Always look up a new food item before feeding it to your pet! Here is a list of people food your dog cannot eat.
One of the most important areas of dog ownership is feeding. Any dog owner desires to feed their pet an excellent diet. Where one can go awry is not knowing what not to feed your dog. Canines can enjoy some fresh fruits and vegetables, but there is also a specific list of items that are strictly off-limits. Keep this list in mind, research any new food you want to feed your dog, and ask Everhart Veterinary Medicine for more details!
Xylitol
Xylitol is a type of sweetener found in many human food products. Diet foods, baked goods, and sweets like candy and ice cream can contain xylitol. It can begin to cause dangerously low blood sugar and liver failure. Should your dog fall sick for any reason, call the vet at once.
Alcohol
A certain amount of alcohol may be okay for most people, but dogs will have an adverse reaction at once. Small dogs are even more at risk of vomiting, diarrhea, breathing issues, and death, but these are risks that alcohol poses to all dogs.
Caffeinated Beverages
Likewise, your pet cannot handle caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, soda, or power drinks. Never let your dog get in reach of these drinks, not even your tea leaves or coffee grounds.
Dairy
You might have seen cute videos of owners buying ice creams for their dogs, but one should ask the vet before giving pets any form of dairy. Dairy can cause them digestive issues or prompt an allergic reaction.
Onions & Garlic
Onions and garlic in all their forms can cause dogs to lose red blood cells, making them anemic. Even one round of onion or garlic-eating can be harmful.
Avocados
Avocados contain a chemical called persin, which is toxic to canines. Persin permeates the entire avocado plant, so leaves and bark are off-limits too.
Raw Potatoes
Your dog should never eat the raw potatoes in your pantry or garden. Cooked potatoes, unsalted, are okay for your pet.
Persimmons, Peaches, & Plums
The problem with persimmon and stone fruits is their seeds. Stone fruit and persimmon seeds should be discarded before giving your pet a fruity treat.
Grapes & Raisins
Grapes and raisins are off-limits to dogs at all costs. These fruits are 100% toxic to them and can cause sluggishness and vomiting.
Raw Meats & Leftover Bones
It might seem perfectly alright to feed your dogs your leftover steak bones from dinner, but you want to avoid this. The fat on the bones can cause pancreatitis, and your dog could choke on the bone. Do not feed your pet raw meat or fish either, as it can contain harmful bacteria.
Chocolate
Chocolate might be healthy for humans, but it is toxic to dogs, no matter what kind of chocolate it is. Dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are the most harmful.
Salt
Dogs cannot take in too much salt. Therefore, if you prepare any special dish for it, do not add salt. For example, boil chicken with no salt or seasoning added.
Human Medicine
Lastly, if your dog is sick, never administer medicine for humans! Dogs are entirely different creatures and need their own medicine. If your pet is ill, contact Everhart Veterinary Medicine in Baltimore and Pasadena, MD!
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With two Maryland locations in both Baltimore and Pasadena, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131 or 410-793-7670! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!