HARMFUL DOG FOODS

   

My four legged Buddy’s sense of hearing is amazing, open a bag of crispy or pop open a can of brewskie, he arrives in a flash from nowhere to claim his share.

And who can resist those big brown eyes and a cute doggie grin? Can a little reward from the table really hurt your dog? Well, that depends on what it is and what’s in it.

Many kinds of human food, even those that are good for us, are bad for your dog. Keep in mind that not all dogs are the same, the size and breed of the dog can determine how it will react to the food.

People do indulge dogs by feeding them table scraps now and then. Dogs are also experts in sniffing out smelly, tasty food lying around and quickly gulping it down before you can snatch it away

While they're still man's best friend, they probably shouldn't eat like your best friend.  

And if you care about your canine companions, here’s a list of human foods that your dog should most definitely avoid.

Apple Core:

While most people try to avoid eating the core of an apple, it's actually much more toxic to dogs. Along with a few other fruits, you should definitely be careful not to leave apple cores laying around for dogs to get their paws on.

The core of an apple (as well as plums, peaches, pears and apricots) contain cyanogenic glycosides which is also known as cyanide. Some of the symptoms that come from ingesting the toxin are dizziness, struggling to breathe, seizures, collapsing, hyperventilation, shock and even coma.

Avocado:

Avocado leaves, pits, bark and fruit contain a toxin called persin.

Avocados can have toxic effects on dogs depending on the variety. 

They can cause upset stomachs in dogs, breathing difficulties, fluid buildup in the chest, but the most dangerous thing for them seem to the be the pit. Since it's slippery, the pit can accidentally be swallowed by dogs, leading to obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.

 

Grapes and Raisins:

Dogs of any age, breed, or gender may be affected. Grapes and raisins are bad for dogs because one of the most serious complications of grape/raisin toxicity is acute (sudden) kidney failure with lack of urine production (anuria). 

However, kidney failure is not seen in all dogs after ingestion of grapes or raisins, and again, the reason why some dogs are affected excessively while others are not is still being studied. 

    

Yeast Dough:

Bread makes you fat? While having a chubby puppy isn't the worst thing in the world, yeast dough used to make bread should absolutely be kept away from dogs.

The raw yeast dough from making bread can ferment in a dog's stomach, becoming toxic.

Aside from the toxicity from alcohol being produced in the stomach, yeast dough can also expand in your dog's stomach or intestines and create a large amount of gas in the digestive system. This can lead to severe pain and a potentially ruptured stomach or intestinal tract. Vomiting, abdominal discomfort and lethargy can also occur.

Macadamia Nuts:

Depending on the amount ingested, clinical signs of severe lethargy, increased body temperature, vomiting, tremors, joint stiffness, and inability to walk (commonly hind limb) may be seen. 

The toxic mechanism is unknown but can effect nerve function (specifically, the motor neurons, neuromuscular junctions, muscle fibers or neurotransmitters).

Corn on the Cob:

 It’s one of the most common ways a dog can get a blocked intestine. The dog bites off a piece of the cob one inch long and swallows it. This is a sure way to get your dog’s intestine blocked. The corn is digested, but the cob gets lodged in the small intestine, and if it’s not removed surgically, can prove fatal to your dog. 

Additionally, too much corn kernels can upset the digestive tract as well so be cautious to not feed too much.

Milk and Dairy Products:  

While small doses aren’t going to kill your dog, you could get some smelly farts and some nasty cases of diarrhea. Why? Dogs are lactose intolerant (as are an increasing number of humans today), and don’t have enough of the lactase enzyme to properly digest dairy foods. 

If you really need to give them dairy, look into lactose-free dairy products.

Sugar: 
This applies to any food containing sugar. Make sure you check the ingredient label for human foods – corn syrup (which is a less expensive form of sugar or glucose) is found in just about everything these days. 

Too much sugar for your pup can lead to dental issues, obesity, and even diabetes.

 Alcohol: 

I’m sure you've heard of the birthday parties where the dog accidentally gets into some of the spilled keg beer, and then gets all silly to the amusement of the crowd. 

While it may be funny to you, it’s not funny to your dog. 

Alcohol can cause not only intoxication, lack of coordination, poor breathing, and abnormal blood acidity, coma but potentially even  and/or death. So, remember to keep alcoholic beverages well out of reach of your dog.

Caffeine: 

Dogs and cats appear to be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than people. While 1-2 laps of coffee, tea or soda will not contain enough caffeine to cause poisoning in most pets, the ingestion of moderate amounts of coffee grounds, tea bags or 1-2 diet pills can easily cause death in small dogs or cats. 

When ingested, clinical signs of hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, an elevated heart rate, hypertension (elevated blood pressure), abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), seizures, collapse and death may be seen.

Chocolate:

It’s one of the most common foods that is bad for dogs.

Chocolate can contain high amounts of fat and caffeine-like stimulants known as methylxanthines. If ingested in significant amounts, chocolate can potentially produce clinical effects in dogs ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in severe cases.

Typically, the darker the chocolate, the higher the potential for clinical problems from methylxanthine poisoning. White chocolate has the lowest methylxanthine content, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

 

Xylitol:

The artificial sweetener xylitol found in many foods such as ‘sugar free’ gum, diabetic cakes, diet foods etc. causes insulin release in many species leading to potentially fatal hypoglycaemia (lowered sugar levels). 

The initial symptoms include lethargy, vomiting and loss of coordination, following this recumbency (unable to stand) and seizures may occur. Xylitol has also been linked to fatal acute liver disease and blood clotting disorders in dogs. Even very small amounts can be extremely dangerous and if you think your dog has eaten any amount of xylitol then you should seek veterinary advice immediately.

Candy and Gum:

Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol can cause an increase in the insulin circulating through your dog’s body.  

That can cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure.  Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination.  Eventually, the dog may have seizures.  Liver failure can occur within just a few days.

Cheese:

Sorry boy, no Grilled Cheese Spot  for you. Your stomach will thank me for it later.

Like milk, cheese also has sugars and fatty components that dogs don't have the necessary enzymes to break down cheese, and other dairy products, can cause problems if consumed in excess. Symptoms like gas, diarrhea and vomiting can all occur if a dog eats too much cheese.

Onions:

While onions go with pretty much anything savory, they can do more than just make your dog cry.

Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which is toxic to cats and dogs. The ingestion of onions causes a condition called hemolytic anemia, which is characterized by damage to the red blood cells. Onion toxicity can cause the red blood cells circulating through your pet’s body to burst.

Symptoms of this condition include breathlessness, lethargy, diarrhea and vomiting. Your pet also could lose interest in food as a result of this type of poisoning. It may take up to two to four days after your pet eats the onion for symptoms to appear.

Garlic:

Many people consider garlic to be a holistic remedy in the prevention of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and even certain types of cancer.

These potential medicinal benefits, however, are not effective for all pets. In fact, garlic can be extremely toxic to dogs and cats and the consumption of even a small amount can lead to severe poisoning and, if not treated in time, death.

Unfortunately, dogs and cats cannot digest these particular plants as we can. 

The ingestion of Allium species in dogs and cats causes a condition called hemolytic anemia, which is characterized by the bursting of red blood cells circulating through your pet’s body. 

Ingestion can also lead to gastroenteritis, also known as an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, causing stomach pain.

Fat Trimmings and Bones:

Table scraps often contain meat fat that a human didn't eat and bones.  Both are dangerous for dogs.  Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause pancreatitis in dogs.  

And, although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, a dog can choke on it.  Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog’s digestive system.  It’s best to just forget about the doggie bag.

 

Raw Eggs:

There are two problems with giving your dog raw eggs.  The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli.  The second is that an enzyme in a raw eggs interferes with their absorption of a particular B vitamin.  

This can cause skin problems as well as problems with your dog’s coat if raw eggs are fed for a long time.

Salt:

It’s not a good idea to share salty foods like chips or pretzels with your dog.  Eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning.  Symptoms of too much salt includes vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperatures and seizures  It may even cause death.

Raw Meat and Fish:

Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that causes food poisoning In addition, certain kinds of fish such as salmon, trout, or sturgeon can contain a parasite that causes ‘fish disease’ or ‘salmon poisoning disease’ if not treated, the disease can be fatal within two weeks.  

The first signs of illness are vomiting, fever, and big lymph nodes.  Thoroughly cooking the fish will kill the parasite and protect your dog.

And...

This is not an exhaustive list, and any decision to provide your pet with food not specifically intended for animals should be discussed with your veterinarian or pet nutritionist.

And no matter how cautious you are, your dog can find and swallow what it shouldn't.

It’s a smart idea to always keep the numbers of your local vet and the closest emergency clinic. 

                   Let’s carve him a dish fit for the Gods,

                  Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.

                                                          …William Shakespeare.