12 dangerous foods for dogs

Some foods are downright dangerous for your pooch, in fact, there’s a lot of “people food” your dog should never eat. We know it’s hard to resist your dog’s adorably cute begging face, but first take a look at our list of 12 dangerous foods for dogs before you give in to their imploring puppy eyes. Take a look below for 12 of the top most hazardous foods for dogs.

 1.Avocado

 

The culprit is a toxin called persin. While avocado is quite toxic to many other types of animals, it is not expected to cause serious illness in dogs according to the ASPCA. It is possible your pooch may have tummy trouble if he or she eats a considerable amount of the avocado flesh or peel. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, signs to look for include vomiting, diarrhea and lack of stool production. In other animals, namely birds, the effects persin has can be much more dramatic. Interestingly, some commercial pet foods use avocado meal or oil for its nutritional benefit, but its inclusion does not pose health risks. Worth noting, persin can be found in the leaves, seed and bark, so if you grow avocados at home, be sure to keep your pooch away. The Guatemalan variety, a variety that is frequently found at your grocery store, seems to wreak the most havoc.

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https://pixabay.com/en/avocado-cut-diet-food-fresh-fruit-16041/

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Perhaps a greater threat to the health and well-being of your pup is the avocado pit. Swallowing the pit can ultimately lead to a blockage throughout your dog’s internal organs. The blockage can occur in the stomach or in the intestines. According to PetMD, when gastric outflow obstruction occurs, the solids and fluids your dog ingests accumulate in his or her stomach. In the case of small intestinal obstruction, the fluids and solids your dog consumes accumulate near the site of the obstruction in the small intestines. The most common symptoms seen are vomiting, most often after a meal, anorexia, weakness, diarrhea, and weight loss. In either case, this is a serious condition that can often require urgent care from a professional.

So do your pet and your bank account a favor — save your avocados for a delicious salad or sandwich!

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/markhillary/19144065195

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2. Chocolate, candy and gum

 

In the case of chocolate, the substance known as methylxanthine (specifically caffeine and theobromine) is what affects the dog negatively. According to PetMD (How Chocolate Makes Dogs Sick), “Methylxanthines are stimulants that inhibit the activity of the enzyme phosphodiesterase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down the substance cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which regulates a variety of metabolic processes.” Okay, so what does that look like? When low levels are consumed, vomiting, diarrhea and hyper-excitability may result. When higher levels are consumed, nervous system dysfunction (e.g., seizures), irregular heart rhythms and even death may result. The rule of thumb is this – the darker the chocolate the more dangerous the chocolate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy

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In the case of candy and gum, xylitol is the dangerous ingredient creating issues for your pet. Xylitol does not affect a human’s blood sugar level, but the same can’t be said for pets. In dogs, xylitol can cause more insulin to circulate through the dog’s body, creating a situation where blood sugar drops. This can cause liver failure. According to WebMD (Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat), early symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, he or she may have seizures. And finally, liver failure can occur within just a few days.

So save your candy, gum and chocolate for your own sweet tooth!

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https://pixabay.com/en/happy-birthday-dog-pet-animal-841481/

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3. Onions and garlic

 

Okay, it’s unlikely you’ll find your dog noshing on raw onions and garlic, but all types and forms are toxic to dogs. According to the ASPCA, exposure to a variety of onion and garlic forms can be trouble. For example, there are dehydrated onions in a host of common pantry favorites. For example, onion soup mixes and garlic powder may put your pet in danger if he or she gets into it. The resulting condition is called toxicosis. So what does that mean? Onions and garlic in all forms can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, ultimately resulting in anemia. The rule of thumb here is the stronger it is, the more toxic it is. For example, garlic would be considered stronger than onions. The symptoms you can watch for if you suspect your dog has ingested either include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.

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https://pixabay.com/en/aromatic-background-bulb-condiment-84691/

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Like onions, large doses of garlic can damage red blood cells and can result in Heinz-body anemia and even death.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/50552220@N00/1296614867/

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4. Alchohol

It should come as no surprise that alcohol is not something to be shared with your pets. Simply put, alcohol has the same effect on a dog’s liver and brain as it has on yours. The difference is that is takes way less to do the damage. Alcohol intoxication in pets, and frankly in humans too, can cause the dog to vomit, can cause the dog to lose his or her coordination, and can cause disorientation. In the most dire cases, comatose states, seizures and finally dying are not uncommon. If your pup shows less extreme signs, monitor him or her closely. Dogs with more severe symptoms should be brought into your local clinic for observation.

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https://pixabay.com/en/drink-alcohol-cup-whiskey-428310/

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Even things as simple as rum cake can give symptoms of alcohol poisoning and ethanol toxicity, even from having absorbed wine or other alcohol through their skin when it’s been spilled on a carpet or couch!

http://molempire.com/2011/10/21/alcoholic-dogs-drinking-beer/
http://molempire.com/2011/10/21/alcoholic-dogs-drinking-beer/

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5. Grapes/raisins

Grapes and raisins and the effect they have on dogs still remains a bit of a mystery. After consuming grapes or raisins, there are dogs who are affected excessively while other dogs are not impacted at all. Why this occurs and exactly what toxin causes the reaction is still being studied according to PetMD. Grape and/or raisin ingestion, even small amounts can be toxic for some dogs, so you have an emergency on your hands if you suspect your dog has eaten them. In short, consuming grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs. Some of the symptoms include vomiting and/or diarrhea – often within a few hours. After 24 hours, your dog’s vomit and/or fecal matter may contain pieces of the grapes or raisins. He or she may experience loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, unusual quietness, abdominal pain, and dehydration. And finally, according to PetMD, Oliguria (passing only a small amount of urine), Anuria (complete cessation of urine), Kidney (renal) failure and death can also occur. If you suspect your dog has ingested grapes or raisins, you will want to induce vomiting immediately.

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https://pixabay.com/en/autumn-grapes-grape-vine-fruit-947501/

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As little as one grape per pound of body weight is enough to cause an issue in some dogs.

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https://pixabay.com/en/labrador-retriever-dog-animal-15194/

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6. Caffeine like coffee or tea

 

Caffeine can be found in many products humans consume regularly. It’s all around us. As such, it’s all around our pets, too. In addition to the usual suspects tea and coffee — including the beans and grounds — caffeine is found in cocoa, chocolate, soda, energy drinks like Red Bull, cold medicines and pain killers. While 1-2 licks of coffee, tea or soda will not cause poisoning in most pets, consuming moderate amounts of coffee grounds, tea bags or 1-2 diet pills can easily result in death in small dogs. The symptoms that occur once a dog has consumed caffeine include hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, elevated heart rate, hypertension (elevated blood pressure), abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), seizures, collapse and death. The Animal Poison Control Center has classified the level of toxicity in caffeine as being “Generally Moderate to Severe/Life Threatening.”

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https://pixabay.com/en/coffee-beans-coffee-beans-cocoa-839169/

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Dogs should never consume coffee. Caffeine is a strong stimulant and it shares a ew traits with drugs like amphetamines, cocaine and even heroin.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/superfantastic/50088733

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7. Dairy products

While the danger to your dog mistakenly consuming dairy products like milk and ice cream may not be as toxic as other accidental consumption, you still may want to do yourself a favor and avoid the clean-up. In many cases, when a dog consumes milk and milk-based products they will experience diarrhea and other digestive issues. No fun for you. And no fun for your dog. And according to WebMD (Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat), the consumption of dairy can also lead to food allergies. These allergies may present themselves in the form of itchiness. Again, no fun for you and no fun for your pet!

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https://pixabay.com/en/bottle-milk-blog-blogging-food-841431/

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Some dogs may have no issues digesting dairy products, but others are left with acute intestinal distress like gas, diarrhea and/or vomiting.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dryfish/450982322
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dryfish/450982322

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8. Macadamia nuts

There is a little bit of debate about the severity of the reaction which can occur in your pup if he or she consumes these nuts. Both the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Poison Control Center classify the risk as being generally mild to moderate. The symptoms that can appear include severe lethargy, increased body temperature, vomiting, tremors, joint stiffness, and inability to walk (as a result of weakness in rear legs). Meanwhile, WebMD cites the risk of fatality from eating macadamia nuts in their article, “Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat.” Further, the article claims, “As few as six raw or roasted macadamias can make them ill.” Any way you look at it, avoid the nuts and keep the cookies for yourself.

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_081111-0452_Macadamia_integrifolia.jpg

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Also, dogs can develop weakness and an inability to walk, specifically in their hind legs.

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9. Fat trimmings and bones

 

There are two reasons not to “give a dog a bone.” Both the fat and the bone can lead to problems for your pooch. First, pancreatitis often follows in the wake of eating fatty meals in dogs. Interestingly, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance’s article “Five Toxic Foods to Avoid Feeding Pets,” certain breeds like miniature schnauzers, Shetland sheepdogs, and Yorkshire terriers appear to be more susceptible to a bout of pancreatitis than other breeds. Worth noting, fat trimmed from meat cooked and uncooked can lead to pancreatitis. The other reason not to give your dog a bone is the bone itself. Many can splinter under pressure, which can lead to obstructions and lacerations in your dog’s digestive system. Ouch!

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https://pixabay.com/en/bone-soup-bones-soup-carrots-leek-625336/

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And please only give your dogs bones that are specifically meant for dogs. Leftover bones splinter easily and aren’t right for your dog.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/vatobob/4217497685

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10. Persimmons peaches, and plums

The primary danger these fruits present to dogs comes from the seeds or the pits. With Persimmons, the seeds can cause inflammation of the intestine in small dogs. With peaches and plums, not only can the pits cause choking and obstruction (remember what we learned about dogs and avocados), but the pit also contain trace amounts of cyanide. A dog would have to have eat a number of peach pits and also derive enough cyanide from the stone for it to have toxic effects, nonetheless it is a risk factor to be aware. Dog owners who grow peach trees or have them on their property should also be aware that cyanide is present in the leaves and stems of peach trees according to Dogster.com.

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https://pixabay.com/en/food-fresh-fruit-isolated-leaf-2279/

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Not only is the pit a dangerous choking hazard, but the cyanide found inside the seed/pit can be deadly to humans and dogs.

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https://www.pexels.com/photo/animal-dog-pet-dangerous-2238/

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11. Yeast dough

There are two distinct dangers associated with your pup consuming raw dough. First…think about it…what a great place for yeast to thrive. In your dog’s stomach, where it is warm and moist. When that dough is swallowed by your dog, the warm, moist environment creates an ideal place for the yeast to grow. That growth ultimately results in a big lump of dough in your dog’s stomach. The dough can push on a dog’s abdomen and cause severe pain. If the expansion is great enough, it can decrease the flow of blood to the wall of your dog’s stomach, which will kill the tissue there. Also, the expanding stomach may press on the large, flat muscle that separates the lungs from the stomach area, and that can lead to difficulty breathing. The other danger occurs when the yeast ferments. Alcohol is released and that can lead to alcohol poisoning. (See dangers associated with Alcohol).

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https://pixabay.com/en/dough-rolling-pin-pizza-bread-702962/

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This can lead to severe pain and a potentially ruptured stomach or intestinal tract. Vomiting, abdominal discomfort and lethargy can also occur.

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12. Your medicine

This should go without saying – don’t give your dog your medication. You have heard it before, keep out of reach from children. More than likely, you consider your dog your child. Extend the same courtesy to them. There are ingredients in many over-the-counter medications we use – think acetaminophen or ibuprofen – that can be potentially deadly to your dog. Be safe. Talk to your vet before administering any medication to your precious pup.

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It is extremely important to seek instructions and right dosage from your vet before you give you dog any of your medication.

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