A dog begging for food by the table, hoping to get scraps from the family meal; it’s a classic scene, and one that is surely relatable to most dog owners out there. Many families will happily toss Fido a morsel without considering what exactly they are giving their dog. We may love our dogs like they were people, but we are biologically different, and what’s okay for people to eat is not always the same for dogs. Here are some common foods that dogs have trouble with; some should simply be treated with caution, while others are very dangerous and should never be fed to dogs.
You probably have already heard this one before, but just in case, the first no-go food item on our list is chocolate. Chocolate, and especially dark or baker’s chocolate, is toxic to dogs, due to a chemical called methylxanthine. This chemical is completely fine for humans to eat but in dogs can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in extreme cases, seizures or even death. Even low doses can cause dogs major discomfort at best, so this foodstuff is definitely one to keep out of reach of your canine friend.
Another common food item that dogs absolutely should not eat is grapes. Scientists aren’t exactly sure what chemical in grapes is so dangerous to dogs, but the effects of the ingestion of grapes on dogs are well known; many dogs experience kidney failure after eating grapes. Because of their dried nature, raisins are thought to be even more potent and toxic in this regard, but either way, grapes are a snack you should keep far away from your dog.
Garlic and onions are other common foods that can cause problems for dogs. A chemical in both called thiosulfate is the culprit here. This compound can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs, which leads to the damage and eventual bursting of red blood cells. This compound is present in all forms of garlic and onions, including raw, cooked or powered, so responsible owners should be careful around foods that contain these items as ingredients.
Dogs are proud hunters, or perhaps depending on your breed, ancestors to a lineage of proud hunters. Many people then assume that it is totally fine to give dogs a diet of raw meat. While this isn’t a bad idea in and of itself, you need to be careful to properly prep such a diet. Raw meat and fish can contain both bacteria and parasites that would normally be killed during cooking, both of which can be incredibly harmful to your dog. Freezing the meat before serving is one possible way to help make sure that it is safe to eat. Additionally, make sure you are providing the right cut of meat for your dog; dog’s stomachs do not process overly fatty food well, and repeated exposure to high fat foods can lead to pancreatitis. Thus, lean cuts are preferred.
Finally, certain types of nuts can be very bad for your dog. Macadamia nuts can cause problems such as tremors, lameness, or vomiting, and walnuts, which may contain chemicals called tremorgenic mycotoxins, can cause weakness, lethargy or even seizures. Pecans and hickory nuts may also be problematic; they can cause intestinal obstruction or gastric upset. Both of those nuts also contain juglone, a toxin that can cause laminitis in horses, but the full effect on dogs is unknown. Not all nuts are bad for your dog: peanuts, almonds and cashews are fine. However, caution should be exercised due to the high fat content in nuts, which can lead to pancreatitis; pistachios in particular should be avoided for this reason, due to their high fat content.
