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Sharing our food with our pets is something many of us, if not all, have done. Who hasn’t slipped the dog something to eat under the table? Or given them the scraps from our dinner plates? But did you know that there’s a lot of human foods dogs can’t eat?
Many of our foods, no matter how delicious, can be dangerous to a dog’s body and cause health problems.
Don’t poison your dog by mistake. See below list of human foods dogs can’t eat.
List of human foods dogs can’t eat
1. Alcohol
No sharing your beer or gin and tonic with your dog. Alcohol is toxic to dogs. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, tremors and depression of the central nervous system. In worst cases, it can also cause death.
2. Avocado
Avocados can cause tummy pains including vomiting and diarrhea. These fruits contain a substance called persin which is highly toxic in most animals, including dogs.
3. Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most commonly known human foods dogs can’t eat. It contains a stimulant diuretic called theobromine. This affects the dog’s central nervous system and cardio vascular.
If you believe your dog has eaten chocolate, you must seek veterinary advice immediately. Ingestion of chocolate can cause death. Cooking chocolate contains the most theobromine followed by dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate.
Dogs love the taste of chocolate. So make sure to take all precautions and ensure that you do not leave chocolate lying around.
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, hyperactivity muscle tremors, increased urination and increased heart rate.
4. Coffee and tea
Caffeine affects the central nervous system and the heart. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning can include vomiting, a racing heart and in severe cases, death.
5. Fat trimmings from ham and other meats
Never give your dog fat trimmings from meat, especially from ham. High fat consumption could lead to a bout of pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis can range in severity from mild to life threatening and is an extremely painful condition. Turkey skin is also high in fat content. And because of this, vets see an increase in pancreatitis cases over Thanksgiving and Christmas.
6. Grapes, raisins and sultanas
Fruits like grapes and its dried variety, including raisins and sultanas, can cause kidney damage to dogs. And the early signs include repeated vomiting and hyperactivity.
Furthermore, pets who have ingested these fruits in large quantities have reportedly passed away.
7. Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts have been known to cause tremors and muscle weakness in dogs.
8. Milk and dairy products
Other types of human foods dogs can’t eat include milk and any dairy product.
It has been reported that as many as 50% of dogs are lactose intolerant. Many dogs’ digestive systems do not handle milk or dairy products well. And the usual symptom is severe diarrhea.
9. Onion and garlic
Onions and garlic contain a substance called thiosulphate. And when ingested, dogs can develop Haemolytic Anaemia, which causes destruction of the red blood cells.
10. Potatoes and potato sprouts
Potatoes contain solanine glycosides. And they can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, nervous system stimulation, depression, trembling, paralysis and cardiac arrest.
11. Salty food
Like how humans should avoid food which are too salty, you should also avoid giving the same to your dog.
Conclusion
Now that you’re aware of the human foods dogs can’t eat, you always have to be careful what you feed your pet.
While dogs can eat some human foods, feeding in moderation if at all, is key. If unsure, it’s always best to do your research or consult your vet before feeding your pet.
