As dog owners, we all want the best for our furry friends. Providing a healthy and balanced diet is crucial for their well-being. However, certain foods that are safe for us humans can pose serious health risks to our canine companions. To ensure your dog’s safety, it’s important to be aware of what foods to avoid. In this blog post, we’ll discuss seven foods that your dog should never eat.

Chocolate

Chocolate, particularly dark or unsweetened varieties, contains a substance called theobromine that is toxic to dogs. It can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, tremors, and even seizures. The darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration of theobromine, making it more dangerous for dogs. Keep all chocolate products out of your dog’s reach.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins may seem harmless, but they can lead to kidney failure in dogs. Even in small quantities, they can cause severe poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Avoid feeding grapes or raisins to your dog, and be cautious of foods that may contain them, such as certain baked goods or trail mixes.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic, whether raw, cooked, or powdered, contain compounds that can cause damage to a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Symptoms may include weakness, vomiting, and breathlessness. These ingredients are often found in various dishes, so be cautious when sharing table scraps or cooking meals for your dog.

Xylitol

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener commonly found in sugar-free gum, candies, and some baked goods. It can cause a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Xylitol toxicity can result in symptoms like vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and in severe cases, liver failure. Keep all products containing xylitol away from your dog.

Avocado

While avocados are a nutritious choice for humans, they contain a substance called persin, which can be toxic to dogs. Persin is primarily found in the avocado pit, skin, and leaves. Ingesting large amounts can cause stomach upset, breathing difficulties, and fluid accumulation in the chest area. Keep avocados and their related products away from your dog’s reach.

Alcohol

Alcohol is highly toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can have serious effects on their central nervous system, leading to disorientation, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death. Be mindful of spills, and never intentionally give alcohol to your dog, as it can have fatal consequences.

Caffeine

Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate, stimulates a dog’s nervous system and can lead to restlessness, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, tremors, and in severe cases, seizures. Similar to chocolate, theobromine in caffeine-containing products can be harmful to dogs. Keep caffeinated beverages and foods away from your pet’s access.

More About Canine Healthcare

For more helpful tips on keeping your furry friend healthy, check out our recent explainer post on the different kinds of allergies your dog may experience.

5 Common Signs of Allergies in Dogs