6 Foods You Should NEVER Feed Your Dog
“Sorry bud, this isn’t good for you...”
We know how hard it can be to not share your food with those angel eyes, but it’s for the betterment of their health that you don’t. It’s especially good to stay away from these 6 specific foods that can cause a lot of harm to your precious pup.
Here are 6 foods you should NEVER feed your dog:
1. Chocolate - Yes, chocolate is toxic to dogs (and cats!). While rarely fatal, chocolate ingestion can result in significant illness.Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. Theobromine is the predominant toxin in chocolate and is very similar to caffeine. Both chemicals are also used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine and caffeine as well as people can. This makes them more sensitive to the chemicals’ effects.
What should I do if my dog eats chocolate?
When in doubt, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline to see if a poisonous amount of chocolate was ingested. If a toxic amount is ingested, you should have your dog examined by a veterinarian immediately. The sooner the theobromine is removed from the body, the better your dog's prognosis.
2. Raw Meat, Eggs, and Bones - Raw meat and eggs can often contain bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which can be harmful to both pets and humans. According to the ASPCA, raw eggs also “contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Raw bones can also be very dangerous for domesticated animals, as they can choke on them, and if the bone splinters, it could get stuck in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.
3. Grapes and Raisins - Although experts haven’t nailed down exactly what toxic substance is residing in grapes and raisins, it’s best to avoid giving them to your dog for a few reasons. First, the consumption of grapes and raisins presents a potential health threat to dogs. In addition, Their toxicity to dogs can cause the animal to develop acute kidney injury (the sudden development of kidney failure) with anuria (a lack of urine production).
4. Onions, Garlic, and Chives - In all forms (powdered, raw, cooked etc.), these foods can cause gastrointestinal irritation in pets and could lead to red blood cell damage. While cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if they consume enough of any of these foods.
5. Bacon, Ham, and Preserved Pork - It’s never a good idea to give your dog food that’s unhealthy for us. Bacon is a good example of that, it can cause Pancreatitis, which can be fatal. Bacon, ham, and preserved pork are all rich in fats and salt, which can prove to be too much for your poor pup’s stomach to handle.
6. Nuts - Nuts, including almonds, pecans and walnuts, contain high amounts of oils and fats, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even pancreatitis in pets. According to the ASPCA, macadamias are especially dangerous for pets. They can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia.
ALSO: Watch out for anything containing the artificial sweetener xylitol. It is found in many sugar-free products like gum and candy, as well as some nut butters like peanut butter. Xylitol can cause insulin release, which can lead to liver failure, seizures and brain damage in your pet. Not good… Remember to always read the label before giving anything to your dog.
So, there’s 6 foods you may not have known can be harmful to your dog. If you’re looking for a healthy treat to give to your dog, look no further than our 10 in 1 multivitamin treat. It’s a much better choice than feeding your dog treats that possess no potential health benefits.
A special thanks from the Googipet Family for being proactive in keeping your dog health!
'TIll next time,
Michael | Googipet CoFounder