The Top 10 Most Toxic Foods To Dogs
As a dog owner, you have to be on alert at all times to ensure they’re safe and fully taken care of. No, you don’t need to be pumped full of caffeine observing their every move; you just need to take some extra precautions now and again.
One area you have to be careful about is feeding! We all know how tempting it can be to give your little fella a little ‘special treat.’ But, what you might think is special can be harmful and an ABSOLUTE NO-NO for them.
Some foods and ingredients in them can harm them and kill them. Now, by this point, we know alarm bells may be ringing in your head, triggering you to ask, “What can’t I feed my Dog? “and “What foods can kill dogs?”
Well, to help you’ve we’ve come up with a top 10 list of the most toxic foods you should never feed to your pet.
Top 10 Toxic Foods For Dogs
1. People Food (Sugars, Fats, Salt)
Yep, we get it; you’re probably looking at this title and starting to panic. What is people’s food, basically everything is? Yes, we’re aware the title can be a bit vague. However, People food contains larger levels of fats, sugars and salt than a dog is used to. Salt causes an electrolyte imbalance in dogs.
Sugars are not a natural food and can cause obesity, and large amounts of fat and protein can’t be digested correctly, which causes digestion problems, pancreatitis, as well as liver dysfunction. Additionally, many perfectly harmless-looking human foods can also be toxic to pets. Therefore before you feed your dog anything you’re eating, we recommend to whip out your smartphone and attempt a google search before feeding them without thinking.
2. Raw Eggs
No doubt, eggs are full of protein and, if cooked well, can really benefit your dog’s coat and digestive system. But one way they are not great is if you give eggs to them raw. Never mind not great; it’s completely toxic!
The reason for this is that raws eggs can contribute to a biotin deficiency. Eggs contain an enzyme known as ‘avidin,’ which restricts the absorption of biotin, one of the many B Vitamins.
Even though biotin deficiencies are not that common in dogs, they could potentially still happen. If they end up having a biotin deficiency, they can be at risk of having an unhealthy coat, difficulty with digestion, skin problems and more. Not forgetting eggs can also carry salmonella, which is highly poisonous to dogs.
3. Milk & Other Dairy Products
Even though milk and dairy products have many calcium boosting properties, they can be a disadvantage to dogs. Dairy products can often be one of the most common contributors to lactose intolerance in canines!
You may find some dogs can handle dairy products such as plain yogurt and cheese; however, not all dogs can. This is because dogs do not have enough lactose enzymes to effectively break down the lactose found in dairy products. This affects the dog’s digestive system and leads to gas problems, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Read our article on our top pointers on handling your pet’s diarrhea.
4. Human Vitamins Containing Iron:
These vitamins damage a dog’s digestive system wall lining, its kidneys and its liver. There are Vitamin B supplements designed especially for dogs.
5. Large Quantities Of Liver:
Ingesting a large amount of liver will result in Vitamin A toxicity, and it affects the muscles and bones of the dog. If they consume a large amount of it, their bones could become deformed, extra bone growth, anorexia and more.
6. Mushrooms:
Mushrooms contain many toxins, and there are different types of poisonous toxins attached to specific mushrooms. All of which can affect many areas of a dog’s body. They can cause seizures, shock and even possibly death.
7. Macadamia Nuts:
Macadamia nuts contain toxins, and a mere handful of these nuts can lead to vomiting, muscle and joint pain, swelling and lethargy.
8. Grapes and Raisins:
Newer studies have shown both grapes and raisins have a toxin that affects a dog’s kidney functions and causes kidney damage, and can lead to kidney failure and death. While they’re highly toxic, it’s still uncertain what chemical in the grape causes this.
9. Onions & Garlic:
These foods contain sulfoxides and disulphides, which damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Onions being the most toxic of the two, and you should avoid any part of it such as the skin, powder or inner part. In addition to this, garlic should be avoided as well.
10. Chocolate & Anything With Caffeine
Dogs should never consume chocolate WE REPEAT; they must NEVER EAT IT. While dark chocolate is the worst, all chocolate contains theobromine which is similar to caffeine.
Theobromine is a very dangerous substance for dogs, and it’s not only one that’s poisonous, but dogs struggle to metabolize it.
High amounts of theobromine could cause death. Therefore if your dog has consumed the slightest bit of chocolate, you must take it to a vet. Don’t worry though, if it’s just a very small amount of chocolate, usually it only causes digestive issues. Nevertheless, still, take it to see a veterinarian.
Here Are a Few More Toxic Foods Worth Noting:
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- ALCOHOL
- YEAST DOUGH
- SUGAR
- PEACH / APRICOT PITS
- WALNUTS
- TURKEY SKIN
- SUGARLESS CANDY AND GUM
- POTATOES
Veggies That Are Bad For Dogs
While vegetables might be really healthy for us to consume, you can’t always guarantee that they’re beneficial for dogs. In fact, there are some vegetables which can cause a lot of health problems which are:
- Avocados: Inside Avocado, there is a substance called persin, which is a fungal toxin. When consumed, it can cause serious health problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal problems.
- Unripe Tomatoes: Even though you can feed your dog ripe tomatoes, you should never feed them an unripe one. If consumed like this, they’re highly toxic and can cause gastrointestinal problems, abnormal heart rate, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, changes to behaviour and more.
- Leeks: Leeks can damage red blood cells causing hemolytic anemia.
- Chives: Similar to onions and leeks, chives fall under the allium family and are highly poisonous.
Foods That Are Good For Dogs
In this article, we’ve highlighted all the foods that are bad for dogs, but what about foods dogs can eat? Well, to give you an idea, we’ve come up with a list of healthy snacks and healthy foods that will benefit them.
- Carrots: Contain lots of Vitamin A and are high in fibre.
- Apples: Have Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which help clean your dog’s teeth.
- Chicken: Has a good source of protein and levels of Omega 3, allowing them to have a healthier coat
- Peanut butter: Contains protein, healthy fats, Vitamin E and Vitamin B.
- White rice: A carbohydrate that is easy to digest and works well with upset stomachs.
- Bananas: A low calorie treat that is high in copper, potassium, biotin, fibre and vitamins.
- Blueberries: Contain antioxidants, fibre, Vitamins K and C.
- Cucumber: Keeps dogs hydrated and allows them to enjoy potassium, Vitamin K and C.
- Spinach: It’s full of iron, antioxidants, Vitamins A, B, C and K.
On the contrary, if you suspect that your pet has ingested any of the items stated as dangerous in this article or has ingested something that is making them act peculiar – contact your vet immediately and seek their professional advice.
At Jet Pet Resort, we have a full-service kitchen and onsite chef who prepares daily meals for our guests in accordance with each pet’s specific diet. Our Pet Specialists understand the nutritional requirements of your pet and monitor all activity surrounding their meals.
At Jet Pet Resort, your pet and their food preparation are in safe hands.
Read more about common plants that are toxic to your pet. Or, take a look at: Can cleaning your home harm your pet?