Dangerous Foods for Dogs
Who
can resist those big brown eyes and cute doggie grin? Can a little
reward from the table really hurt your dog? Well, that depends on what
it is and what's in it. A chip with guacamole can cause your dog some
real problems. In fact, there's a lot of people food your dog should
never eat. And, it's not just because of weight. Some foods are
downright dangerous for dogs -- and some of these common foods may
surprise you.
Avocado
No matter
how good you think the guacamole is, you shouldn't give it to your dog.
Avocados contain a substance called persin. It's harmless for humans who
aren't allergic. But large amounts might be toxic to dogs. If you
happen to be growing avocados at home, keep your dog away from the
plants. Persin is in the leaves, seed, and bark, as well as in the
fruit.
Alcohol
Beer,
liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol -- none of it's good for your
dog. That's because alcohol has the same effect on a dog's liver and
brain that it has on humans. But it takes far less to do its damage.
Just a little can cause vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system
depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma, even
death. And the smaller the dog, the greater the effect.
onions and Garlic
Onions
and garlic in all forms -- powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated -- can
destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia. That can happen even
with the onion powder found in some baby food. An occasional small dose
is probably OK. But just eating a large quantity once or eating smaller
amounts regularly can cause poisoning. Symptoms of anemia include
weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and
breathlessness.
Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeine
Caffeine
in large enough quantities can be fatal for a dog. And, there is no
antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid
breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding. In
addition to tea and coffee - including beans and grounds -- caffeine can
be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red
Bull. It's also in some cold medicines and pain killers.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes
and raisins have often been used as treats for dogs. But it's not a
good idea. Although it isn't clear why, grapes and raisins can cause
kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog ill.
Repeated vomiting is an early sign. Within a day, the dog will become
lethargic and depressed. The best prevention is to keep grapes and
raisins off counters and other places your dog can reach.
Milk and Other Dairy Products
On
a hot day, it may be tempting to share your ice cream cone with your
dog. But if your dog could, it would thank you for not doing so. Milk
and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive upset as
well as set up food
allergies (which often manifest as itchiness).
Macadamia Nuts
Dogs
should not eat macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts
because they can be fatal. As few as six raw or roasted macadamia nuts
can make a dog ill. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors,
weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body
temperature, and rapid heart rate. Eating chocolate with the nuts will
make symptoms worse, possibly leading to death.
Candy and Gum
Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with
xylitol. Xylitol can cause an increase in the
insulin
circulating through your dog's body. That can cause your dog's blood
sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Initial symptoms include
vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may
have seizures. Liver failure can occur within just a few days.
Chocolate
Most
people know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The toxic agent in
chocolate is theobromine. It's in all kinds of chocolate, even white
chocolate. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate,
chocolate mulch, and unsweetened baking chocolate. Eating chocolate,
even just licking the icing bowl, can cause a dog to vomit, have
diarrhea, and be excessively thirsty. It can also cause abnormal heart
rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.
Fat Trimmings and Bones
Table
scraps often contain meat fat that a human didn't eat and bones. Both
are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked,
can cause pancreatitis in dogs. And, although it seems natural to give a
dog a bone, a dog can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and cause an
obstruction or lacerations of your dog's digestive system. It's best to
just forget about the doggie bag.
Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums
The
problem with these fruits is the seeds or pits. The seeds from
persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine in dogs. They
can also cause intestinal obstruction. Obstruction is also a possibility
if a dog eats the pit from a peach or plum. Plus, peach and plum pits
contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs. The
difference is humans know not to eat them. Dogs don't.
Raw Eggs
There
are two problems with giving your dog raw eggs. The first is the
possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli.
The second is that an enzyme in raw eggs interferes with the absorption
of a particular B vitamin. This can cause skin problems as well as
problems with your dog's coat if raw eggs are fed for a long time.
Raw Meat and Fish
Raw
meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that causes food
poisoning. In addition, certain kinds of fish such as salmon, trout,
shad, or sturgeon can contain a parasite that causes "fish disease" or
"salmon poisoning disease." If not treated, the disease can be fatal
within two weeks. The first signs of illness are vomiting, fever, and
big lymph nodes. Thoroughly cooking the fish will kill the parasite and
protect your dog.
Salt
It's
not a good idea to share salty foods like chips or pretzels with your
dog. Eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and
lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of too much salt include
vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, and
seizures. It may even cause death.
Sugary Foods and Drinks
Too
much sugar can do the same thing to dogs that it does to humans. It can
lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly the onset of diabetes.
Yeast Dough
Before
it's baked, bread dough needs to rise. And, that's exactly what it
would do in your dog's stomach if your dog ate it. As it swells inside,
the dough can stretch the dog's abdomen and cause severe pain. In
addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces
alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Your Medicine
Reaction
to a drug commonly prescribed for humans is the most common cause of
poisoning in dogs. Just as you would do for your children, keep all
medicines out of your dog's reach. And, never give your dog any
over-the-counter medicine unless told to do so by your vet. Ingredients
such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold
medicine. And, they can be deadly for your dog.
Kitchen Pantry: No Dogs Allowed
Many
other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your dog. For
instance, baking powder and baking soda are both highly toxic. So are
nutmeg and other spices. Keeping food items high enough to be out of
your dog's reach and keeping pantry doors closed will help protect your
dog from serious food-related illness.
If Your Dog Eats What It Shouldn't
Dogs
explore with their mouth. And, no matter how cautious you are, it's
possible your dog can find and swallow what it shouldn't. It's a smart
idea to always keep the number of your local vet, the closest emergency
clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center -- (888) 426-4435 --
where you know you can find it in an emergency. And, if you think your
dog has consumed something that's toxic, call for emergency help at
once.
Safe: Some Fresh Fruits
Slices
of apples, oranges, bananas, and watermelon make tasty treats for your
dog. Be sure to remove any seeds first, though. Seeds, stems, and leaves
can cause serious problems.
Safe: Some Vegetables
Your
dog can have a healthy snack of carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber
slices, or zucchini slices. Even a plain baked potato is OK. Be sure,
though, not to let your dog eat any raw potatoes or any potato plants it
might have access to in your garden.
Safe: Cooked White Rice and Pasta
Dogs
may enjoy plain white rice or pasta after it's cooked. And, a serving
of plain white rice with some boiled chicken can sometimes provide
welcome relief from gastrointestinal upset.
**Some information cited from
http://www.webmd.com
