Sharing food with your dog may seem like a fun way to bond, but it can also be very dangerous. Some foods we consume can cause serious health problems for dogs and others can even be fatal. If you want to feed your dog human food, learn which foods you need to avoid to ensure their health. Always avoid chocolate, fruit seeds and pits, alcohol, products that contain caffeine, grapes and onions.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Avoid Dangerous Foods
Step 1. Avoid giving your dog alcohol
You should never do this. Foods and drinks that contain alcohol can cause problems for your four-legged friend. These include beer, spirits, and wine.
Alcohol can cause digestive problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea, breathing and motor problems, tremors and coma. Plus, it can even be fatal to dogs
Step 2. Keep your dog away from caffeine
This substance and the products that contain it can cause problems for your pet. Caffeine is present in coffee, tea, chocolate and some sodas. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, shortness of breath, excessive urination and thirst, hyperactivity, seizures and tremors. It can even be fatal.
Dark chocolate is the most dangerous. White chocolate, on the other hand, is the one containing the lowest amounts of caffeine and theobromine
Step 3. Avoid giving your dog dairy products
Milk products can cause problems for your pet. These include milk, cheese and yogurt. Dogs are lactose intolerant, so they are unable to digest milk. This leads to digestive problems, such as diarrhea, gas production and bloating.
Step 4. Avoid giving your dog macadamia nuts
This type of dried fruit can cause almost immediate problems for your pet. Within 12 hours, the dog may present with symptoms of weakness and depression, start vomiting, shake and suffer from hypothermia. Also, you should avoid feeding your dog any kind of dried fruit, due to the high content of oils and fats.
These symptoms can last for up to two days
Step 5. Avoid foods that contain xylitol
This substance has been shown to be dangerous for dogs. Since it is a sugar substitute, it does not have a negative effect on human blood sugar levels. However, in dogs it can trigger a dangerous increase in insulin production by the pancreas.
Xylitol is found in sugar-free candies, chewing gum, sweets, medicines and toothpastes
Method 2 of 4: Check Your Dog's Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Step 1. Avoid feeding your dog raisins and fresh grapes
This fruit is very harmful to your pet. In fact, in grapes there are substances that are toxic to dogs, even if experts have not yet been able to isolate them. Avoid feeding it to your dog, which will otherwise risk kidney failure.
Step 2. Avoid fruit seeds and pits
Dogs can almost always eat fruit pulp, while seeds and kernels are toxic to them. Apple seeds and peach kernels contain chemicals that release cyanide within the body when digested. Pear seeds contain small amounts of arsenic. Also watch out for persimmon seeds and plum kernels.
- In general, problems arise only after ingesting large quantities of seeds.
- To minimize the risks to your dog, make sure you remove the core of the fruit so he won't eat the seeds by accident.
Step 3. Avoid feeding your dog onions and chives
These vegetables can be extremely dangerous for your pet. This advice applies to all types of onions, whether they are dried, cooked, raw or powdered. They can be bad for your dog even when they are present in other foods.
Onions are toxic and can cause anemia or damage to your dog's red blood cells
Step 4. Avoid avocado
You may think this fruit is healthy and delicious, but you should never give it to your dog. In fact, it contains a substance called persin, which causes allergic reactions in dogs and leads to unpleasant side effects.
This advice also applies to avocado-based products, such as guacamole
Step 5. Make sure your dog doesn't chew the corn on the cob
If he eats one, he could suffer serious health problems. In fact, the cob would end up in the small intestine of the animal and would remain blocked. It should be removed, and if not, the dog could die.
Dogs are able to digest corn, but if they eat too much of it, they can suffer from digestive disorders
Method 3 of 4: Beware of Meat Products
Step 1. Avoid feeding raw fish to your dog
This food can lead to a vitamin B deficiency, which can lead to other problems as a result. Raw salmon and raw trout are dangerous for dogs, as they can contain potentially fatal parasites and bacteria.
Cooked fish is safe for dogs
Step 2. Avoid giving your dog raw meat
Raw meat can contain dangerous bacteria, such as Salmonella or E. Coli. These bacteria can cause digestive problems, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Feed your dog exclusively cooked meat.
- This advice also applies to raw eggs, which can lead to vitamin deficiencies and cause dangerous symptoms for your dog.
- If you're not sure which type of meat is best for your dog, talk to your vet.
Step 3. Be careful when giving bones to the dog
Bones can be dangerous for your pet. In fact, they soften during cooking, so they can easily break in the mouth as they are chewed. As a result, they can cause mouth injuries or even choke the animal. Small chicken bones and fish bones can also shatter and pose a choking hazard.
Larger bones are suitable for dogs if they have not been cooked. If in doubt, consult your vet
Method 4 of 4: Eliminate Bad Habits
Step 1. Keep your dog away from stale food
Spoiled or moldy food can cause problems for your pet. He may get sick from the bacteria and experience many different symptoms. Make sure you throw away the food properly so your dog won't be able to browse the garbage.
Step 2. Stop giving leftovers to the dog
Many people have this habit, especially after your four-legged friend has been watching you eat with his sad puppy eyes all the time. While you won't feel bad about what you ate, your dog might. Always avoid giving him leftovers.
Dogs are sensitive to common foods, such as onion, capsaicin found in spicy foods, fats, dairy products, sugars and nuts. By eating the leftovers, they could ingest one of those substances
Step 3. Buy foods that do not contain artificial preservatives
Many dog food manufacturers use artificial preservatives to extend the expiration date of their products. These chemical preservatives can be toxic to dogs. When shopping for food for your pet, avoid the following ingredients:
- Butylhydroxinanisole (BHA);
- Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT);
- Propylene glycol;
- Ethoxyquin;
- TBHQ;
- Propyl gallate.
Advice
- If your dog has eaten any of the foods described and is showing symptoms, take him to the vet right away.
- Don't be charmed by her sweet eyes! Your dog doesn't know which foods are dangerous for him.
