Human Foods That Aren’t Safe To Share With Your Dog
Does your dog sit by your feet, giving you puppy dog eyes every time you try to enjoy a meal? Most dogs love to beg, and it’s tempting to give in. One bite of your food won’t hurt them right? Wrong. While there are plenty of foods that are safe to share with your pooch, there is a long list of human foods that dogs can’t eat. Before sharing your dinner with Fido, read this list of human foods that aren’t safe to share with your dog.
1. Grapes and Raisins
This ones a popular one that most dog owners already know. Grapes (and their dried up counterpart, raisins) contain toxins that are harmful to our furry friends. Dogs may experience kidney failure as a result of eating grapes. This could lead to thousands of dollars in vet bills or even worse, death.
2. Macadamia Nuts
Some nuts, such as cashews and almonds, are okay for your dog to eat in moderation. However, macadamia nuts are on the list of human foods that aren’t safe to share with your dog.
Macadamia nuts contain toxins that can cause vomiting, muscle weakness, and tremors in dogs. They also have a high fat content, which could lead to pancreatitis.
3. Onions
You should never feed your dog onions whether they are cooked, raw, or compressed in an onion powder. Onions contain N-propyl disulfide, which can cause anemia in dogs.
Anemic dogs experience lethargy, weakness, and fainting. In severe causes, anemia can require blood transfusions.
4. Avocado
While you may enjoy a piece of avocado toast for breakfast, your furry friend won’t feel the same. Avocados are on the list of human foods that aren’t safe to share with your dog due to a toxin in them called persin. Persin may lead to fluid accumulation in your dogs lungs and chest.
Every part of the avocado is toxic to your pup so make sure they don’t get the skin, fruit, or pit.
5. Coffee and Tea
Your dog doesn’t need caffeine to wake up in the morning so there’s no need to share your morning cup of joe. The caffeine content in coffee and tea can lead to hyperactivity, vomiting, elevated heart rate, and seizures.
The smallest amount of caffeine can cause problems with your dog, so keep it out of your pups reach.
6. Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is often found in gum, candy, and toothpaste. It can lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar levels making it harmful to dogs.
Note: Some brands of peanut butter contain xylitol, so always check the ingredients before giving it to your dog.
7. Lemons and Limes
Lemons and limes contain psoralen which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
8. Chocolate
Everyone knows that dogs can’t eat chocolate. This is because of a chemical in it called theobromine. Larger dogs will likely be able to consume milk chocolate in small amounts. However, you should keep all chocolate away from your pup.
Carob powder is a great chocolate substitute for dog treats, such as this hot chocolate.
9. Alcohol
Humans can hardly consume alcohol, therefore it should be a no-brainer to not give it to your dog. Dogs react to alcohol very similarly to humans. However, because dogs are a lot smaller than humans, they are more susceptible to issues such as liver failure.