How to Avoid Foods Dangerous for Your Dog

There are many common foods on the human table that are deadly for dogs. It is vital to know about them to avoid causing severe or fatal illness in your loyal canine companion.

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Steps

1. 1
   Understand that even though a certain food is non-toxic to you, this does not mean that the food is non-toxic to your dog. Certain foods that cause no harm to humans can be lethal to canines.
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2. 2
   Familiarize yourself with the top human food culprits:
   
   

   • Chocolate contains theobromine (a methylxanthine derivative). It can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, pant excessively, urinate frequently, develop a great thirst, have seizures, show hyperactivity, get an abnormal heart beat and possibly die. The negative effects depend on the dosage, the size of the dog, and the type of chocolate. The most dangerous types of chocolate are dark chocolate, baker's chocolate and cocoa powder. White chocolate is not dangerous, though the fat and sugar content is not good for your dog. ^[1]
   • Caffeine/Coffee warrant the same precautions as for chocolate. Caffeine, like theobromine, is a methylxanthine derivative with similar effects on dogs.
   • Alcohol Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol – can kill your dog. Alcohol is a depressant and slows down the functioning of a dog's liver and brain the same as it does to humans. The smaller the dog, the greater the effect.dogs are much smaller and are more susceptible to intoxication. It takes far less alcohol to damage a dog’s vital organs. Just a small amount of alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, central nervous system depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma, and even death.
   • Onions, garlic and chives in all forms (dry, raw, cooked) contain thiosulphate, which can irritate the gastrointestinal system of your dog. A relatively high dosage (600-800 grams) in one meal or spread apart over a few days can damage red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia).
   •   (both raw and roasted, as well as macadamia butter) contain an unknown toxin that can cause locomotive difficulties: weakness, panting, tremors and swollen limbs. Commonly in , so be careful what you feed your dog.
   •  and  - can lead to  As yet, it is not known what substance in grapes causes this. Be careful, as raisins are often in cake and cookies.
   • Avocado - the substance Persin can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes heart congestion.
   • Yeast dough - this refers to the dough prior to cooking. The yeast can continue to rise in the dog's stomach and cause painful bloating, gas and even rupture of the intestines or stomach.
   • Raw or undercooked meat and eggs - While there is controversy surrounding the role of raw meat in a dog's diet, studies have shown that raw meat has a higher likelihood of harboring harmful bacteria than cooked or prepared dog food.^[3] As with humans, care needs to be taken in handling raw meat and eggs to avoid the possibility of contamination with Salmonella bacteria and E. coli. Raw eggs contain an enzyme (avidin) that can lead to skin and coat problems for a dog.
   • Milk - owing to a dog's lack of digestive lactase (milk enzyme), consumption may lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea and other digestive upsets.
   • Xylitol - a sweetener, can lead to liver failure through the over-release of insulin, vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. It does not take long to see signs of nearing liver failure - only a few days. Be very careful as this substance is found in a wide range of products, such as candy, chewing gum, toothpaste and baked goods.
   • Bones can cause choking, or they can break apart into jagged pieces that become lodged in the digestive tract. Look for sturdy marrow bones that are less likely to splinter or nylon bones that wear down slowly