It’s hard to resist those puppy dog eyes when your dog is begging you for a bite of your meal. While it’s up to you to choose whether or not your dog gets to eat human food, not everything you put on your plate is good for your pup. In fact, some types of human food are dangerous to your pooch. Here are seven kinds of food you should never feed your dog.
Chocolate, coffee and anything with caffeine You may already know that you shouldn’t give your dog chocolate, but the same goes for anything caffeinated, including coffee. This is because all caffeinated items contain alkaloids called methylxanthines, which can seriously compromise your dog’s health.
Xylitol This sweetener is found in many sugar-free candies and gum as well as many types of nut butter. While it’s a good alternative for humans, in dogs it can cause insulin release, possibly leading to liver failure, seizures and brain damage.
Grapes and raisins The exact substance in grapes that’s dangerous to pets isn’t known. However, it’s been well established that ingesting any amount of the fruit in its fresh or dried form is highly dangerous to dogs as it can cause kidney failure.
Nuts Swallowing any type of nut can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even pancreatitis in dogs due to the high fat and oil content. Macadamia nuts are the most dangerous and consuming even small amounts can cause weakness, depression and tremors in your pooch
Onions, garlic and chives Although small amounts may be tolerated by dogs, these vegetables can cause gastrointestinal irritation and even lead to red blood cell damage
Salty foods Salt-heavy snacks like chips and pretzels can lead to excessive thirst, urination and sodium ion poisoning in dogs.
Cooked bones Cooking makes bones brittle and more likely to splinter when chewed. Splintered bones can cause mouth injuries or perforations in the intestinal tract.
What to do if your dog eats any of these foods If you have any reason to believe that your dog has eaten one of these foods, note how much it’s ingested and call the veterinarian right away. Additionally, if your pet is vomiting, lethargic, exhibiting strange behaviour or has diarrhea, it may have eaten something without your knowledge. It’s always best to get consult a professional to be sure. Need an emergency vet in the GTA? If your pet needs emergency veterinary care, turn to Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital. We offer regular and emergency vet services all over the GTA including Scarborough, Richmond Hill and Ajax. Call us today to make an appointment.