List Of Common Food Items That Are Bad For Your Dog

Unsafe Human Foods For Dogs 

A few foods & beverages that are edible for humans can present genuine hazard for dogs. In a general perspective, most of these food items may cause just minor stomach issues, some are potentially serious… might even lead to death!

Most of feed these items as leftovers or out of pure love of dog when he/she looks at you with those eyes

1. Sugar

Any. I mean any food containing sugar needs to be fully avoided. Sugar = poison for dogs.  Always heck the hidden ingredients that you casually feed your furry kid. In moden kitchens and urban lifestyle sugar and its sweetening alternatives like corn syrup, fructose and glucose are common. Excessive sugar can lead to debilitating diabetes. 

2. Liver

Did you know Vitamin A is bad news for dogs. Liver contains abundance of Vit A which is actually harmful to your dog. 

3. Chocolate & Cocoa

Key ingredients in chocolate are methylxanthines, theobromine, and caffeine. Therefore, chocolate accelerates gut rate. This means, it makes the little fellow eat more and hence put on weight which is actually the bad news. It also affects the nervous system. 

Ingredients like methylxanthines could cause vomiting and diarrhoea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal cardiac rhythm, tremors, seizures, and even death.

Theobromine and caffeine in chocolate is also harmful like above symptoms. 

Usually, kids and young adults who are not aware of this harm give to show the affection by sharing a piece of chocolate. Be watchful.

3. Fat Trimmings

I see a lot of people using fat trimmings and lard given raw or cooked. Both are highly avoidable. This can cause pancreatitis in both dogs and cats. Be watchful of thousands of food brands that have cropped up which use this as an easy way to fortify the processed food.

4. Milk & Dairy Products

Contrary to myths and stories, most dogs or even cats for that matter have low capacity in form of lactase that actually processes lactose in dairy. It forms gas and you might be lucky to enjoy some highly pungent dog farts! In some cases, will end up in diarrhoea. A small quantity is fine. Like a piece of panner or few spoons of milk or if the dog licked up some spilled milk.

Most kids feed the milk to the dog if unsupervised!

5. Raw Meat

In reality we are not against raw meat. Canines are genetically disposed to eating raw meat in their natural habitat. It is the quality of that raw meat that is often an issue in urbanised jungle. 

In fact, I know of a neighbourhood dog which is now 18+ years which is fed on raw meat.

Modern day meat or fish is stored and frozen. Prawns are cultivated in farms that are fed with various chemicals and antibiotics. Ideally, avoid shrimps or prawns. Fish can contain a parasite that causes “fish disease” or “salmon poisoning disease (SPD).”

I prefer raw beef pieces. In India, beef is not yet mass produced and hence, it is largely slaughtered the old fashioned way. 

Vomiting and fever are symptomatic but the challenge is when this contamination leads to enlarged lymph nodes. 

Don’t get me wrong, raw meat is good. Just make sure the source and freshness.

6. Apple Seeds & Pith

Apple seeds contain a natural chemical (amygdalin) that releases cyanide when digested. Its poisonous for dogs. Once the chewed seeds enter the bloodstream, it could be dangerous. 

7. Avocado

Avocados contain persin, which may cause diarrhoea, vomiting, and heart congestion. The dangerous a part of an avocado is the pit because it's a choking hazard and it's filled with persin. Like I always say small amounts is fine but anything more than usual is dangerous.

8. Candy, Chewing Gum, Toothpaste & Mouthwash

All modern mouth freshners and gum and mint contain Xylitol. This might cause vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and liver failure.

Worst still Xylitol can release insulin and cause liver failure. If you dog eats the pack my mistake, the rise in insulin will lead to hypoglycaemia (lowered sugar levels). 

9. Cat Food

While it might seem the same, cat food is not same as dog food. Cat food is concentrated protein and not ideal for dogs. It might lead to indigestion, obesity, and pancreatitis.

10. Garlic

Small amounts of garlic is good for dogs for flea treatment. Garlic and onion kills RBC count in dogs which causes anaemia. Observe if your dog is showing any signs of  weakness, vomiting, and troubles breathing

11. Citrus

Dogs will not be able to handle acidic content of any citrus fruits or vegetables. It will cause irritation and possibly even central nervous system & depression. A piece of a general fruit is fine, but not as much of citrus fruits.

12. Coconut Water

This was a curve ball, I didn’t know myself. My dog loves flesh of the coconut. These are harmful for your dog It will cause indigestion, loose stools, or diarrhoea. The coconut water is potassium rich and will harm the nervous system. 

13. Coffee, Tea & Other Caffeine

Coffee is rich in Caffeine. Sometimes I wish humans have same effect! You dog will get hyperactive, restless, vomiting, elevated pulse, tremors, seizures, and death.

14. Cooked Bones

While there is no harmful chemical, the cooked bones end up as splinters in the gut. However, country chicken are not that severe. 

15. Grapes, Raisins & Currants

Grapes and raisins are a big no no. I mean extremely toxic for your dog. It will lead to vomiting followed weakness and feeling low. 

16. Human Vitamins

If you think you are having easy access to vitamins and give human pills, it cant be more dangerous. The dosage for humans is calculated on average weight. It is almost nuking the dog with vitamins. 

17. Macadamia Nuts & others

Macadamia nuts are very lethal even in small quantity. You dog could show muscular spasms, vomiting and weak hind legs. Just avoid any nuts.

18. Mushrooms

Like nuts, mushrooms can prove to be fatal for your dog. They weaken the liver and you if your dog is showing symtoms like vomiting, Diarrhoea, Salivation, Ataxia (staggering gait), Coma, Seizures, Liver failure, Jaundice, Abdominal pain and eventually even Death. Just rush to your vet.

19. Onions & Chives

Like garlic, onions are potentially the most dangerous foods for your dog. It is bad in all forms. The sulfoxides and disulphides can damage blood cells. 

20. Salt & Salty Foods

This is part of the White Trio – Sugar, flour and salt. It alters the delicate balance of your pet. Remember osmosis in 10^th grade. It dehydrates them and can lead to death. If your dog is drinking excessive amount of water, it is possible he had salty food.

If I have forgotten any food item that is potentially harmful for dogs, please put it down in the comments section.

Editor

Pebloo