What foods are poisonous to dogs?

Generally speaking, it's not recommended that dogs receive scraps or leftovers from their owners' dinner tables for the simple reason that they will get complete nutrition from their own food, and so extras like this are surplus to their nutritional requirements, leading to weight gain and even obesity. However, even the most careful dog owner will admit to occasionally giving their furry friend a little tidbit from the table. Now and again doesn't do much harm. Just be careful that you don't make it a really regular occurrence to the point where your dog is getting fed far more than he actually needs, as an overweight dog is not a happy dog, and much more prone to medical issues and health problems than a dog who hasn't been overfed.

But if you do like to feed your dog the occasional treat from your own plate, or share your favorite snack with him, you do need to be careful that you are aware of what foods are safe for dogs. Not only can some “people foods” be unhealthy for dogs, some things can actually be harmful, or even poisonous. Are you sure that what you're giving your dog is safe for him to eat? If not, don't do it. It's not worth taking the risk with your best friend's health.

 

The one dangerous fod that most people are aware of is chocolate. Almost every household contains someone who loves to snack on chocolate, and it seems like the most natural thing in the world to break off a little piece for the dog when he comes sniffing hopefully at your treat. But chocolate is toxic to dogs, so don't feel guilty about not sharing! It contains caffeine, which will drastically raise a dog's heart rate, and can even cause seizures. If you feel sorry for your dog for missing out on the joys of chocolate, plenty of pet food manufacturers have designed special “doggy chocolate” that is perfectly safe for your dog to enjoy next time you're keeping that bar of chocolate all to yourself. Oh, and by the way – it's not likely that you'd be giving your dog coffee, but just in case the thought crossed your mind, don't! For the same reason as chocolate: caffeine is extremely bad for dogs.

Chocolate is now pretty well-known as a no-no for dogs, but did you know about the other major one? It surprises many dog owners to find out that onions are also very poisonous to dogs. They affect the balance of the red blood cells in a dog's body, which can be extremely dangerous. If you've considered just scraping your plate into the dog's bowl, then avoid doing so if there were onions in your meal. Grapes and raisons are others to avoid, as they have been linked to kidney failure in dogs.

Note also that foods which are acidic should not be given to dogs, because dogs' bodies can't process acidic foods as well as human bodies can. Acidity is known to impact the dog's GI track, which can bring about some unpleasant and nasty side effects, ranging from restlessness and panting to fever and vomiting.

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