If you are a dog owner, then I bet you have seen that cute little face that your dog puts on every time you are holding something tasty in your hand. Dogs are probably the best beggars among all the animals. Who can say no to those cute faces, especially when they are wagging their tails at light speed? Not to mention when they jump on you and try to take it by force. But no matter how adorable their actions, there are some foods that dogs can’t eat. Hence it is your duty to stop them from eating such stuff. Unfortunately, some of us dog owners aren’t aware of what foods can hurt our dogs the most.
So, here is a helpful guide to human foods that dogs can’t eat.
6 Common Human Foods That Dogs Can’t Eat
Chocolate
As tasty as chocolate is, it is equally dangerous to dogs. But like a kid who is asked not to press the red button, dogs will always jump at the sight of some chocolaty goodies. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the foods that pose an even bigger risk.
Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine are all examples of foods that dogs can’t eat. These all contain a chemical called methylxanthines which can cause diarrhea, vomiting and extreme thirst. Higher doses can cause seizures, abnormal heart rhythms or even death. Hence, to be safe, ensure you don’t feed your pup any kind of chocolate, no matter how much they beg.
Image by jesscet
Dairy
We all know that young mammals need milk from the moment they’re born. This is okay when they are young since they have an enzyme called lactase that helps digest milk products. As they grow older, mammals lose the ability to produce this enzyme. This is when they become lactose intolerant and can’t have dairy products anymore.
Thus, you should avoid feeding your dog ice cream, cheese, and even milk to be on the safer side. These foods that dogs can’t eat cause diarrhea and other stomach problems. God forbid your dog isn’t toilet trained and ends up having some dairy product.
Alcohol
Sometimes, dogs act like teenagers – always attracted to things that aren’t good for them.
Something like alcohol that isn’t completely safe for humans will obviously not be safe for our dear dogs. The side effects are like those in humans, including dizziness and loss in coordination. However, in dogs, alcohol can take a much more severe turn with effects like breathing problems, tremors, and death.
Try your best to hide these spirits from your dog.
Grapes and Raisins
These tiny, seemingly harmless fruits can prove to be fatal for dogs.
Image by i_vanesssa
Grapes and raisins are commonly used human foods that dogs can’t eat. They are present in many food products and you may not even notice dropping one. Both grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs and might eventually lead to death in heavy doses. Thus, it is always best to keep a clean floor and raisins or grapes out of reach of dogs.
Meat
“Did anyone say meat?” is the reaction that you always get from your pooch as soon as they smell it or even hear you say the words. We’re not saying that all meat products are foods that dogs can’t eat. However, giving your dog meat can be a very tricky affair.
If you do not cook it properly, then you risk giving your dog bacterial infections like E-coli or Salmonella. If it contains too much salt, like bacon does, this might lead to sodium ion poisoning. This condition causes diarrhea, excessive thirst, and sometimes even seizures.
Fatty meats can also pose a problem for your dogs since they can lead to gastrointestinal diseases. So, it is best to stick to well-cooked and relatively bland chicken if you catch your dog begging too much.
Sweets
Who doesn’t like sweets? However, sugary products are among the most dangerous foods that dogs can’t eat.
While consuming regular sugar leads to your dog having problems like obesity, dental problems, and diabetes, the real danger lies in artificially sweetened products. Artificial sweeteners like Xylitol can cause liver failure in dogs.
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Since toothpaste also contains this chemical, it is best not to brush your dog’s teeth using your regular toothpaste.
There are many things that a dog loves, but can’t eat. The ones listed above are the ones which the dog has a higher chance of consuming and thus, the most dangerous ones too.
Please refer to the chart above for other human foods that dogs can’t eat. Since the side effects of some of these food products are controversial, feel free to ask any questions you have in the comments below and let us help you clear your doubts.
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