Foods your dog shouldn’t eat

It’s tempting to share your food with your pup, especially when they’re looking at you with those irresistible eyes. After all, sharing is caring, right?

Not when it comes to sharing things that could be potentially harmful to dogs. Of course, there are situations where you can share a bite or two without harm but there are some foods that are off-limits.
 

11 foods that are dangerous for your dog

Chocolate

Most people have probably heard that chocolate is a big no-no for dogs. Theobromine is the toxic part of chocolate for dogs and can be found in all types of chocolate but especially dark and baking chocolate.
 

Alcohol

Foods and drinks that contain alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, poor coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death. You should never give alcohol to a pet. If you suspect your pet has ingested alcohol, contact your veterinarian immediately.
 

Salty foods

Excessive salt intake for dogs can cause a condition called sodium ion poisoning and can cause increased thirst, urination, vomiting, diarrhea, elevated body temperature among others. Keep salt to a minimum if you’re sharing.
 

Bacon and fatty meat

Because bacon is so salty, it holds many of the same risks that excessive salt has. Also, high fat foods can cause pancreatitis in dogs. It can also cause your dog to drink too much water, causing bloat, which can be fatal. Stick to leaner choices for your dog.
 

Dairy products like milk, ice cream, and cheese

It may be common to slip your dog a pill in a piece of cheese but dog’s digestive systems aren’t really built to process milk products. Some dogs handle dairy better than others but overall, it’s best to avoid them. More ice cream for you!
 

Garlic and onions

In addition to bad breath, garlic and onions can actually destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia if they’re consumed in high quantities. A small amount probably won’t do much harm but a large amount or regular small amounts can lead to poisoning.
 

Candy, gum and baked treats

The real culprit here when it comes to these sweet treats is an artificial sweetener called xylitol. It causes an insulin surge that can lead to a drop in blood sugar and liver failure. You’re not likely to share these things with your dog, but it’s important to remember to keep these things put away and out of reach so your dog doesn’t consume them when you’re not looking.  
 

Sugary foods

An excessive amount of sugar isn’t good for us or our dogs. Actually, the problems humans face when we consume too much sugar is similar to dogs, like obesity, dental issues, and diabetes.

Grapes and raisins

This one is tricky because one or two probably isn’t going to cause very much harm. However, grapes and raisins are known to cause renal failure in dogs. The kidneys could start to shut down, causing vomiting and lethargy and could even be fatal. Keep grapes and raisins out of reach.  
 

Nuts

Nuts, including almonds, pecans and walnuts contain high amounts of oils and fats that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and potentially pancreatitis in pets. Other nuts, such as macadamia nuts, can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs.
 

Avocado

The harmful substance in avocados is called persin. It’s found in the leaves, seeds, bark and fruit however, dogs are fairly resistant to persin so it would take a lot to make them sick. The real danger with avocados is that the seeds, stems or pits could cause choking or gastrointestinal blockages.

Food for thought

If your dog accidentally ingests anything harmful, don’t take any chances. Call your vet immediately.