Harmful Human Foods Your Pooch Should Avoid

Naturally, chocolate takes the top spot. Chocolate is one of the most well-known toxic foods to canines, and it's thanks to theobromine. This chemical is a stimulant that halts a pup's metabolic process. It causes agitation, upset stomach, increased thirst, pain, fever, muscle tremors, irregular heartbeat, and seizures. If the concentration is powerful enough, it could kill a dog if not treated.

The darker the chocolate or cocoa powder, the higher chance of poisoning. Yes, a dog can still get ill from eating a nibble of milk chocolate, but dark chocolate will have far worse effects.

In small doses, bread isn't bad for a dog. It has no nutritional value to them, but it's not a hazard. Bread dough, however, is a different story. Yeast is the culprit, causing dire complications when it multiplies. It can block the pup's airway, distend their stomach, or get them drunk. Signs of yeast ingestion include confusion, vomiting, and eating grass. If a dog is inebriated, it should be put under medical observation until symptoms subside.

Onions and garlic, while flavorful additions to human meals, are toxic to dogs. Every part of the onion plant - the flesh, leaves, juice, and even processed powders - can cause damage to a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia. Similarly, garlic, even in small amounts, can cause upset stomach and damage red blood cells. To prevent accidental ingestion, it's essential to keep these food items out of your pet's reach.

Except for small bones, raw bones are fine for a dog to consume. Cooking them is when things become problematic. Poultry bones, in particular, tend to splinter when digested, causing internal blockages or tears. Feeding your pooch the meat is okay, but clean it off the bone first. And while you're at it, skip the cooked fat and skin, as they aren't healthy for your pup.

Most nuts, including almonds, pecans, and walnuts, are harmful to dogs due to their high oil and fat content, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis. Nuts also pose a choking hazard due to their size and shape. It's best to keep your dog away from nuts to prevent these health issues.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener. Found in candy, soft drinks, and other sugar-free products, it's quite popular. Unfortunately, even a tiny amount of xylitol can make a dog deathly ill. Symptoms show themselves only a few minutes after ingestion. A rapid drop in blood pressure and seizures are the most common indicators of poisoning.

Quite frequently, chewing gum contains xylitol. Aside from this toxicity, gum is difficult for dogs to digest. Even if it doesn't have an artificial sweetener, gum can cause severe harm to a pup by blocking their intestines.

Mycotoxins are found in moldy food. Anything that's spoiled or rotten should be kept out of your dog's reach. Pay particular attention to trash cans and make sure they're properly protected from a potential pooch invasion. Always be attentive to your pup's canned food too, as it can develop mold once opened. Even fallen fruit from trees could be dangerous.

Mold can be deadly for dogs. Mycotoxin poisoning, if treated, may run its course. But it also has the potential for long-term fatal effects such as cancer and immune deficiency. Symptoms show up fairly quickly and include tremors and convulsions.

Caffeine, present in coffee, tea, and certain foods, is harmful to dogs. Consumption can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and even seizures. This applies not only to the drinks themselves but also to any food products containing caffeine. To ensure your pet's safety, always keep caffeinated items out of your dog's reach.

Grapes are extremely dangerous for dogs to consume, but the verdict is still out as to why. This mysterious fruit can initially cause diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy, but symptoms might take a sudden turn into full-blown kidney failure.

Any edible counterparts of grapes have the same effect. Keep your dog away from currants, raisins, and sultanas. Beware of any foods that use these dehydrated fruits as ingredients.

You already know that alcohol is bad for a dog. Beer adds another element of toxicity thanks to hops. An integral part of beer hops are flower cones that influence flavor, bitterness, and aroma. However, they also dramatically increase a canine's body temperature. This can lead to organ failure, seizures, and death.

Call your vet immediately if your dog shows signs of illness due to consuming beer or other toxic substances. Some problems will be more serious than others, so play it safe and make an emergency appointment. This could be the difference between life and death.

Avocados are known for their health benefits in the human diet, but for dogs, they're a dangerous food. Containing a toxin called persin, these fruits can cause severe stomach upset in our canine friends. Not to mention, the large pit in the center of the avocado can be a choking hazard and has the potential to create a blockage in your pet's digestive system. It's crucial to keep avocados well out of reach of your furry companions.

The consumption of alcohol is incredibly harmful to dogs. Even ingesting small amounts can lead to significant health complications. In dogs, alcohol can cause a range of distressing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty in breathing. It can even lead to more serious conditions, like abnormal blood acidity, tremors, and in severe situations, it could be fatal. To ensure your pet's safety, it's important to keep alcoholic beverages inaccessible to them.

Despite their small size, grapes and raisins pose a serious health risk to dogs. Consuming these can lead to sudden kidney failure, a condition that can be life-threatening. Symptoms include excessive thirst and urination, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Even though it remains unclear why these fruits are so toxic to dogs, their potential for harm is significant. To protect your pet's health, it's crucial to prevent their access to these fruits.

Most dogs are lactose intolerant, meaning their bodies can't properly digest dairy products. Consuming these can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, and other digestive problems. They might also trigger food allergies, resulting in itchiness and skin problems. To prevent such issues, it's best to avoid giving your dog dairy products.

Large amounts of citrus can cause a reaction in dogs leading to central nervous system depression. This condition can lead to noticeable changes in behavior, including listlessness or seeming disoriented. While small amounts are generally safe, it's better to avoid giving your dog citrus to prevent any potential harm.

While small amounts of coconut and coconut oil are not typically dangerous to dogs, they can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. In addition, coconut water should not be given to dogs due to its high potassium levels. It's advised to give coconut or its products to dogs sparingly.

Excessive salt intake in dogs can lead to salt poisoning, which presents symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, high body temperature, tremors, and even seizures in severe cases. Keeping salty foods, including snacks like chips or pretzels, away from dogs is important for their overall health.

Feeding raw eggs to dogs may expose them to harmful bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli, posing a risk of food poisoning. The enzyme avidin, found in raw eggs, can also interfere with the absorption of the B vitamin biotin, potentially causing skin and coat issues.

Raw meat and fish can contain bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. Certain fish like salmon, trout, or shad may carry a parasite that causes "fish disease" or "salmon poisoning disease," potentially fatal if not treated. To ensure your pet's safety, it's best to offer them thoroughly cooked meat and fish.

Excessive sugar can lead to several health issues in dogs, including obesity, dental problems, and diabetes. While it may be tempting to share a sweet treat with your pet, it's better for their long-term health to avoid foods with high sugar content.

Artificial sweeteners, particularly xylitol, can be extremely harmful to dogs. Even small amounts can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, leading to hypoglycemia. Consuming these sweeteners can result in lethargy, loss of coordination, vomiting, seizures, and in severe cases, liver failure.

While the corn itself is safe for dogs to eat, the cob can pose significant health risks. It can be a choking hazard and, if swallowed, cause intestinal obstruction, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. To prevent these issues, always remove the corn kernels from the cob before giving it to your dog.