Food should never be left within reach of your dog, whether that means leftover scraps or pre-prepared meals. Certain substances, like xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in gum and candy), onion powder, chocolate, raw bread dough or even spoiled food, can pose significant health concerns for dogs.
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Fatty Cuts of Meat
Food that people typically enjoy at home may be poisonous to dogs. They could ingest anything from raw pie dough to steak from the dinner table and suffer serious effects ranging from stomach upset to pancreatitis.
Fatty cuts of meat such as bacon, ham or pork chops contain high levels of fat that can contribute to diarrhea, vomiting and pancreatitis in dogs. Processed meats such as deli meats, sausage and hot dogs should also be avoided due to their additives, salt levels and potential choking hazards.
Fruits such as pears, apples and pineapples are generally safe for most dogs; just make sure that seeds, rinds and pits are removed prior to giving. Spinach may contain oxalic acid which could harm their kidneys; fresh berries can boost immune systems but avoid frequent feeding as they contain too much sugar.
Turkey Bones
Dog owners commonly feed their pups bones to help improve the health of their teeth, but turkey bones should always be avoided as these splinter into harmful pieces that can puncture intestines and cause sores in your pup’s mouth.
Cooked poultry bones contain bacteria that may lead to foodborne illness in dogs. To make sure the safety of our furry companions, remove any skin as this often contains heavy seasoning such as garlic and onion that can be harmful in large doses.
Giblets, including organ meats like the heart, liver and gizzards from a turkey, make for an excellent treat for your pup because of their nutritional content. Just avoid giving him/her neck bones as these pose a choking hazard that could break into sharp pieces that could cut his throat or choke him/her out!
Grapes
Grapes (both whole and peeled), raisins, currants and grape juice can be deadly to dogs even in small quantities, leading to weakness, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. If your pup consumes any amount of grapes or raisins in any form – be it whole grapes or raisins in any form – seek emergency medical care immediately and consider inducing vomiting as soon as possible; vets may try inducing vomiting (particularly for breeds like bulldogs or pugs with flat noses that could potentially aspirate).
Grapes and raisins contain unknown toxins; tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate (cream of tartar) could be responsible. Individual dogs’ responses vary, as some can tolerate even small doses without suffering side effects, while others become poisoned after only eating several grapes.
Protect grapes, raisins, and other fruits from your dog by placing them high up in cabinets. In addition, store this food alongside items which could harm their health such as macadamia nuts, onions, chocolate or alcohol that could potentially harm him/her.
Onions
Whenever your dog consumes onions (or any member of the Allium family, such as garlic, scallions, leeks and chives) they can quickly become sick with hemolytic anemia – an illness in which their immune system misidentifies and destroys healthy red blood cells – leading them to difficulty transporting oxygen throughout their body, leading to diarrhoea, vomiting and weakness as a result.
Onions can be deadly to dogs in all their forms – cooked onions, onion juice and powders, as well as pre-made onion broth are all toxic to your pup. If they ingest onions and experience any of the following symptoms, take them immediately to a veterinarian who may induce vomiting and provide treatment solutions that prevent further damage to their body; additionally they’ll monitor their blood work to make sure their vital organs don’t start failing too rapidly and suggest an individualized treatment plan tailored specifically for them.
