism and cellular growth. Furthermore, the pointed shell pieces may irritate his throat or esophagus and even result in him experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.
Green Beans
Green beans provide many dogs with a nutritious, low-cal snack or supplement, providing essential vitamins such as manganese, vitamin K, folate and calcium.
However, when fed too frequently they can create an imbalanced diet in dogs. Therefore, it is essential that dogs learn table manners so that they do not beg for food from visitors and become overweight or suffer digestive issues as a result. Canned green beans also contain too much salt!
Bread
Your kitchen is filled with tantalizing aromas that draw your pet over to join you at the table, inviting her with huge eyes begging you to give just one bite.
Bread contains gluten and yeast, both of which can lead to gas, bloating, and twisting of the stomach in dogs. Furthermore, bread’s high caloric intake may make them obese while its high fat content increases pancreatitis risk significantly. Finally, artificial sweetener xylitol may also be toxic.
Yogurt
Dogs love snacking on table scraps, but some foods can be harmful or unhealthy for them. Macadamia nuts contain persin; avocados contain high levels of fat; chocolate contains methylxanthines which may lead to diarrhea, vomiting, seizures or irregular heartbeats if consumed by dogs.
Avoid giving your pup any rhubarb as it contains soluble oxalate crystals that can be harmful. Also, artificial sweeteners like xylitol – commonly found in sugar-free products like gum and candy – should also be kept out of reach as it could lead to liver failure in animals.
