A few dog owners are aware of the right kind of food that they must provide their pets with. There are many food items which are good for us but can harm dogs very badly.
Often, we have this misconception regarding animals, that they can feed on just anything. Whatever is edible for us, we take it for granted that it would be the same for our pets as well. However, contrary to this belief, food which is suitable for us and other animals as well, may be bad for dogs. Canines have a different metabolism altogether and so, when they are fed just about anything, they show various symptoms, which range from being mild to severe.
Food Your Dog Should Not Eat
Alcohol
The first among the list of bad food items for canines is alcohol. Though, it is not likely that dog owners might give a treat of alcohol to their pets, there are some who have a knack for experimenting. For them, it is wise to know that alcohol can cause injury, disorientation, sickness, and urination problems in the animals. In severe cases, it may also lead to coma and sometimes, even death.
Bones
Sure they love it! But what most people fail to understand is the fact, that cooked bones can turn out to be very hazardous. Bones, when they are cooked, become brittle and so, they get splintered easily when broken. The splinters have sharp edges which may get stuck in the teeth, caught in the throat, or may puncture the stomach lining or intestinal tract. So, cut down the habit of feeding your pet with bones and especially the bones of chicken, turkey, ham, pork, fish, and veal.
Onions
Dehydrated onions, powdered onions, raw onions, cooked onions, and all other forms should be excluded from its diet. These vegetables tend to destroy your pet’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Consumption of onions in large amounts or regular consumption even in small amounts may lead to onion poisoning. Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, eating disorders, dullness, and breathlessness.
Coffee
Coffee and other beverages containing caffeine can put its life in a critical situation. If you have fed it with such kinds of food items, then restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding are the symptoms you should expect to notice.
Chocolates
Chocolates may do good to us, but they are a complete no-no for canines. Theobromine is the main culprit which is to be blamed for this. It is found in all kinds of chocolates, and cocoa powder, and cooking chocolate contains theobromine which is 10 times more than that in milk chocolates. Dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are considered to be the most dangerous ones. Mere licking a chocolate icing from a cake may make the dog vomit, have diarrhea, and become abnormally thirsty. In some cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death may also be the possible outcomes.
Salt
Another class of food items that are considered bad for your pet are those that contain salts. There have been incidents when some dogs, after having salty foods, gulped too much of water and suffered bloating. It’s a life-threatening condition wherein, the stomach fills up with gas and twists and in the absence of any immediate treatment, it might lead to a painful death. Eating too much of salt may also lead to sodium ion poisoning.
Tomatoes
These vegetables are rich in atropine, which tend to cause dilated pupils, tremors, and irregular heartbeat. Leaves and stems of this plant harbor the highest concentration of atropine, followed by green tomatoes and the ripe ones.
Eggs
Eggs are beneficial for canines, as long as they are cooked. Feeding raw eggs increases the risk of your pet getting infected by bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. Raw eggs contain certain enzymes which interfere with the animal’s body to absorb B vitamin. So, this may lead to severe skin problems.
Other Types of Food Items You Should Avoid
Apart from the ones which have been cited above, here are some more items that you must keep your dog away from:
- Cat food
- Tobacco products
- String
- Sugary foods
- Yeast dough
- Artificial sweetener
- Raw fish
- Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves
- Persimmons, peaches, and plums
- Candy and gum
- Macadamia nuts
- Milk and other dairy products
- Grapes and raisins
- Avocado
- Over the counter medicines
To conclude, food, as long as it is given in limited portions and is cooked, pure, and non fatty or not heavily seasoned, poses no threat to your pet’s health.
