Foods dogs should not have
It’s great to feed your pet pooch lots of different foods, after all their diet of kibble or meat must seem pretty boring. However some foods that are commonly given to dogs can cause untold damage to their health. Here are what foods you should avoid and what foods you can give instead. If you suspect your dog has eaten any of these foods in large quantities you should promptly seek the advice of a vet.
Chocolate
Chocolate is commonly given to dogs, but even a little bit can be harmful. Chocolate contains the substance Theobromine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, nervousness, tremors and in large doses can cause death. Different types of chocolate have different levels of Theobromine, with dark being the highest. Cocoa powder and things coated in it also contain high levels of this toxic chemical, however even the tiniest bit can be harmful as the chemical is not easily cleared from the liver and kidneys. This means with each dose, it can build up to potentially fatal levels.
What to give instead: You can buy dog chocs, which are made from safe ingredients and have no Theobromine in them. This makes a safe and healthier option that will keep you and your pet happy!
Milk and dairy products
Some people enjoy giving their dogs milk, be it in the form of ice cream or yoghurt. Although the dog will enjoy it, it’s not the best thing to do. Milk contains the sugar Lactose and while your dog is being weaned it has the ability to digest this sugar but as it gets older it looses this ability. This means the sugar sits in the digestive tract and ferments, producing a gas, giving your dog a bad tummy ache and diarrhoea. While in some dogs this can go unnoticed, many dogs have a high intolerance to such products.
What to give instead: Cheese flavoured treats or even lactose free products, however you should still be careful with these. Some dog treats can be derived from milk but are lactose free and these are a great alternative!
Grapes and raisins:
An unknown toxin in grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, although this was only discovered very recently, it is something every dog owner should be aware of. Grapes and raisins can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and if left unnoticed can progress to kidney failure.
What to give instead: If you are worried about vitamins getting to your dog, try feeding a small amount of cooked and cooled peas, sweet corn and carrots to the kibble or meat. Make sure they are cooked or they are of no nutritional value!
Bananas:
People often give their canine companion banana, however this could be fatal for the dog. Bananas are high in potassium and while a dog needs a small amount of this for healthy heart, what he or she gets from the bananas is too much. This can, in severe cases cause heart failure.
What to give instead: As a general rule fruits should be avoided, if you are worried about the condition of your dog you could try giving a vitamin supplement or putting a supplement for dogs on his or her meals.
Citrus fruits:
Oranges, lemons, apples and grapefruit are all main contenders here. They contain a lot of vitamin C which is good for the dog in right amounts. However the amount they contain isn’t good when given on top of a healthy diet and the acidity in these fruits can cause problems with the stomach.
What to give instead: Fruits should be avoided generally but if you are wanting to give extra vitamins to the diet try a vitamin supplement for dogs or mixing cooked and cooled peas, sweet corn and carrots with their meat or kibble.
Onions and garlic:
Onions and garlic should never be given to dogs, in any form. The toxins they contain can be fatal for dogs and are hard for dogs to get rid of, so they can build up inside the dogs system. Signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, dark coloured urine, paleness of the gums and tongue and the whites of the eyes turning yellow. Eating onions regularly can cause severe anaemia. If not gone unchecked, eating onions or garlic can cause death.
Mushrooms:
Mushrooms shouldn’t be given to dogs as they contain toxins that can affect the digestive system as well as the nervous system. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, fits and difficulty breathing.
Nuts:
Nuts contain many toxins, which can wreak havoc on the nervous system and digestive tract. Your dog may vomit, have diarrhoea, go into anaphylaxis or have a fit from eating nuts. It can cause death in some cases.
Salty foods:
Salty foods given on a regular basis can lead to unbalances in the way dogs handle minerals and water absorption. This can have a wide range of effects from upsets to the digestive system to having a raised temperature and if left unchecked can lead to sever dehydration and death. Eating large amounts of salt is also fatal and should be treated by a vet immediately.
Sugary foods:
Giving sugary foods, especially if regularly, can lead to obesity and most likely diabetes in dogs. It will also affect your dog’s dental health. Also artificial sweeteners can cause liver failure. These foods should never be given.
