As a dog owner, we all want
what's best for our dog. With the newest reports about the
proper diet for your dog, they should have carbohydrates,
vegtables, etc., more and more dog owners are giving their
dog table scraps without realizing that there are certain
foods a dog should never have. Before you put your left-overs
in your dog's bowl be sure to read the top ten foods they
shouldn't eat.
1.
Chocolate - To dogs, chocolate acts as a stimulant, making
your dog's heartbeat accelerate or beat irregularly, leading
to seizures and even cardiac arrest. To compound things
further, it also acts as a severe diuretic, causing frequent
urination, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. If you even suspect
your dog has consumed chocolate, take him to an animal
hospital immediately.
2.
Grapes and Raisins - Grapes and raisins create havoc with
your dog's kidneys and digestive system. What's worse is
that the amount of grapes needed to cause problems can vary
greatly among individual dogs. Symptoms include frequent
urination, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3.
Onions - Onions cause the breakdown of a dog's red blood
cells, which deprives his cells of much-needed oxygen. If
you're in the habit of feeding your dog table scraps, make
sure the dish was not prepared with onions, as the effects
can be cumulative over a period of time. Symptoms can vary
greatly, ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to loss of
appetite, fever, or exhaustion.
4.
Macadamia Nuts - While the exact chemical compound is still
unknown, even a small amount of macadamia nuts can cause
fever, irregular heartbeat, seizures, or mild paralysis.
5.
Alcoholic Beverages - Dogs' physiologies are not equipped to
handle alcohol consumption. They are extremely susceptible
to alcohol poisoning, and even small amounts can lead to
digestive problems or even death.
6.
Bread Dough - Because it is soft, dogs will often swallow
the dough without chewing it. When the dough hits your dog's
stomach, his body heat will cause the dough to rise inside
his stomach. This rising action can cause bloating or
vomiting. To compound things further, the rising action
creates alcohol as a by-product, and your dog may experience
the symptoms listed in the previous paragraph.
7.
Caffeinated Beverages - Similar to the effects of chocolate,
caffeine is a stimulant and can negatively impact your dog's
heart rate, causing seizures or heart attacks.
8.
Avocadoes- Avocadoes are toxic to many animals. The
offensive chemical damages heart, lung, and other essential
tissues. Be aware since guacamole's main ingredient is
avocado, that you keep any such dips well out of your dog's
reach.
9.
Pitted Fruits - (Peaches, Pears, Cherries, and Apricots) The
pits of these fruits contain small doses of cyanide, which
can be fatal to smaller dogs. Also, if the pit is swallowed
whole, it may become lodged in the intestinal tract, where
the blockage will have to be surgically removed.
10.
Raw Fish - Raw fish, especially salmon, can contain
parasites, usually fluke larvae. The dog consumes the fish,
and the larvae hatch in your dog's digestive tract,
attaching themselves to his intestinal walls. Symptoms can
take up to a week to exhibit and usually mimic other canine
diseases, such as distemper or parvovirus. The hazard here
is misdiagnosis by the veterinarian, leading to an improper
or ineffective treatment. If you choose to feed your dog
fish, be sure to cook it thoroughly to kill any bad critters
that could be hiding inside.
Remember a good dog is a happy and healthy dog.
