Maybe you are new to having dogs. Or perhaps you have a bunch of them now. We cannot be inattentive to the kinds of foods we allow them to eat. We have to learn which ones are potentially harmful to our pets and know what situations can lead our loyal companions to fatal consequences from eating them. And it’s not all about poisoning. Some seemingly ordinary food can cause problems for sensitive organs of a dog’s body or even provoke allergic reactions in their bodies.
We all love our dogs, and we want to ensure they stay safe and healthy for as long as possible. Being wary of various human food poisonous to them is most important. With that in mind, we’ve decided to compile a list of some of the most common foods that are poisonous to canines, so you can care for your dog better and keep them out of harm’s way:
Salt:The household staple that you should not feed your dog. Iodized salt and salty foods can cause stomach ailments, pancreatitis, and other excruciating illness—including death. In addition, excess salt is hazardous to your dogs in large amounts, though a single potato chip or a string of salted french fries might not cause much damage.
Alliums: Another kitchen staple would be garlic, onion, chives, and other alliums are, in fact, poisonous to dogs. According to Rachel Cavanaugh of Stacker, It takes a lot of garlic to cause toxicity. Still, some breeds, particularly Japanese ones (such as Akitas and Shiba Inus), are particularly susceptible. That said, it’s essential to be on the lookout if your dog accidentally digested some as signs of toxicity or poisoning could be delayed.
Chocolate: Probably one of the most popular and lethal poisons for dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. Pure dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are the most dangerous as they take effect fast and are fatal.
Caffeine: Somehow similar to chocolates, the stimulants present in caffeine are the poisonous culprit. “Dogs aren’t adapted to process stimulants, and consumption of too much of them can lead to seizures and death.” –dogfoodinsider.com.
Avocado: Avocado contains a toxic element called Persin which can damage the heart, lungs and other tissue in many animals, especially dogs. Again, it takes a lot for an avocado to be lethal, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that tiny portions wouldn’t do damage.
The bottom line is that you should try your best to avoid feeding your dog any types of food that haven’t explicitly been made for the needs of canines. While plenty of human nutrition is considered a safe bet, quite a few foods are more fatal than poisonous. Ensure to consult with your vet before giving any food items to your pet, but always err on caution. There’s no reason to put your dog’s health at risk! Keep the list close to your heart and live a healthy and happy life with your furry one.
