Foods You Should Never Feed Your Dog

 

Some foods which are edible for humans can pose hazards for dogs. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas others can cause severe illness, and even death. The following common items should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to dogs.

Alcoholic beverages

As with humans, alcohol consumption can cause intoxication, coma and death. Due to his higher metabolism and lower body weight, however, it takes far less alcohol to cause these effects in a dog than in a human.

Chocolate

The rule of thumb is, the darker the chocolate, the more deadly it is. Baking chocolate (or, alternatively, very pure bittersweet gourmet ‘eating’ chocolate) is the most lethal to dogs; only 0.1 oz. per pound of body weight will kill a dog. At the other end of the spectrum, white chocolate is the least toxic (as it contains the fewest cocoa solids). To be safe, all forms of chocolate should be avoided.

Bones

Most types of bones will splinter, and these splinters may become lodged in the dog's throat. The safest bone for a dog is the beef shin bone. Avoid chicken and pork bones.

Fat trimmings - Can cause pancreatitis.

Grapes and raisins - Contain a toxin which has been found to damage the kidneys, possibly resulting in kidney failure.

Marijuana

Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting and changes in the heart rate.

Milk and other dairy products - Adult dogs can’t break down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea and excessive gas.

Moldy or spoiled food, or garbage - Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.

Onions

especially in large quantities. (Onions are even more dangerous to cats.)

Salt - If eaten regularly it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

Sugary foods - Can lead to obesity, dental problems and possibly diabetes.

Table scraps (in large amounts)

Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.

Tobacco

Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.

Other toxic foods or food byproducts that might appear in your kitchen (or kitchen trash can) that are dangerous to your dog:

Apple seeds or pear seeds

Apricot pits or peach pits

Avocado leaves

Eggplant leaves

All parts of the tomato plant except the tomato itself

Coffee beans

Cassava root

Rhubarb

Many common yard plants are also poisonous—read more about them here:

Poisonous plants to dogs

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