Dogs have a tendency to copy their human parents in everything they do. Wanting to eat the food their hooman companions are eating is one such thing. It is hard for pet parents to resist those puppy eyes. But, not everything you eat is safe for your pooch. There are a variety of food items that are toxic for your furry friend and can make them sick when consumed. Because dogs do not know what is not good for them, it is your duty as a responsible pet parent to not give in to their cute demands.

In this blog, we will list out the ten most common food items that are harmful to dogs and that you should never feed them:

1. Chocolate & coffee/tea

Tempting for both humans and dogs, chocolate may lift up your mood but is definitely a big no-no for your pooch. Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that dogs find hard to metabolise. The darker the chocolate, the higher the amount of theobromine, and the more severe the consequences for canines. Similarly, beverages like coffee and tea contain methylxanthines that can be toxic for dogs. Consumption of chocolate, coffee or tea can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, and seizures in dogs.

2. Sweet food & Alcohol

Food items like gum, candy, baked goods, and sugar-processed drinks contain a sweetener called xylitol. Toxic for canines, xylitol can lead to rapid drop in blood sugar levels, resulting in weakness and seizures. Xylitol can also cause liver failure in some dogs.
Alcohol has a similar effect on both humans and dogs. But since dogs are smaller in size, the effect gets amplified. The harmful effects of alcohol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, breathing problems, coma, and in severe cases, death.

3. Salt

Feeding your dog people food like potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, or other snacks that are high in salt is not a good idea. Too much salt can cause sodium ion poisoning in your pooch and can lead to health issues like excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, and seizures. High salt intake can also result in death in the worst scenarios.

4. Milk & dairy products

A surprise for Indian pet parents who frequently feed milk to their fur babies, milk and dairy products are difficult to digest for dogs. Canines lack the enzyme lactase which breaks down lactose present in milk and provides required nutrients to the body. Feeding on milk and various dairy products may cause upset in the digestive system or diarrhoea in pooches.

5. Fruits

Though veggies and fruits help add variety to your furry friend’s routine diet, not all fruits are dog-friendly. Here are some of the fruits you should avoid feeding to your dog:

a. Avocado:

It contains a strain of fatty acid called persin which can act as a poison for dogs. It can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Persin may also lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs and chest, resulting in difficulty breathing and ultimately death due to oxygen deprivation.

b. Plums:

Plum seeds and pits contain cyanide which is equally toxic for both dogs and humans. Its consumption can lead to vomiting, irregular heartbeats, coma, and death in dogs.

c. Grapes:

The substance in grapes that is toxic to dogs is not known. But, eating grapes can lead to kidney failure in canines.

6. Raw yeast dough

Raw yeast dough, when eaten by dogs, ferments and leads to stretching of the abdomen and causes a lot of pain. Additionally, yeast produces alcohol while fermenting the dough which can result in alcohol poisoning in your fur friend.

7. Nuts

Various nuts including almonds, pistachios, and walnuts can be choking hazards for dogs. Additionally, macadamia nuts can cause more harm to canines. It is still unknown what exactly causes poisoning in dogs due to eating macadamia nuts. But, even the consumption of merely six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can lead to severe stomach upsets, vomiting, hyperthermia, and tremors.

8. Raw eggs & raw meat

Raw eggs and raw meat may carry bacteria like salmonella or E.coli which can lead to food poisoning in dogs. Besides, the uncooked bones in the meat can splinter and can choke your furry buddy.

9. Mushrooms

Though tempting to give as treats to dogs, mushrooms are a bad choice. Mushrooms contain various toxins that can cause serious health issues in dogs like vomiting, diarrhoea, hallucination, damage to red blood cells, and kidney & liver failure.

10. Onion & Garlic

Found commonly in many types of prepared human foods, onion and garlic can lead to gastrointestinal irritation in dogs. This is one more reason for keeping table scraps away from your furry friend. Consumption of onion and garlic damages red blood cells of canines and can result in anaemia.

To conclude

Feeding your dog food that is healthy and safe for them is a prerequisite to providing them with a happy and healthy life. But, an equally important point is to keep away food that is toxic for your pooch. By avoiding feeding the types of foods mentioned in this article, you can save your furry family member from the troubles of food poisoning. If you need more help, you can always have a word with our veterinarian who can guide you regarding the best food options for your beloved furry companion.