8 Human Foods Not to Feed Your Dog
8 Human Foods Not to Feed Your Dog
Have you ever been eating, and then your dog gives you the puppy-dog-eyes? They want a little nibble, but then you ask yourself, “Wait, can dogs eat this?”
This happens all the time when pet owners want to give their pups a bite of food, but they aren’t sure if what they’re eating is safe for dogs to eat.
We all give-in to the puppy-dog-eyes and share food with our dogs sometimes, but let’s make sure that the foods we share with them aren’t harmful. Here’s your guide for 10 common human foods your dog shouldn’t eat:
- Chocolate and Caffeine
Most pet owners know that dogs should never eat chocolate, but why? The substances that are so harmful in chocolate are called methylxanthine. These traces are found in cacao seeds, which are used to make coffee and some types of sodas.
Methylxanthines can cause vomiting, tremors, extreme thirst, and other problems. In some cases, death may occur, which is why it’s imperative that your pup never ingests chocolate, coffee, or soda.
Note: the darker/richer the chocolate, the more toxic it is for a dog. Baking chocolate is particularly dangerous because it has high doses of methylxanthines.
- Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins are known to cause kidney failure in dogs. It’s currently unknown what the harmful substance is in these fruits.
- Nuts
Nuts have a lot of oil and fat. This can cause diarrhea and pancreatic pain as well as vomiting.
- Citrus
The citrus acid in several fruits might cause an upset stomach and vomiting. Citrus doesn’t sit well in a dog’s stomach, so small amounts might not do much damage. However, it’s best to keep them away from citrusy fruits so that the acid doesn’t cause stomach troubles.
- Onions
Much like citrus, onions can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Dogs can’t digest this vegetable, and too much of it can lead to red blood cell damage.
- Salt
You don’t have to keep your dog away from every food that has some salt in it, but too much salt can be harmful as well as foods with high salt content.
Potato chips and popcorn are two common foods that we might be tempted to share with our pups, but we encourage you not to feed your dog these foods. One or two bites, and that’s enough salt for them!
When dogs ingest too much salt, they might vomit, have diarrhea, or feel depressed. Too much salt can also cause sodium ion poisoning.
- Xylitol
This ingredient is used in many sweet foods. Candy, gum, and baked goods often have this ingredient in them as a sweetener. Xylitol can also cause liver failure and seizures.
- Raw/ Undercooked Meat and Eggs
Just like humans, dogs can get salmonella and E. coli. They are subject to the same bacteria poisoning that we are. Raw eggs can cause a decrease in biotin levels, causing skin irritation and coat problems.
Sharing is Good—Healthy is Great!
It’s perfectly normal to share a bite of food with your dog, but we must be cautious of what we share. In general, it’s best to feed your dog solely dog food because it’s designed for their stomachs and digestive systems. But we all know that the puppy-dog-eyes win us over sometimes!
It’s okay to give your pup a little nibble here and there, but before you do, make sure you’re not giving them any foods on this list or foods that contain harmful ingredients.
Keep those pups safe and watch what you share with them!
- Kirsten Starling