We love them for their playfulness and warmth, but sometimes dogs and their appetites can stir up trouble. Whether you’re hard at work in the kitchen or lounging in the yard, it’s not always possible to have eyes on what your dog gets him- or herself into. With knowledge of the worst things to feed a dog, you might want to puppy-proof the layout of your pantry to keep your dog from harm. Read on to learn more about these 10 foods that are toxic for dogs so that you’ll be prepared to do what’s best for your pet.
10 Worst Things to Feed a Dog
- Onions, leeks, and garlic: Foods that belong to the Allium species of plants are harmful to red blood cells in pets. These vegetables are more dangerous when uncooked, so pet owners should take measures to keep cooking ingredients out of paw’s reach. Ingestion of these vegetables in large amounts could cause anemia in dogs, as well as muscles weakness, respiratory issues, and nausea.
- Grapes and raisins are known to cause rapid kidney failure in pets. Some dogs are immune to the toxic effects of grapes on canines, but the risk is far too great to take a chance. If you think your dog has eaten grapes, contact a vet and be on the lookout for signs of lethargy, stomach pain, lack of appetite, inability to urinate, and depression.
- Milk and dairy products: Many dogs are lactose intolerant, and will experience digestive issues and symptoms of food allergies as a result of ingesting dairy. In addition to itchy skin conditions, dogs can also experience vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems that may lead to hospitalization.
- Macadamia nuts: Combinations of nuts and chocolate can be some of the worst things to feed a dog. It only takes a handful of macadamia nuts to cause grave health concerns for your pet. These kinds of snacks contain caffeine, theobromine, methylxanthines, and other compounds that can overstimulate the nervous system of your pet. Signs of macadamia nut ingestion in dogs include: tremors, nausea, high temperature, and weakness in back legs.
- Pits of stone fruits: Much like avocados, fruits such as peaches, plums, and apricots contain choking hazards in the form of semi-large pits. Ingestion of these fruits can raise serious health and dental risks for your pup. A high volume of pits can even lead to cyanide poisoning and death, so be extra careful when handling or serving these fruits in large quantities.
- Persimmons are a rare seasonal find in the United States, and are often used in summer recipes. Although this garnish may be tasty and nutritionally valuable to humans, persimmons are one of the worst foods for a dog to eat. The fruit contains a compound that creates a gluey chemical reaction in your dog’s stomach that will eventually block the intestines.
- Salt: Even if they are your favorite movie buddy, keep salty snacks away from your pup. Ingestion of too much salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning in dogs, marked by dehydration, tremors, vomiting, high body temperature. In some cases, feeding salt to dogs can even result in death.
- Bacon: The smell of Sunday breakfast may be the highlight of your dog’s week. However, high fat foods with little other nutritional value can pose a serious health threat to your dog. Bacon and other foods with high oil and fat content can cause pancreatitis in dogs.
- Xylitol: A stray piece of candy on the floor can raise dire health risks if found by your pup. Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in most low-calorie varieties of gum and candy. Though it seems harmless and, at times, affectionate to offer gum or candy to a pet, this is one of the worst things to feed a dog. Ingestion of xylitol can lead to insulin spikes, low blood sugar, liver failure, and death. Too much sugar can also cause painful dental issues that are expensive to fix.
- Refined grains contain oil, sugar, and other compounds that can be harmful to dogs. Excess ingestion of commercial products such as white bread, rice, pasta, and cornmeal can cause pancreatitis, seizures, and hypothermia in dogs. Furthermore, refined grains are some of the worst things to feed an overweight dog, as carbs add unhealthy calories to their diet.
Eliminate toxic foods from your dog’s diet:
In front of every healthy pup is a food bowl with the right balance of nutrients. AvoDerm Natural® Pet Food offers a wide variety of grain-free dog food for pets with food sensitivities. Our Revolving Menu® contains a variety of meals with real taste and high nutritional value. Swap out that stray slice of bacon for one of our authentic meat recipes, and your dog will be just as pleased.
