Got a pet dog? As a loving pet parent, you definitely want the best for your furry baby. You give it everything it needs, from food to grooming sessions. You’ve got lots of bonding moments; therefore, it has grown to be really close to you – so close that you’d love to share everything with it including your food.
But, did you know that not all types of human food are okay for dogs? While it is hard resist those cute puppy-dog eyes begging for some, there are times when it is best to say no.
In this article, we will discuss about the harmful foods for dogs. Read on and remember every food item you’re going to see.
Foods that are Bad for Your Dog
No matter how tempting it is to give in to your pet’s pleas, you should never feed it with the following foods:
Chocolate
You may have already heard about chocolates being harmful to dogs. If you’re still wondering if there is truth to such claim, we are telling you that it is indeed real. Chocolates contain theobromine; it does not harm humans but is toxic to dogs. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or even death.
Take note that all types of chocolates contain theobromine especially dark chocolate and baking chocolate.
Fatty meat
For your information, consuming fatty meat like ham and bacon may result in pancreatitis in dogs. Also, most of these meats have high salt content; therefore, they can cause stomach upset. Moreover, they may cause dogs to consume too much water which can lead to bloating that can be fatal.
Garlic and onions
Garlic and onions can cause anemia in dogs as the destroy their red blood cells. While an occasional small dose does not cause any harm, regular small doses or a large dose can result in poisoning. The symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, weakness, breathlessness, and loss of appetite.
Sugary foods
Dental health problems, obesity, and diabetes – these are the issues that your dog may face should you feed it with sugary foods. Indeed, sugar is just as bad for dogs as it is for humans.
Salty foods
Did you know that there is a condition called sodium ion poisoning? This is caused by eating too much salt. Symptoms include high body temperature, diarrhea, vomiting, or seizures. It can likewise be fatal.
Meanwhile, eating too much salt can also cause excessive thirst or urination.
Caffeinated substances
Apart from chocolate, caffeine can also be toxic for dogs. As you know, it is a powerful stimulant; it can cause restlessness and increased heart rate in pets. Ingesting caffeinated substances may also lead to increased thirst, diarrhea, and vomiting. Should your pet consume caffeine, go to the vet immediately to prevent more serious issues.
Raw food
There are claims that feeding your dog with raw meat is good. After all, their relatives like wolves eat fresh meat. Also, raw meat diet for dogs has already become a trend.
But the truth raw food can lead to e. coli and salmonella or enzymes than can cause skin issues for your dog. It may also lead to food poisoning. Raw fish also contains parasites that can cause fatal illnesses. For this, it is still best to cook your dog’s food to kill off various bacteria and parasites.
Grapes and raisins
Did you know that these foods can cause renal failure in dogs? Grapes and raisins can cause dogs’ kidneys to shut down. After consuming these foods, adverse happenings might happen like lethargy, vomiting, or even death.
Avocado
First off, avocado can cause choking. But more than that, the plant contains persin in its seed, fruit, leaves, and bark. For this, you should not get your dog anywhere near an avocado plant. And needless to say, you should never feed it with the fruit.
Unripe tomato or tomato leaves and stems
Ripe tomatoes may be okay, but the unripe ones and their leafy parts are toxic to dogs. They contain solanine, which can cause gastrointestinal distress, weakness, lethargy, and confusion.
Summary
Generally speaking, dogs love to eat. That is why you often see your pooch begging for some scraps.
But as a responsible and loving pet parent, you should be in the know of what is good and bad for your four-legged baby. Do enough research and always see to it that your pet does not get near those harmful foods. It may be hard to resist its pleas; but you need to do it if you really want what’s best for your pooch.
Meanwhile, it is also best to go to trustworthy retailers like Petco Services and buy the best food items for your pet.
