10 Most Toxic Foods For Dogs

Who can resist some loving, big puppy dog eyes! But when it comes to giving your dog certain human foods, resist them! This is because not all human food is safe to be ingested by a dog, and if you ever discover that your dog has eaten any of these foods, immediately search "emergency vets near me" on Google and take them to your nearest emergency vet. Here are a few foods you should make sure your dog stays clear from:

Chocolate

Most dog owners already know about this, but the delicious treat we love so much that is chocolate can actually act as poison for dogs. This is because chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which can cause tremors, kidney damage, abnormal heartbeats, seizures and even death. Dark chocolate and cooking chocolate have the highest percentages of theobromine and hence are the most dangerous, whereas white chocolate contains the smallest amount, but is still hazardous.

Onions, garlic and chives

Raw, cooked, dehydrated, fried or in powder form, onions, garlic and chives and other members of the onion family contain compounds that can cause red blood cells to break down. This may put your dog at risk of developing anemia, although symptoms may take a few days to appear. Anemia can cause your dog to become lethargic, lose appetite or lose weight.

Avocado

The delicious food we love to add to our breakfast and guacamole could lead to gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea in our dogs. This is because of a substance called persin which is found in the leaves, fruit and seed of an avocado.

Grapes and Raisins

Many desserts we eat contain raisins, and grapes are delicious fruit to snack on. Although it is still unclear why, grapes and raisins can cause vomiting and kidney failure. Even a single grape is toxic.

Xylitol

An artificial sweetener that is often used in candy, gum, toothpaste, cough drops, vitamins and baked goods, xylitol can cause life-threatening drops in a dog’s blood sugar and damage the liver. A 10-pound dog would only need a single stick of gum with xylitol to cause catastrophic damage. This is also why you shouldn’t use the same toothpaste for your dog’s teeth as the one you use. There are specially formulated dog toothpaste available in the market today.

Macadamia nuts

While nuts of all sorts contain high levels of oils and fats and could contribute to obesity, vomiting and diarrhea, macadamia nuts are particularly dangerous. They contain a toxin that can cause clinical signs of poisoning, including vomiting, fever, rapid heartbeat, lower body paralysis, weakness and muscle tremors. Combined with chocolate, they can even be fatal.

Caffeine

Tea, coffee, cocoa and soft drinks all contain caffeine and a substance called methylxanthines which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, excessive thirst and urination which can lead to dehydration and even death.

Milk and Dairy Products

Most animals do not naturally produce the amount of lactase necessary to break down milk and other dairy products. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose that is present in milk. These products can cause diarrhea and stomach upset.

Alcohol and Yeast Dough

A dog’s liver works much the same way as a human’s, which is why alcohol affects a dog much the same way as a human. However, a dog will need a significantly smaller dose for it to do significant damage to the liver because of its much smaller size. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can cause diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, central nervous system damage, coordination issues, coma and even death. The smaller the dog is, the faster the alcohol will take effect and the smaller the dose required to cause irreversible damage.

Similarly, alcohol is a by-product released during the fermentation of yeast in bread dough. It may also rise in the dog’s stomach, causing bloating and gas which can be quite painful. While humans do not get intoxicated due to the very minute amount of alcohol released during fermentation, dogs can.

Raw or undercooked eggs, meat or fish

Raw or undercooked meat or eggs could contain bacteria like salmonella and E-coli that can be harmful to both humans and pets. Raw eggs may also contain avidin, an enzyme that plays a role in decreasing the absorption of vitamin B or biotin. This could lead to skin and coat problems. Bones can also be a choking hazard and can splinter when chewed, causing injuries.

If you believe your dog has ingested any of the above foods, don’t wait for symptoms to appear and immediately take them to a vet near you or book a home visit vet to get them checked. In certain cases, how fast you get your dog to emergency care can determine whether he or she suffers permanent damage or not.

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