Common Human Foods Dogs Should Avoid

Food is an enjoyable experience for both humans and dogs. Although our beloved pets may relish the occasional treat from our meals, it's important to recognize that numerous human foods can pose serious risks to their well-being. As pet owners, it's important to recognize that dogs possess unique dietary requirements and tolerances that differ from our own. A seemingly harmless food can result in serious medical concerns for our beloved dogs.

Sharing meals with your furry friend can deepen your connection, but it's important to set clear boundaries and learn about safe choices. We will explore safe human foods that can be offered in moderation, allowing you to indulge your furry companion while ensuring their health remains a top priority. Let’s explore how to make mealtime a secure and delightful occasion for you and your beloved dog!

Key Takeaways

• It is important to know the dangers of certain human foods that can cause severe health issues in dogs, including toxicity, digestive problems, and even death.

• Moderation is key when sharing food with your dog, as some human foods are safe in small amounts, but caution is necessary when introducing new foods.

• Toxic foods such as chocolate, grapes, onions, and alcohol are extremely harmful and should never be fed to dogs, so it's important to keep these items out of their reach.

• Common symptoms of food toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abnormal behavior, and any signs of distress after unusual eating should prompt immediate veterinary advice.

• Safe alternatives exist for treating dogs, including lean meats, certain fruits, and vegetables, so you can offer healthy snacks without compromising their well-being.

• Education is essential for dog owners, as understanding your dog’s dietary needs and restrictions is crucial to maintaining their health and happiness.

• Teaching boundaries is important, as training your dog not to beg for food from the table can help avoid bad habits and potential health risks.

• Being prepared for emergencies is wise, so always have the contact information for your veterinarian or an emergency pet poison hotline readily available.

• Engaging with fellow pet owners and veterinarians can enhance your knowledge of safe feeding practices and provide valuable support.

Foods That Are Harmful to Dogs

Let’s look into the reasons these foods are unsuitable for dogs, the potential consequences, and the warning signs to watch for if they’ve consumed them.

1. Alcohol

Alcohol, even in tiny quantities, can pose a risk to your dog. Avoid giving them a sip, and be mindful of where you place your drink, as some dogs may be drawn to it or the mixers nearby. Alcohol can intoxicate your dog, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially causing severe harm to the central nervous system.

Hops, a key ingredient in beer, can be extremely harmful to dogs. It can lead to a serious and often fatal condition known as malignant hyperthermia in dogs, characterized by uncontrollable and rapid overheating of the body, with certain breeds like greyhounds being especially vulnerable.

2. Liver

Although liver is safe and healthy in small doses, its vitamin A content is rather high. The level is too much to feed a dog in big quantities or more than one to two times a week; this might cause anorexia, weight loss, and bone problems.

3. Grapes & Raisins

Unknown toxins in grapes and raisins might induce liver damage and abrupt renal failure. While some dogs indicate problems after just a few grapes or raisins, others can consume them without any trouble. Including cakes, biscuits, and cereals they are commonly found in, grapes or raisins should be avoided to your dog. Affected dogs will exhibit renal failure in three to five days and throw up within a few hours.

4. Bread Dough

Once bread is prepared, most dogs can eat it safely; but the uncooked dough is toxic for them. Bread dough will release alcohol as it rises and expand in the warmth of your dog's stomach, causing bloating and pain. This may cause disorientation and sadness. Your dog might first try ineffectively to throw up before getting worse.

5. Raw Eggs

Raw eggs should not be consumed by dogs since they contain bacteria including Salmonella and also contain avidin, which in excess reduces the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), thereby causing possible skin, coat, and growth issues. cooked eggs are safe.

6. Chocolate

Theobromine found in chocolate compromises the central nervous system, kidneys, and heart. Chocolate consumption by dogs will first lead to vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, and anxiety; subsequently, tremors, hyperactivity, fast irregular pulse, seizures, coma, and maybe death. Symptoms could show six to twelve hours; darker chocolate is more harmful than milk chocolate and white is the least. Chocolate consumption increases the vulnerability of smaller dogs.

7. Raw Fish

Regularly fed raw fish to a dog can cause thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency, which would show up as a loss of appetite, weakness and unsteadiness, neck ventroflexion (bending downward), and seizures. Even so, this is more typical of cats.

8. Macadamia Nuts

With muscle spasms, panting, pain, and a raised body temperature resulting from an unidentified toxin, even in little quantities, macadamia nut consumption can induce weakness and trouble walking for a dog. Usually non deadly, this resolves in 24 to 48 hours.

9. Fruit Stones & Pips

Fruit like apple cores, apricots and plums should not be consumed by dogs as they contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can lead to cyanide poisoning with dilated pupils, vomiting, panting and fast irregular heartbeats (the stones can also cause intestinal obstruction). Still more fruit you could find. Another fruit you need to be mindful of is Feijoas. While the pulpy content of the feijoa is ok for dogs to eat, the skin of a feijoa can be toxic, and dogs should not eat it.

10. Milk, Cheese & Milk Products

For your dog occasionally, milk, cheese, and other items with milk can be okay; many dogs are lactose intolerant though. Bloating, gas, and diarrhea can all result from the lactose breaking down enzyme in milk and cheese. Should you choose to provide them with milk items, do so sparingly and keep in mind to steer clear of goods like chocolate, coffee, raisins, and nuts.

11. Avocados

Avocados have persin, a substance that can lead to myocardial necrosis (heart damage) in dogs within 24 to 48 hours. Symptoms such as lethargy, panting, coughing, cyanosis, exercise intolerance, and even death can occur in a dog after consuming an avocado. The elevated fat levels can trigger pancreatitis as well.

12. Onions, Garlic & Chives

Dogs will find raw, cooked, or powder varieties of the onion family poisonous. Foods of the onion family can damage red blood cells, first presenting symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and inappetence. Then, depending on Hemolytic anemia, the symptoms—which can take several days following ingestion—can advance to black urine, pale gums, fast heart rate, and shortness of breath due to Hemolytic anemia.

13. Caffeine

Dogs should stay away from caffeine in beverages including energy drinks and coffee. While a lick or two may be fine, keep your pet from getting any more than that since they can be sufficient to induce restlessness and vomiting and hasten their heartbeat to dangerous levels.

14. Xylitol

Many goods including sugar-free gum, confectionery, and toothpaste include xylitol as an artificial sweetener. By rapidly releasing insulin, xylitol can cause a dog to suffer low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, and even death.

Other Common Foods to Avoid

Other common foods you shouldn't give your dog are fatty trimmings (can make them fat and cause pancreatitis), cat food (which isn't balanced for dogs), corncobs (if the core is swallowed, it can block the intestines), cooked bones (they break easily; raw bones are better), homemade playdough with a lot of salt, or moldy foods (tremorgenic mycotoxins can make them very sick).

A chew for us is like a whole meal for a little dog; small amounts of these human foods and beverages may only cause mild digestive disturbances but depending on how much you eat and the size of your pet, more major issues can arise! Smaller canines are more vulnerable to stomach disturbances resulting from human food intake.

Many times, the toxic doses of these human consumables are unknown; hence, safe levels are also not quite obvious. Though symptoms could be instantaneous or build over several hours, if you know your dog has consumed anything it shouldn't - either from watching it being eaten or from finding proof like shredded empty packaging or seeing the food in vomit - don't wait to get guidance. If indicated, inducing vomiting is far better than treating poison.

Don’t be afraid to feed dogs ‘safe’ human food, just be conscious of what you feed them and what is in your pantry. No guacamole with flavored crackers, no licking out chocolate icing bowls, and no helping themselves to the rubbish bin!

Avoiding certain foods will help keep your dog safe and healthy. Remember that even small amounts of some foods can cause serious health issues, especially in smaller dogs. Always consult your vet if you’re unsure about feeding your dog a specific food or if they accidentally consume something toxic.

At The Canine Club, we recognize the importance of ensuring your dog remains both healthy and joyful. We prioritize your dog's well-being by providing a secure and caring environment for daycare, grooming, and boarding services. Book an appointment to learn about the exceptional care we offer. Contact us at (410) 539-7626 or explore our website at https://thecanine.club/ for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are some foods safe for humans but dangerous for dogs?

Certain foods contain compounds that dogs’ bodies can’t process as well as ours, leading to toxicity or digestive issues.

2. How much chocolate is toxic to a dog?

Even small amounts can be harmful, particularly for smaller dogs. Dark chocolate has higher theobromine levels and is more dangerous than milk or white chocolate.

3. Is it safe to feed my dog cheese?

Small amounts of plain cheese can be fine for most dogs, but many dogs are lactose intolerant and may experience digestive issues.

4. What symptoms should I watch for if my dog ate something toxic?

Common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abnormal heart rate. Contact your vet immediately if you notice these symptoms.

5. Can I give my dog any fruits?

Yes, but avoid fruits with pits or seeds, as they can contain cyanide or cause intestinal blockage. Safe fruits include apples (without the core), bananas, and berries.

6. Is it okay to share nuts with my dog?

Avoid sharing nuts with your dog, especially macadamia nuts, as these are toxic. Almonds and walnuts can also pose digestive risks.

7. What do I do if my dog eats something toxic?

Seek veterinary help right away. In some cases, inducing vomiting can help prevent absorption, but it should only be done under vet guidance.

8. Are homemade dog foods safe?

Yes, when balanced. Consult with your vet to ensure homemade food meets your dog’s nutritional needs without harmful ingredients.

9. How can I train my dog not to beg for human food?

Train your dog with positive reinforcement and avoid feeding them from your plate or during your meals to prevent begging behavior.

10. What other common foods should dogs avoid?

In addition to the foods above, avoid fatty trimmings, cooked bones, and large amounts of salt, as these can lead to pancreatitis and other issues.