What human foods are dangerous to dogs?
Human Foods that are Dangerous to Dogs. Dog lovers and pet owners are usually very kind and generous folks. We share our lives and homes (for some lucky dogs, even our beds) with our canine buddies. So, there’s nothing inherently wrong with sharing our comfort foods with them as well, am I right? Well, not necessarily. A lot of human food items, like grains, fruits, and vegetables, that us humans digest just fine could wreak havoc on your dog’s system, causing serious health conditions.
Meanwhile, some of the human foods that we enjoy could be introduced to a pup’s diet just fine. These foods could even offer excellent health benefits, like allergy immunity, joint strength, as well as better breath.
Hold up! Before you give your dog some human foods that you crave, read our article and learn about which human foods could send your pup straight to the emergency vet.
Nevertheless, always keep in mind that even healthy foods, when fed in excess, could lead to canine obesity, the highest health concern for dogs in the United States. Always pick quality dog food as your pet’s main diet.
Human Foods that are Dangerous to Dogs
Caffeine and Chocolate
It is a well-known fact that good ‘ole cocoa is dangerous to dogs. A lot of dogs do not have an “off” button when they’re finding food, unlike their feline friends. The type and amount of chocolate your canine pal ingest impacts the toxicity level and symptoms he would experience.
These symptoms could include increased thirst, muscle tremors, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, irregular heartbeat, seizures, high body temperature, and even death. Keep in mind that the darker the chocolate is (cocoa powder or baker’s chocolate, for example), the more hazardous it is to your dog.
Dark chocolates contain a higher concentration of theobromine and caffeine, both of which could cause toxicosis in pups. Steer your dog clear of caffeinated beverages, too, since it would have the same effects on them.
Grapes and Raisins
While raisins and grapes are not hazardous to some dogs, they’ve been linked to kidney failure and death in others. Nevertheless, it is not worth the risk to see if your dog belongs in the latter group! Diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy could happen within 12 hours of consumption.
If the symptoms aren’t treated immediately, they could lead to severe dehydration. If your pup has ingested raisins or grapes and these symptoms occur, take them promptly to a veterinarian. Your dog could develop long-term kidney conditions or even die because of kidney failure within four to five days.
Raw Bread Dough and Alcohol
Trace amounts of alcohol found in human foods like raw bread dough, food, and drinks could be poisonous to pups. These products have ethanol, and beer likewise has hops, which could lead to alcohol intoxication in dogs. Signs of alcohol intoxication include disorientation, vomiting, high body temperature, excessive panting, restlessness, seizures, and muscle tremors.
Canines who display signs of alcohol intoxication need to be monitored by a veterinarian until they fully recover, as it could cause multiple organ failure and even death. Keep in mind that the yeast in raw bread dough could likewise result in stomach expansion, which could cause tissue damage and difficulty in breathing.
Xylitol
Xylitol, an artificial sweetener often found in human foods like sugar-free candy, sugarless gum, and baked goodies, are poisonous to dogs. It could likewise be found in mouthwash, chewable vitamins, toothpaste, and cough drops. When ingested, xylitol could cause a fatal drop in your pup’s blood sugar and liver damage as well. Symptoms could include loss of coordination, vomiting, and seizures, which could happen within a few minutes to a couple of hours after ingestion.
Dogs that consume heavy amounts of xylitol could likewise develop liver failure and even death. If you believe that your pup has ingested anything that could’ve contained Xylitol, it’s crucial that you contact your veterinarian promptly.
Onions and Garlic
Onions, garlic, shallots, and chives—basically anything in the onion family-are harmful to dogs. These human foods have compounds that could lead to anemia, gastroenteritis, and severe damage to your dog’s red blood cells.
Garlic is believed to be five times as dangerous to dogs as onions. Symptoms of garlic or onion poisoning usually don’t appear for a few days after consumption but could involve orange- to dark red-colored urine, lethargy, and weakness.
Other Human Foods Harmful to Dogs
Like milk and cheeses, dairy products could disrupt your pup’s digestive system and trigger bouts of diarrhea and food allergies. Consuming even just a few macadamia nuts could cause a lack of coordination, weakness, and even paralysis.
Avocados have persin, which could cause mild stomach discomfort in dogs. The bones in chicken, fish, and meat could likewise be very dangerous to your pup. They could splinter and stick in your dog’s throat, break teeth, or even cut the intestines and cause internal bleeding.
If you’re uncertain if you could feed certain food items to your pup, always consult your vet first.
As a general rule, it would be best to refrain from feeding your dog human foods. Although it could be difficult to ignore those adorable puppy dog eyes staring at you at the dinner table, giving in and feeding your dog human foods could usually result in weight gain and other more severe health issues.
Kitchen Pantry: No Dogs Allowed
A lot of other human foods commonly found on kitchen shelves and pantries could potentially hurt your dog. Heavy amounts of baking soda or baking powder are highly toxic.
The same is true with large amounts of nutmeg and cinnamon. Always keep your pantry closed or keep harmful human foods away from your dog’s reach.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Harmful Human Foods
To minimize the risk of your dog eating stuff that he shouldn’t, ensure that you never ever leave these foods on tables or countertops, or other areas where your pup could reach or access them.
If you see that dog has ingested any of the foods listed above, call the pet poison hotline immediately and promptly consult with your vet.
Treatment would depend on your dog’s symptoms as well as the kind of food he has ingested. Nevertheless, do not treat or medicate your pup unless a licensed veterinarian recommends you to do so.
