10 Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat:
• Milk and other dairy products
The digestive system of dogs does not contain lactase (the enzyme that helps break down lactose) which means introducing cow’s milk or milk based products to your dog’s diet might lead to digestive issues such as diarrhea and vomiting. Now this is not the case for many dogs. Some dogs can handle eating yogurt, cheese and butter very well without getting digestive problems.
• Cooked Bones
Avoid sharing any cooked bones from beef, pork, poultry, or fish. Cooked bone might cut your dog’s mouth or tongue, or can trap into their trachea (respiratory tract or wind pipe). Also there is a chance that some bigger bones get stuck inside esophagus. Constipation due to bone fragments is also common. Closely supervise your dog when he is working on a bone.
• Alcohol
You might think it funny to see how your dog reacts after consuming alcohol, however it is not funny for him. It can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, depression of the central nervous system, breathing issues, and tremors.
• Caffeine
Caffeine contains methylxanthines which are very harmful to animals. This chemical is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc. Ingestion of this chemical can lead to hyperactivity, panting, increased thirst, and excess urination.
• Diet sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners cause insulin release in animals which leads to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels. Signs of ingestion may include lethargy, lack of coordination, and vomiting.
• Grapes and raisins
Even though grapes and raisins are of nutritional value to human beings, they should be kept out of reach of your pets. The impact of ingestion of grapes by pets can range from lethargy, depression, kidney failure, and even loss of life.
• Avocados
They contain a substance called persin, which if given in large amounts can be fatal to dogs. If you grow avocados, keep them out of reach of your pet.
• Chocolate
Luckily most of us know that chocolate is not good for dogs. It contains a chemical called theobromine that causes distress, all types of chocolate are harmful, especially dark chocolate.
• Onions and garlic
Prolonged consumption of onion and garlic reduces the red blood cell counts in dogs which can lead to anemia. I’ve asked a vet about giving humans foods that contain Cooked onions or garlic to the dogs and according to her, limited consumption of COOKED onions or garlic is safe. But overall it’s better to avoid onion and garlic in foods for your dog.
• Yeast dough
If dough with yeast ends up in your dog’s stomach it will rise and expand causing your dog’s belly to swell and cause severe pain. The yeast ferments the dough which releases alcohol and might also cause alcohol poisoning.
10 Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat
[Last Updated on February 10th 2014]
By: Andres Carvajal
Edited By: Stephanie Dawson
