Time to resist those puppy-dog eyes will we list the foods that can be harmful to your pooch and what your pup definitely shouldn’t be snacking on!
So many of us are guilty of feeding our dogs human food because we simply can’t resist their puppy-dog eyes when we are snacking on some of our favourite foods or drinks.
Or, our curious little pooches simply manage to get hold of some human treats that they shouldn’t be eating — some of these may even result in a visit to the vet.
Speaking of vet visits, we know how pricey these can be — unless you have affordable and comprehensive pet insurance that pays you before you see the vet.
Oneplan takes the hassle out of pet health care to give you more fun time with your pup.
Right then, back to the list of no-no foods.
While some foods may be OK for our pets (although it is still best for your beloved fur kid to stick to a balanced dog food diet), we have put together a list of 10 foods that your beloved canine companion should NOT be chomping on.
Let’s take a look:
1. Alcohol
We all know that alcohol takes a toll on the human liver, but the thing is — it does the same kind of damage to a dog’s liver. Any drinks or food that contain even the smallest amount of alcohol can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, central nervous system issues, problems with coordination, issues with breathing, coma and perhaps even death — it’s very serious. And of course, the smaller the dog, the greater the effect.
So although Bruno is your best buddy, he should NOT be your best drinking buddy — ever!
2. Bones
A number of us may have grown up giving our dogs bones from leftover meals we have eaten and we thought that this was a great treat for them, good for their teeth and kept them occupied for hours — but the truth is, bones are one of the most dangerous foods for our dogs.
Bones can lead to tooth fractures, can splinter or damage the digestive lining, and are also a choking hazard.
The symptoms of intestinal issues such as obstruction are often:
- vomiting
- not eating
- diarrhoea, and
- weakness that is seen soon after eating.
3. Caffeine
Coffee might be the best way to start your day, or perhaps you prefer an energy drink, but caffeinated foods and beverages can result in caffeine poisoning for your dog.
The symptoms of caffeine poisoning include:
- restlessness
- heart palpitations
- muscle tremors
- fits and bleeding, and
- rapid breathing.
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, then you need to take him or her to the vet.
4. Chocolate
Ah, the chocolatey goodness of a fresh slab of cubed chocolate — is there anything better? Well, even though a number of us cannot live without chocolate, it is certainly something your tail-wagging fur kid should never have, and here’s why…
The issue with your dog eating chocolate (even white chocolate) is that it contains theobromine — theobromine is a molecule made by plants. It’s most famous for being one of the many compounds naturally found in chocolate. Even small amounts of chocolate can result in making your pup sick.
The symptoms of theobromine poisoning include:
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- excessive thirst
- abnormal heart rate
- tremors, and
- seizures.
The most dangerous forms of chocolate are dark and unsweetened baking chocolate like cocoa.
So the next time you let your little four-pawed pal lick the mixing bowl — rather don’t!
5. Raisins and grapes
A number of dogs seem to love the taste of grapes and raisins and will often rush to pick them up when they drop on the floor. However, research has shown, that even a small amount of grapes can be poisonous to dogs.
Some of the symptoms to watch for include:
- repeated vomiting
- lethargy, and
- depression.
6. Macadamia nuts
These nuts are high in fat content, which can lead to overstimulating your pup’s pancreas making them really sick.
As few as just 6 of these nuts could be enough to give them unpleasant symptoms. Signs of macadamia poisoning include:
- muscle tremors
- weakness
- paralysis of the back legs
- fever
- rapid heart rate, and
- vomiting.
7. Onions and Garlic
This might seem a bit strange as some of us may believe that garlic and/or onions are a natural remedy for our dogs in protecting them from fleas. However, these two foods do not have any effect on fleas.
The thing with these dangerous foods is that they can destroy your dog’s red blood cells which can result in anaemia. Eating large quantities once or eating smaller amounts regularly can result in poisoning.
Your dog may be suffering from anaemia if he or she shows signs of:
- little interest in food
- breathlessness
- dullness
- weakness, and
- vomiting.
So, let’s leave the garlic for fending off vampires, shall we?
8. Pits and seeds from fruit
The thing with seeds and pits is that they can result in choking and intestinal obstruction which may need surgery to be removed.
The symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:
- not eating
- weakness, and
- diarrhoea.
Pits such as peaches, plums and nectarines also contain a toxic substance to both humans and dogs which is known as cyanide. So we advise that you chuck these in the bin and into the compost heap.
9. Xylitol
A newfound fad that goes hand in hand with banting and other low-carb high-fat diets is Xylitol. But the thing is that this can be a deadly sugar substitute for your dog to digest.
Xylitol (even in small doses) results in:
- vomiting
- coordination loss
- seizures, and
- liver failure in more severe cases.
Keep an eye on the ingredients of products you bring into your home as a lot of products seem to contain this sugar substitute. If you also give your pup peanut butter ensure that it is sugar-free, xylitol free and contains only pure peanut butter.
If your dog eats any, get him or her to the vet immediately.
10. Yeast dough
The thing with yeast dough is that it can swell in your pooch’s stomach and result in severe pain. So don’t give your dog fresh dough before baking your bread.
Our fur kids are naturally curious creatures and when they’re not sniffing something, they might be eating it. As their paw parents, we need to be as careful as possible in ensuring they don’t eat anything they are not supposed to.
If your beloved pooch has eaten something bad for them or is showing some of the above-mentioned symptoms, get them to your local vet (and the best part is that if you have pet insurance — you won’t have to fork out a hefty bill at the end of it).
Yours in paws,
Oneplan
