Some “human” foods are safe for dogs to eat, but others aren’t. Knowing the difference is critical to your dog’s health. Regardless of whether or not your pup is begging for what you are eating make sure none of these foods are being ingested. I can tell you from experience that a dog eating an entire chicken carcass is an expensive vet bill! Since having our Standard Poodle, Jackson I’ve learned so much about dog care and proper nutrition. Suspect allergies? Check out how Seasonal Allergies can also affect your pet.
Foods Dogs Should Not Eat
Xylitol. Xylitol is an ingredient found in numerous sweet treats. Store bought baked goods, gum, and candies are all a no-go for your precious pup. Dogs often have a hard time digesting this ingredient, especially in large doses. Not to mention that any small candies or gum are also a potential choking hazard. Xylitol is toxic for dogs. Avoid it, even in small doses.
Raw Meats and Poultry. Lots of pet owners like to put their dogs on a “raw diet”. However, raw eggs or undercooked meats (even in small portions) can cause your dog lots of digestive pain.
Citrus fruits. The high amounts of citric acid in fruits like oranges and lemons can possibly cause harm to your dog’s central nervous system. In the long run, this causes many problems with your dog’s most basic functions, and it’s not worth the risk.
Milk and dairy products. Cheese, milk, and other dairy products cause lots of digestive problems for your dog. Not only is it painful for them to digest, it can also cause vomiting. While not all dogs are lactose intolerant, many are. If you insist on feeding your dog milk and dairy products, choose the low fat versions and only feed in small amounts.
Bacon and other fat trimmings. But… bacon!?! Yes, save the yummy fats for yourself or pitch them. Feeding your dog excessive fatty foods is no healthier for them than it is for you. Having lots of fats in their digestive system stunts the absorption of other much needed nutrients that keep your dog happy and healthy.
Grapes and Raisins. As of now, no one really what causes grapes to be so toxic to canines, and some dogs don’t seem to be affected by it at all. However, it’s simply best not to take the risk. Feeding dogs grapes can wear down their kidneys, and causes dehydration which in some cases can lead to death.
Caffeine, Alcohol, Medications. These should be self explanatory but giving your dog intoxicants is a horrible and inhumane idea. Keep them locked up so they cannot be ingested.
Onion, Garlic, Mushrooms. While we love having these ingredients in so many of our dishes, they are not healthy for the canine family members.
Bones from cooked meat. Yes, bones are the number one treat to give to your beloved pet, but if you have cooked them in the oven, on the grill, or in the crockpot, it’s wiser to just throw them out. Cooking bone-in meat causes the bone to soften, which makes it more likely to splinter. Beyond choking your dog, splinters could possibly puncture a vital organ and they make the digestive process unnecessarily painful.
Store human food away from your dog and get a locking garbage pail will help keep those tempting foods (and smells) from your furry friend. If you suspect they have ingested something harmful contact your emergency vet immediately.
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