Foods That Could Harm Your Dog

It’s no secret that dogs love table scraps.  They would gladly take a piece of human food and devour it in an instant. However, it is our job to protect our dogs from things that can casue them harm. Never assume that human food is safe for pets. Some foods, if ingested by dogs can cause paralysis, illness or even in some cases death.

Take note of  these foods and keep them away from your dogs:

• Chocolate contains the chemical therobromine. This chemical will cause a toxic chemical reaction to pets. Some chocolates are more lethal that others see the Dog Diaries Article: Death by Chocolate to learn more.
• Onions and Garlic contain chemicals that cause anemia in dogs and cats. Although cats are more susceptible to this, dogs can still be affected. Garlic is not as toxic as onion but nonethelessit should not be ingested by your pet.
• Macadamia Nuts These nuts can cause paralysis in dogs. Ingestion of these nuts can cause dogs to lose mobility in their limbs, and limbs could become swollen or limp.  It’s hard to know the amount that will have the most drastic affects so keep these nuts hidden far away on your highest shelf and check for any trees around where your dog might be.
• Avocado The toxic ingredient in avocado is called persin. This will affect your dog’s ability to breathe and can cause fluid around the lungs.
• Xylitol This is a common sweetener found in lollies. A simple pack of chewing gum can cause liver disease which can be fatal. Best to keep  lollies on high shelves and make your children aware that this could hurt their pet.
• Grapes can cause irreversible kidney damage. Dogs should never eat these as there is no cure for kidney disease.
• Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs Dogs should never ingest these under any circumstances as even small doses can prove to be lethal.

For a complete list of harmful foods and substances click here.

Be sure that your pets can’t get into cabinets where food is kept, cannot dig around in your rubbish bins and that there are no scraps on your floors. Especially be aware of stray nuts (macadamia nuts are native to Australia) and fruits when walking your dog.  Being careful of your pup’s surroundings will save you a lot of trouble in the future.

IMPORTANT: Don’t assume that the dog will be unharmed if it has consumed these foods. This is a common, fatal mistake dog owners can make. Some symptoms of food poisoning don’t show up for minutes or hours. If you believe your dog has  ingested something don’t delay!  Don’t give the animal any food or water and head straight to the veterinary clinic. Bring with you the package or type of food you believe was ingested.  This will help the veterinarian to treat your dog  more timely and effectively.