It’s tempting to share your favorite snacks with your canine companion, especially when they give you those irresistible puppy-dog eyes. However, it’s crucial to know that many human foods, while safe for us, can be toxic and harmful to dogs. Before you share, ask yourself, “What Human Foods Are Harmful To Dogs?” to ensure your pet’s safety.
Here’s a breakdown of common human foods that you should never feed your dog:
Foods Containing Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages of any kind are dangerous for dogs. Alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma, and even death.
Fruits with Pits and Seeds:
- Apple Seeds: These contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs.
- Apricot Pits & Cherry Pits: Similar to apple seeds, these also contain cyanide.
- Avocados: Avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
- Grapes & Raisins: These fruits can cause kidney failure in dogs. The exact toxic substance is unknown, but it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Candy and Sweets:
- Chocolate: This is a well-known toxin for dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, seizures, and death. Dark chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate.
- Xylitol: This artificial sweetener, often found in sugar-free gum and candies, is extremely toxic to dogs. It can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, leading to seizures, liver failure, and death.
- Gum: Aside from potentially containing Xylitol, gum can also cause intestinal blockages if swallowed.
Foods from the Allium Family:
- Chives, Garlic, Onions, Onion Powder, & Onion Flakes: These contain compounds that can damage red blood cells in dogs, leading to anemia. Garlic is generally considered more toxic than onions.
Coffee and Tea: Because they contain caffeine, coffee (grounds, beans, and chocolate-covered espresso beans) and tea are dangerous for dogs. Caffeine can be fatal to dogs.
Nuts:
- Macadamia Nuts: These nuts can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, and hyperthermia in dogs.
- Walnuts: Some walnuts can contain toxins that are harmful to dogs.
Other Harmful Foods:
- Hops: Hops, used in home beer brewing, can cause malignant hyperthermia in dogs.
- Moldy Foods: Mold can produce toxins that are poisonous to dogs.
- Mushroom Plants: Certain types of mushrooms are highly toxic and can cause liver failure and death.
- Mustard Seeds: These can cause gastrointestinal irritation in dogs.
- Peach Pits: Peach pits contain cyanide and can also cause intestinal blockages.
- Potato Leaves and Stems (Green Parts) & Tomato Leaves and Stems (Green Parts): These green parts contain solanine, which is toxic to dogs.
- Rhubarb Leaves: These contain oxalic acid, which can cause kidney failure.
- Salt: Excessive salt intake can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death in dogs.
- Yeast Dough: Raw yeast dough can expand in the stomach, causing pain and potentially rupturing the stomach. The yeast also produces alcohol, which, as mentioned above, is toxic to dogs.
Important Note: This list is not exhaustive. Always err on the side of caution and consult your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before feeding your dog any food that is not specifically intended for them. If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic food, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.
