Are You Feeding Your Dogs Dangerous and Toxic Foods?

Dogs are often cunning. It can be difficult to refuse their adorable looks and endearing eyes, but refusing to share your favorite foods and saying NO is sometimes the best option.

Fur parents frequently love sharing their food with their pets, but you should always consider whether the food is good for them to consume. While some treats and foods are acceptable, many of them have potential risks. For dogs, some foods are extremely poisonous.

Learn which human foods are safe for your dogs to eat and which ones can make them sick as you read on.

Top 6 Foods You Should Never Give Your Dog

Never give your dog any of the following foods, or exercise extreme caution.

1. Chocolate

Caffeine and theobromine, two stimulants found in chocolate, can impact your dog's metabolism.

Depending on how much your dog eats, chocolate poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures, though it is rarely fatal. The darker the chocolate, the higher the risk to your dog.

2. Garlic and Onions

Dogs may get hemolytic anemia after eating garlic, onions, and other allium family members. These plants have compounds called disulfides and thiosulphates that harm your dog's red blood cells, causing pale gums, a rapid heartbeat, and breathing difficulties.

N-propyl disulfide specifically clings to and destroys the oxygen molecules in your dog's blood, making it difficult for their red blood cells to deliver oxygen effectively.

3. Xylitol

Xylitol is particularly harmful to dogs. Because xylitol is mistaken for actual sugar by your dog's pancreas, insulin is released to aid in the removal of the sugar from the body. Since there is no actual sugar to eliminate, the insulin weakens your dog by removing sugar from their system. Even a small amount can cause your dog's blood sugar levels to drop quickly, which can cause hypoglycemia, liver failure, and even death.

4. Avocado

Avocados are another high-fat item. Each and every component of an avocado, including the leaves, seeds, and tree bark, contains persin, a naturally occurring antifungal substance. If overconsumed by your dog, your dog may experience digestive problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Avocados may also cause pancreatitis and weight gain.

5. Grapes and Raisins

Grapes contain tannins, flavonoids, and monosaccharides that dogs cannot metabolize. And while the precise chemical that makes grapes and raisins poisonous to dogs is yet unknown, they have been connected to canine kidney damage.

6. Macadamia Nuts

The specific toxin in macadamia nuts is unclear, just like in grapes, however, consuming even a small amount can cause macadamia nut poisoning. Weakness, sluggishness, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever are typical symptoms.

In extreme circumstances, your dog can lose their ability to walk and tremble constantly.

REMEMBER:

This is not a complete list of all the foods that are safe or unsafe for your dog.

While dogs can eat some human foods, always give them sparingly, if at all. Too many treats from the table can throw off your dog’s diet, and it’s always safer to resist the urge and keep the people food for humans.

Now, let’s go to the FUN part! What foods are good for dogs?

Top 6 Healthiest Foods For Your Dog

In addition to being safe for your dog to consume, several human foods also include vitamins and nutrients that are good for your pet.

Vitamins and minerals that dogs need for good health are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. Some plant-based diets also provide protein and good carbohydrates. Dogs must eat fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) through their diet because they are unable to manufacture them on their own.

1. Carrots

Your dog will love carrots as a low-calorie snack or training reward. They are a tasty snack because of their crunchy texture and are a good source of vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and other healthy vitamins and minerals.

Additionally, you can freeze carrots to make a homemade chew toy that's entertaining, good for your dog's teeth, and calming for teething puppies.

2. Peanut Butter

For many dogs, peanut butter is a fantastic, high-value treat. Due to its sticky nature, it is perfect for spreading inside food puzzle toys or on lick mats for added challenge. It can also be a wonderful source of protein and beneficial fats when consumed in moderation.

Finding low sodium peanut butter free of xylitol or other artificial sweeteners is essential. Your dog may experience a sudden drop in blood sugar if you give them xylitol.

3. Proteins

Your dog's diet can include a variety of excellent proteins, such as chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, and many kinds of seafood.

Having a wide variety of alternatives is beneficial because some dogs have allergies to particular proteins. But make sure to always consult your vet before introducing new meals to your dog.

If you do feed your dog a protein, ensure the food is always prepared without the use of oil, fat, or seasonings, and that any bones, skin, and fat have been removed.

4. Pumpkin

Since pumpkin is so full of vital nutrients and is so good for your dog's health, it is regarded as a superfood.

Along with important minerals like potassium and iron, pumpkin also contains the vitamins A, C, and E. But what makes pumpkin so excellent is how much fiber it contains. The highly soluble fiber is beneficial for your dog's digestion and can aid with constipation and diarrhea problems.

Make careful to use pure pumpkin puree for your dog rather than pumpkin pie filling. This is due to the large amount of sugar in pie filling, which is bad for your dog.

5. Air-Popped Popcorn

You can enjoy a tasty snack of popcorn with your dog, but only if you prepare it properly.

Any popcorn you offer your dog needs to be popped without oil, without salt, and without butter. Additionally, you must get rid of any unpopped kernels because they can cause choking.

6. Cheese

When consumed in moderation, cheese may make a fantastic snack for your dog, and a variety of cheeses make excellent high-value training treats.

Pick cheeses with less fat, such as cottage cheese or mozzarella string cheese.

REMEMBER:

While it may seem like a fantastic idea to share a snack with your dog, even a small bit of a hazardous food can have negative health effects on your dog.

Always ensure that the food's ingredients are suitable for your dog to consume. Before making any dietary modifications for your dog, it's also crucial to consult your veterinarian.

Summary

Dogs may safely and nutritiously eat a variety of human foods. However, since bigger amounts can have negative effects on health, it's normally advised to give dogs these foods in moderation.

Before providing dogs with human foods, consult a veterinarian if your dogs have:

• diabetes
• weight problems
• food intolerances
• liver or renal condition
• further health issues

Any foods or substances that are harmful to dogs must be kept out of their reach.

Before feeding the dog a certain food, if unsure, consult a veterinarian.