Dogs are our constant worshiping companions, and never more so than when we are preparing food or eating. It’s almost impossible to resist those longing eyes that beg for one tiny bite at a teenager. But sharing people’s food with your dog can be dangerous, and there are many foods that are toxic to dogs. “Every species has different needs, and animals don’t metabolize food the same way we do,” says Deborah Linder, DVM., MS, D.AC.V.IM, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. at Tufts University. “Foods that are right for you may not be for dogs, even for healthy pets. Assume that food is not okay to give to your dog unless you are taught otherwise.”
Reactions to foods that are toxic to dogs vary depending on the type of food, the size of your dog, and how much was ingested. “Toxic substances can cause mild adverse reactions, such as stomach upset, to severe ones, such as death,” said Tina Wismer, senior director, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Sometimes a single bite can make your dog sick, but swallowing a large amount could be fatal.
If you suspect your dog has chewed something it shouldn’t have – even if you’re not absolutely sure – call your vet or pet poison control hotline as soon as possible. “Time can be of the essence and getting to the ER as soon as possible, preferably before the food leaves the stomach, is best,” says Dr. Linder. Also, do not induce vomiting at home unless instructed to do so by a vet.
In the meantime, minimize risk around your house: Keep rubbish out of reach, don’t leave rucksacks or handbags on the floor, be careful when you drop food when cooking, and never leave plates or glasses unattended supervision where your pet can approach them, even up. the counter, says Dr. Your dog is smarter and may have more motivation than you think to grab that plate of cookies. And if you have a new pet whose habits you don’t know yet, be even more careful.
If you want to share people’s food, choose foods that healthy dogs can safely enjoy such as baby carrots, green beans, or watermelon. And never overdo it: Too much of any food can cause GI upset or contribute to weight gain, says Dr. Linder.
Ahead, the most common foods that are toxic to dogs that you should never feed your dog:
1
Chocolate, Coffee and Tea
“The Animal Poison Control Center receives more calls for chocolate than any other food,” Wismer said. “Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, types of methylxanthines.”
Methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urine, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death. Darker chocolate tends to be more dangerous than milk chocolate, and baking chocolate contains the highest levels of methylxanthines. Coffee and tea also contain these substances and should never be given to dogs.
2
Onions, Chives, and Garlic
These foods can cause GI irritation and can lead to red blood cell damage and anemia due to the presence of N-propyl disulfide. “While garlic is sometimes an ingredient in pet foods and treats, its toxicity is dose-dependent,” says Dr. Linder. Garlic or onion powder, on its own or in foods, can also be a problem if your pet ingests them in large enough quantities.
If ingested in large quantities, these foods can cause stomach upset, lethargy, and acute kidney injury. It is not known exactly what the toxic component is, although a new theory states that tartaric acid may be the part of the grape that causes toxicity in dogs, said Dr Linder. Interestingly, the amount of tartaric acid can vary according to the type of grape, how they were grown, and level of ripeness.
Ingesting any type of nut, which contains large amounts of oils and fats, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis, a potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas. Eating macadamia nuts is even more dangerous and can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs, Wismer said. Foods that contain large amounts of nuts can also be a problem.
Beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages and food products that contain alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma, and even death in dogs, Wismer said. Alcohol should not be given to your dog under any circumstances, so keep drinking glasses out of reach while you are enjoying them, and pick up any glasses with drink residue off end tables, for example.
