Humans are lucky in that most foods we encounter in our everyday lives can be eaten without malaise. However, the very foods we consider safe to eat, or even very healthy, can be lethal when we share them with our beloved pets. Below is a list of foods which should never be considered in a dog’s diet.
Avocado
Avocados are very healthy for humans and have a range of benefits from providing essential fats, to improving skin and hair. Unfortunately, these are proven to be lethal to dogs, and other animals such as rabbits, horses, and donkeys. Avocados contain a fungicidal toxin called Persin which can give your dog digestive issues. In addition to this, if your dog is unfortunate enough to ingest the stone inside, it can become lodged inside the gastrointestinal tract, and require immediate surgery.
Milk and Dairy
We consider these foods every day as essential, but cow’s milk and other dairy products can cause skin allergies and digestive issues like diarrhea. Unlike humans, dogs don’t possess enough of the enzyme that breaks down lactose (lactase).
Chocolate
A popular consumption by humans, but chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is extremely lethal to dogs. In fact, the darker the chocolate, the greater the risk. Symptoms such as high blood pressure and dehydration can leave your dog panting, hyperactive, and prone to potential seizures or even death.
Dried fruit
Dried fruit can affect dogs in different ways, despite being unknown as to its reason. At its worst, dried fruit can cause kidney failure, or at the very least diarrhea and vomiting. Scientists agree the chemical compounds found inside them, including ingredients for a cake, can be very toxic to dogs.
Nuts
Nuts are considered the healthiest snack for humans, but the opposite for dogs. Most nuts – the worst being macadamia, contain high amounts of oils and fats which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and hyperthermia. These symptoms can last up to 48 hours.
Onions, Garlic, Chives
A common ingredient in many of our meals, these items can cause many problems for dogs and can lead to anemia and red blood cell damage. Many prepared foods from restaurants and takeaways, like curries or Chinese dishes, have sauces which contain onion or garlic powder. Dogs need to be kept away from the leftovers at all costs, as ingesting these foods can cause serious gut irritation, and have various other implications.
Bones
As much as they love them, bones can be a choking hazard for canines, leading to internal injuries that can tear your dog’s intestinal tract, in addition to damaging their teeth. Cooked bones are even more brittle, and can, therefore, a greater risk to their insides. Eating large quantities can also cause constipation.
Yeast Dough
Bread is commonly consumed by humans, and small pieces of bread are okay as a treat for dogs as the yeast has fully risen. But if a dog consumes yeast dough it can prove problematic. The process by which yeast dough rises produces gases which can accumulate inside a dog’s digestive system, causing very painful bloating, and can even twist the stomach. In extreme cases, this can lead to life-threatening consequences, often requiring emergency surgery to fix.
Xylitol
Consumed by humans as a replacement for sugar, Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products such as toothpaste, sweets, and diabetic cakes. It causes insulin release in dogs, which can lead to hypoglycemia. Unlike humans, dogs are extremely sensitive to xylitol, even when only small quantities are consumed. Early symptoms may include vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination and seizures. Even small doses can lead to more serious issues such as acute liver disease and blood clots.
Salt-based Snacks
Even though large quantities of salt have a poor impact on a human’s health, we still eat them frequently and, luckily, often with little consequence. The issues we experience from salty snack foods are nothing in comparison to their effect on dogs, examples of which include depression, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, excessive thirst, urination, and even death. Sodium ion poisoning is also common, and humans should never allow dogs to consume them – even as a treat, no matter how much they beg.