Human Foods That are Toxic to Dogs!
How many of us have shared a treat or two with our fur babies? Maybe a slice of banana? Maybe some left overs from tonight’s dinner? We want to share some foods that are actually toxic to pets, some of which may be surprising to you!
Chocolate and Caffeine
Chocolate might be a sweet treat for humans, and most of us enjoy our coffee in the morning, but for dogs, both are toxic (due to their methynxanthine content)! The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to our furry friends.
Vets are mostly concerned with bakers chocolate (e.g., chocolate chips) but if you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate of any kind, it’s better to be safe than sorry and bring them to the vet immediately.
Signs of chocolate toxicity include:
vomiting and diarrhea
panting
hyperactivity
abnormal heart rhythm
excessive thirst and urination
tremors
seizures
in worst case, death
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are healthy nuts for humans, but for dogs, it can cause major issues.
Signs and behaviors to look for include:
weakness
incoordination
tremors
vomiting
hypothermia
Other nuts like almonds, pecans, and walnuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis in some pets so it’s better to avoid all nuts!
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes contain tartaric acid and dogs are not able to process tartaric acid. Consuming grapes could potentially lead to kidney damage!
Onion and Garlic
You might have shared a piece of steak or chicken with your dogs, which in itself is fine, BUT avoid any seasoning like salt, onion, and garlic. Onion and garlic can cause stomach irritation and red blood cell damage in dogs, which could lead to anemia.
Avocado
The main concern related to avocado and dogs is the persin content, which could potentially be poisonous to dogs. The amount of persin that’s been shown to be fatal is unknown, nut we do know that large amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and potentially a heart attack. It’s better to stay away from giving your fur baby avocado!
Cherries
With summer being around the corner, fruits like cherries tend to be our go-to on a hot summer day! But don’t share your treat with your dog! Cherries contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. It can interfere with their ability to get enough oxygen, dialated pupils, difficulty breating, and red gums1
Tomatoes
There is nothing better than a salad with fresh tomatoes for humans! Even though the tomato itself is generally safe for dogs, the green parts of the tomato plant contain a toxic substance called solanine, so it’s better to avoid tomatoes all together and not take any chances!
Raw meats
Pet owners are often looking for non-canned non-processed foods and its’ easy to fall into the trap of giving your dog raw proteins such as chicken, steak, and fish. The problem is that these raw meats can contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. If you want to give your these types of proteins, make sure you cook it first (and remember no seasoning!)
This is not an exhaustive list, but just highlights some of the more common foods. Please check out. the references for additional information!
References:
https://images.akc.org/pdf/public_education/dangerous_products.pdf
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/good-dog-bad-food-foods-people-are-bad-your-dog
