Top 10 toxic foods for dogs

Sometimes while munching on our food we tend to feed some of it to our pets as well without being aware that not all food items that we consume are safe for our furry friends. Your dog would undoubtedly gulp it real quick but it might prove fatal. So, having a clear idea of which food items should not be fed to your dog can help ensure its safety and good health. In this blog post, we have listed the top 10 common foods that we might be consuming on regular basis but could prove to be toxic for dogs. Read on:

Top 10 toxic foods for dogs:

Chocolate

Yes! You read that right; chocolate is one of the most harmful foods for dogs. The presence of theobromine in chocolates can cause serious trouble in dog’s metabolic activity. Even a small quantity of chocolate intake can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting in dogs. So, you can say that chocolate or chocolate flavoured products are poisonous for dogs.

Grapes and raisins

Grapes and its dried versions like raisins, currants and sultanas are also very toxic for our furry friends as they can lead to kidney failure. So, it’s always good to resist feeding it to your dog even as an occasional treat.

Onions and Garlic

These very common ingredients of our daily meals hold the potential to damage your dog’s red bloods cells eventually leading to anemia. It can also lead to upset stomach and bad breath in dogs.

Dairy products

Though not considered toxic yet dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt can upset the dog’s gut as its body does not produce the enzyme needed to digest certain sugars found in milk. Hence, there are increased chances of bloating, diarrhea, and gastric issues.

Caffeine

A definite addiction for humans; Caffeine is highly toxic for dogs as it can lead to hyperactivity, muscle spasms, seizures and irregular heartbeats in dogs. Any caffeinated drink, be it coffee, cold drinks, energy drinks or even caffeine tablets are a big NO for dogs.

Bones

Bones are not toxic but could be dangerous for dogs. Since bones are hard and sharp; they can lead to a number of issues like breaking of dog’s teeth, getting stuck in the throat, causing intestinal blockage and even lead to spiky stools that are extremely painful.

Salt

Just like too much salt is not good for humans; dogs too experience health issues on consuming excess salt. This is often referred as salt poisoning in dogs. Further, dogs already having any heart or kidney conditions should strictly avoid any extra salt in their diet.

Artificial Sweeteners

The artificial sweetener named Xylitol is very harmful for dogs. Reason being, the dog’s body confuses this artificial sweetener for real sugar owing to which their pancreas release excessive insulin. However, since there is no actual sugar present in the body; the blood sugar levels drop drastically leading to tremors, seizures and even coma. Hence, it’s always recommended to check the ingredients of any packaged human food you wish to give to your dog.

Macadamia Nuts

The macadamia nuts can lead to upset stomach in dogs causing vomiting and diarrhea. Hence, it’s better to avoid feeding it to your dog.

Alcohol

Consumption of even small amount of an alcoholic drink can lead to serious side effects in dogs. So, keep these of the dog’s reach.

Dogs are not just pets rather they are like family members and being pet owners it is our responsibility to keep them healthy and safe. And now since you know that common food items available at home could prove toxic to dog’s health; it’s always a good idea to avoid feeding such foods to them. However, if you ever notice that your dog is having an upset stomach then consult a veterinarian immediately.

If your dog’s growth or health is not up to the mark then consult the best vets at MaxPetZ to get a diet chart based upon your dog’s breed and age.

Call 8448449955, to book an appointment.