Dangerous Foods for Dogs

Feeding your dog a few scraps from your dinner plate is something that most dog owners would probably admit they’ve done at some point.

However, there are some foods that should never, ever be given to your dog.

In this week’s blog, we cover the most-dangerous foods to give your dogs.

Avocado

Whilst a favourite amongst us humans avocados are very dangerous to dogs. They contain a toxin called persin which can cause diarrhea, vomiting and heart congestion, not to mention the risk of choking on the pit… which is also full of persin.

Alcohol

Giving your dog a sip of your beer or wine may seem like a little harmless fun, but it’s really not a good idea! Alcohol in dogs can cause vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, central nervous system depression, tremors, breathing problems, coma and even death!

Caffeine / Tea

Nothing like a cup of coffee to get you going for the day, but that’s not the case for dogs! Dogs are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than people and within a couple of hours, your dog could experience mild to severe hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, seizures and possibly death. And, this also includes tea!

Chocolate

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is toxic to dogs. It can cause symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea but worse, it can also cause kidney failure, seizures, heart problems and potentially even death. Dark chocolate has the highest content of theobromine.

Coconut

In large quantities, the milk and flesh of a coconut can cause stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhoea and with high levels of potassium in coconut water it can also cause heart problems for your pet.

Cooked Bones

Never give your dogs cooked bones. Once cooked, the bones are susceptible to splintering and in large quantities cause constipation or at worst, perforation of the throat and gut which can be fatal.

Dairy

As dogs don’t possess significant amounts of lactase, milk and other dairy-based products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset. They can also trigger food allergies.

Garlic and Onions

Both onions and garlic, whether in powdered or fresh form, can kill your dog’s red blood cells and cause anaemia and food poisoning. Signs may include weakness, vomiting and troubles with breathing.

Grapes & Raisins

Grapes and raisins are one of the most-mentioned toxic foods for dogs as they can cause kidney failure. Just one raisin can be severely toxic for a dog so whether fresh or as an ingredient in a bun, fruit loaf or mince pie, these are very, very dangerous for dogs.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts can cause dogs to experience weakness, depression, tremors, vomiting and increased body temperature as they contain a toxin that can affect your dog’s muscles and nervous system. This can also include swollen limbs and excessive panting.

Peaches and Plums

Did you know that the pits of stone fruits like apricots, cherries, plums and peaches contain a compound called amygdalin, which breaks down into hydrogen cyanide when ingested! Say no more really.

Raw Eggs

As we all know, raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli which in themselves are a risk to dogs, as they are humans. They also contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems.

Sugar

Giving sugar to dogs can lead to the same issues as it does with us humans, including weight gain, teeth problems and diabetes.

Tobacco

Nicotine can be lethal to dogs – symptoms include vomiting, abnormal heart rate, tremors and weakness.

Xylitol

The artificial sweetener Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure and even death.

In the event that your dog consumes any of these foods, take them to the vet immediately.

So, now we’ve covered all the bad foods for dogs, why not take a look at all the good foods for dogs… available from Broadleaf!

All our grain-free recipes are made from a wide variety of human-grade quality food, sourced from the finest farms to provide a guarantee of the highest quality product.

If you have any questions relating to your dog’s diet, or if you would like to discuss how our food could potentially help your dog, please get in touch.