There are some foods that
should never go into your dog's mouth because of the
hazards they pose. Here's a list of dangerous foods, and their associated
problems.
Alcoholic
beverages: Besides intoxicating your
dog, alcohol can cause liver issues, neurological problems, seizures, coma
and death. It isn't funny or cute to let your dog drink a few laps of booze.
Just like you would do with a child, keep alcoholic beverages out of a dog's
"reach."
Apple seeds:
Apples themselves make a healthy treat, but the seeds contain cyanide, so
pitch the core.
Avocados:
The American Animal Hospital Association mentions avocados as being toxic,
although there is research indicating that these toxins are limited to the
leaves and pits of Guatemalan avocados.
Caffeine:
Coffee, tea and some colas can cause increased breathing, bleeding and heart
arrhythmias. In large amounts, it will kill your dog.
Chocolate:
This is also extremely dangerous, attacking the gastrointestinal and
neurological systems. Chocolate poisoning is caused by an adverse reaction
to the alkaloid theobromine. Keep the Halloween and Easter goodies away from
your dog.
Fatty foods:
Don't turn your dog into a junk-food junkie! If it isn't good for you, why
would you give it to your best friend? Large amounts of fatty foods can
cause pancreatitis.
Fruit pits and
pear pips: Like apple seeds, these also
contain cyanide.
Garlic:
In large amounts, garlic can make a dog anemic.
Grapes and
raisins: These can cause organ failure.
Dogs have been known to choke on grapes.
Hops:
Like to brew your own beer? Keep your dog away from the hops. A dog with hop
poisoning may pant heavily, experience seizures and die.
Macadamia nuts:
Symptoms from eating macadamia nuts include severe abdominal pain and
neurological issues.
Moldy foods:
Certainly you wouldn't give these to a dog on purpose, but a crafty canine
will discover a way into your trash. We found this out the hard way when one
of our Mastiffs got into a trash bag that my husband forgot to take to the
outdoor trash can. Cleaning up after a 170-pound vomiting dog in the middle
of the night is not something I'd like to do again!
Mustard seeds:
Gastroenteritis is usually the result for a dog who eats a large amount of
these.
Nutmeg:
This spice is not so nice for a dog. Ingestion can lead to tremors, seizures
and death.
Onions and onion
powder: Like garlic, onions can cause
anemia in dogs.
Potato and tomato
leaves and stems: Your dog may get
serious stomach issues from eating the green parts of potatoes and tomatoes.
Rhubarb leaves:
These are particularly dangerous, causing organ failure.
Salt:
Excessive salt intake leads to salt toxicity, which in dogs leads to
swelling and fluid retention in the brain. The dog may experience seizures,
coma and death. If you make homemade playdough for your kids, keep the dog
away, as most recipes call for a lot of salt.
Xylitol:
Ingesting this artificial sweetener will trigger a spike in insulin, leading
to a dramatic drop in blood sugar, which will throw your dog into shock and
liver failure. Watch out for candy containing this product.
Yeast dough:
If your dog eats raw dough, it will expand in your dog's stomach just like
it would in an oven. Also, the fermentation of the yeast is toxic to the
animal.
An "excessive amount" to a Chihuahua will be different than that of a Great
Dane. But if you can keep these foods away from your dog, then you don't
have to worry about how much is too much.
Now we get to subject of bones. Never give your dog cooked bones. They can
easily splinter and get stuck in the dog's throat or digestive tract,
requiring life-saving (and expensive) surgery. Raw, large joint bones are a
much better alternative. The bones must be big enough that the dog can chew
on them without swallowing them whole. Just remember to never leave a dog
alone with one in case a big piece does chip off, and always inspect bones
carefully for loose pieces. Also throw away any raw bones that have been
sitting out past two days, as they can attract bacteria.
If you think your dog has eaten something poisonous or has swallowed a large
piece of bone, take your buddy to the vet at the first sign of distress. And
if you are in doubt over whether something you're eating is safe to share
with your dog, it's better to just keep it to yourself. That way, you'll
know your friend will be around to beg another day.