Six Things You Should Never Feed Your Dog

If you're like us, you love your pooch and want the best for them. One of the best ways to do that is by providing a healthy, canine-centric diet of dog foods that are appropriately geared towards the sensitivities of a dog's stomach. As much as you might like letting your canine pal lick your plate as an after-dinner treat, remember that people foods often means toxic foods. In order to ensure that your pet doesn't develop an upset stomach –or worse, severe health issues– stick to pet foods made specifically for dogs. With that in mind, we're going to talk about six of the worst people foods that you can feed to your canine companion, along with the health risks that these particular foods pose.

Macadamia Nuts

Let's begin our discussion with macadamia nuts. Like any other nut, macadamias grow naturally, so they've got to be safe for canine consumption unlike ultra-processed people food, right? Unfortunately, macadamia nuts are among the most toxic foods that a dog can ingest.

Although the science isn't clear as to why these nuts in particular are so hard on a dog's stomach, one thing is clear: avoid feeding them to your dog at all costs. Ingesting macadamia nuts can cause problems with the dogs nervous system which manifest as depression, compulsive overeating, vomiting, diarrhea, and other pronounced health problems.

Avocados

Boy oh boy, do people ever love their avocados! From a perfectly balanced breakfast side dish to creamy guacamole, avocados are enjoying their moment in the spotlight. While it may be tempting to share with your pooch, resist the urge. Avocados are in no way healthy for a dog's digestive system.

Avocados contain a substance known as persin which is harmful to a dog's health. Persin causes usual symptoms such as vomiting and loose stool, but it also has other effects, some which are life-threatening. For starters, it can cause pancreatitis. Your pooch may have trouble with urination (and elimination in general) or the pendulum might swing the other way with painful blockages and bloat. Avocados may also produce myocardial issues resulting in trouble breathing and increased heart rate, not to mention the potential choking hazard from the fruit's center. Avoid feeding your fuzzy friend avocados at all costs.

Dark Chocolate

Chocolate is perhaps the most infamous type of toxic food that is synonymous with dogs. Even if you've never owned a pet, you've probably heard about the ill effects that chocolate causes in canines.

While it should be noted that ingesting chocolate is rarely fatal, it can make a pooch violently ill due to a substance called theobromine. The darker the chocolate is, the more theobromine it will contain, in turn making it worse for the animal's health and safety. Dark chocolate will cause vomiting, general discomfort, radically increased heart rate and excessive thirst.

Dairy

Dark chocolate may be awful for your pooch, but milk chocolate is no better. In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, you may also find that your dog is lactose intolerant, further exacerbating their upset stomach. In fact, dairy in general is bad for your canine.

A dog's stomach does not contain the same enzymes that a human's does. For that reason, dogs cannot break down dairy products. Everything from ice cream to a tiny piece of baker's chocolate can send your four-pawed pal into fits.

Not only can milk-based products cause an upset stomach, but they are also high in fat, contributing to potential obesity in dogs that are given lactose and dairy.

Chives and Leeks

Like macadamia nuts at the top of our list, chives are a surprising entry. Aromatic herbs and vegetables, such as chives, leeks, and even garlic are all very harmful to your dog's health because they contain a substance known as allium. This chemical has been found to cause anemia as it actively works to disrupt the animal's red blood cells. In turn, your pooch may experience weakness, lethargy, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, and problems with their urination. You should avoid giving your dog chives and other herbs at all costs.

Notable Runner Ups

The items above in no way form a complete list of toxic foods for canine consumption. Some notable runner-ups include:

• Bacon
• Grapes
• Coffee
• Alcohol
• Artificial sweeteners
• Raw Dough

Artificial sweeteners contain substances like xylitol and methylxanthines which cause a host of health issues in animals. And while it goes without saying that you should never feed your dog alcohol, if they do manage to steal a drink, understand that they can get alcohol poisoning very easily.

To learn more about doggy diets, or your furry friend in general, please visit Animals Matter, Inc.

FAQs

What foods are absolutely toxic to dogs?

Foods such as dark chocolate, chives, dairy, avocados, macadamia nuts, and grapes are all extremely toxic to dogs. Avoid these foods at all costs.

Is cheese bad for dogs?

Dogs lack key enzymes that humans have, making them lactose intolerant. Avoid dairy products in general when crafting your dog's menu.

Can dogs eat ice cream?

Dogs have trouble digesting dairy-based products and are often lactose intolerant. It might be tempting to let them lick the ice cream scoop, but please refrain for their sake!