The number of things that a dog will ingest far outweigh the number of things that will not ingest.
As dog owners we have to educate ourselves on certain foods that may be good for us but not for them. May people may not realize that common foods that we eat daily can be deadly for our canine friends.
Many of us are guilty of slipping Fido a bit of food from the dinner table without knowing the potential harm.
The best way to avoid a potentially dangerous situation with your dog is to educate yourself on the common household items that can be harmful to your pet. The list below describes the 15 most common foods to avoid giving to your pooch.
1) BONES
One of the most common treats that we give to our dogs are bones. As much as your dog may enjoy them they are potentially dangerous treats. Throughout the evolution of becoming domesticated animals dogs have adapted to being omnivores rather than carnivores. Bones can easily splinter and get lodged into the stomach or digestive tract. This can cause serious health issues that can lead to death. There is no safe animal bone to give to your dog as a snack; however, there are imitation bones or milk bones that you can purchase without any worry.
2) CHOCOLATE
Most people are familiar with the fact that chocolate can be deadly to dogs. What most of those people are unaware of is that this relates mostly to darker chocolates and pure chocolates not the kind that we buy over the counter in candies. Bakers chocolate, gourmet chocolate and most dark chocolates are deadly to our pooches. There are other sources of chocolate to beware of as well, such as espresso beans covered in chocolate, vitamins, and coffees containing chocolate. It is especially deadly in smaller dogs as it can cause an elevated heart rate and hypertension leading to sudden death.
3) CANDY AND GUM CONTAINING XYLITOL
Xylitol is a sugar-free substance used a sweetener commonly found in many substances, including gum, snacks, toothpaste, and even vitamins. It is very important to keep any food or items containing xylitol out of the reach of your family pet. Once a dog ingests even a small amount it can lower the pooch’s blood sugar to hypoglycemic levels within just a few minutes. Hypoglycemia can lead to coma and eventually death if not treated immediately. Larger amounts can lead to liver failure and death. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to predict what amount of xylitol can bring on symptoms as the amount can vary based on the product.
4) AVOCADOS
Even if you are a lover of guacamole it’s not a good idea to give it to your dog as a treat. Avocados contain a toxic substance called Persin. It may not be immediately deadly but it can lead to reactions in dogs such as extreme vomiting, upset stomach or a blockage of the intestinal tract, preventing the elimination of waste. One of the primary dangers is the dog eating the very large seed and it getting stuck in the throat or stomach of the dog.
5) APPLE SEEDS
Apples are a great snack for dogs due to being sweet, healthy and loaded with vitamins; however, apple seeds can cause serious problems in dogs. The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides that cause stomach issues. There are ways to feed your dog apples without the danger of ingesting seeds. You can core and slice the apples, which is handy for freezing as well. You can also make applesauce and serve it as a topping over dog food, to add nutrients. Apples are great for your dog as long as you serve them with no seeds.