Paws Off! - Foods You Should NEVER Give To Your Dog!
Foods Poisonous To Dogs - Foods Toxic To Dogs
By Debbie Moore
If your dog is like most of his kind, he's turned begging into an art form. Those soulful eyes locked on your fork as you eat each morsel of your dinner - perhaps made even more compelling by the slight, full-body tremor are enough to make you believe that your dog might die without his share of your delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack. If you are like many loving pet owners, you may give in to your furry bundle of love from time to time, showing your love for your dog by sharing your food.
If this sounds like you, BEWARE! Many ingredients that are commonly used in the dishes we humans love to eat can be harmful (and even fatal in large amounts) to your dog. If your dog is a small or toy dog breed - or a little puppy - this is even more of a problem, since he will be affected by an even smaller quantity.
The best plan of action is not to give your dog or puppy anything but good quality dog food and healthy treats made especially for dogs. This will ensure that your dog maintains a healthy diet and a healthy weight. Better still, following this practice will keep your pooch from developing a bad begging-at-the-table habit - something that can be embarrassing when you're throwing a dinner party or romantic dinner for that special someone.
All things being equal, some dog owners like to treat their dogs as equals, and prefer to allow their pets to have a little of what they're having. In this case, it's very important to know about certain foods that can make your pup sick, cause you unnecessary veterinary bills, and can even kill your dog.
Chocolate: A big NO NO! Chocolate contains a substance called Theobromine that is poisonous to dogs. The stronger the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your dog. Cocoa powder and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, but even milk chocolate can be hazardous if your dog eats enough of it. Theobromine will cause your dog's heart to beat faster, erratically, and can lead to heart failure. Prepared chocolate also has a high fat content, which can be very difficult for your dog's digestive system to handle. Your dog could become very ill with Pancreatitis as well.
Coffee and Tea: Your morning cup of pick-me-up is a potentially lethal cocktail for your dog or puppy. Be careful where you leave your cup of coffee. If your dog can gain access and drink from your cup - or can lick up errant coffee grinds from the kitchen floor - he can be overcome with heart palpitations, racing pulse, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath and possibly can die. The same goes for foods containing coffee or tea as an ingredient.
Rule of thumb: No Chocolate of any kind should be given to your dog. And be sure to keep your chocolate bar stash in a safe place where your dog can't get at it when you are not around. Make sure that guests (especially small ones) know the rules and do not feed chocolate to your dog when visiting.
Onions: Onions are particularly bad for dogs. Onions contain a substance called Thiosulphate that can cause a very serious condition called Hemolytic Anemia, where the red blood cells in your dog's blood stream literally burst. (Yikes!). Dogs who have ingested onion may have diarrhea or vomiting, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and appear tired and listless. These symptoms may not show up for 2 to 4 days after your dog has eaten the onions, so it's best to seek the advice of your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog has eaten onions. Watch for hidden sources of onion, too, such as store bought broth soups, pizza, baby foods, canned spaghetti sauces and other foods. Check the label to be sure there is no onion powder, onion salt or other form of onions.
Raisins and Grapes: These have recently been reported to cause toxicosis, leading to renal (kidney) failure in some dogs. To be safe, it's best to keep grapes and raisins away from your dog, be cautious with baked goods containing raisins, and be careful not to accidentally drop raisins on the kitchen floor when baking or cooking. The reason these are toxic to some dogs is uncertain; possible causes are pesticides used in the growing process, molds, or some other substance.
Other foods are considered potentially harmful to dogs and should also be avoided. These include:
Alcoholic beverages
Avocados
Potato peelings and green potatoes
Fatty Foods and Deep Fried Foods
Macadamia Nuts
Yeast and Yeast Dough
Garlic
Salt
Artificial Sweeteners (especially Xylitol)
Broccoli
Tobacco
Tomato Leaves and Stems
Apple Seeds
Moldy or Spoiled Foods
Dogs don't know any better than to eat things that are bad for them - but you certainly should know better than to give these things to your dog! Keep your dog safe and healthy by feeding only a high-quality dog food and healthy dog treats that are prepared without any of the above ingredients that could be harmful to your dog or puppy.
Copyright© 2007 Deborah Moore
Dog and Puppy Central
All rights reserved.Article may not be reused or reprinted in whole or in part without the express, written consent of the author.