One of the best ways to ensure that your dog lives a long, healthy, and happy life is a combination of a good diet and exercise. And to maintain a good diet for their pets, many dog owners have started feeding them healthy and nutritious food from their kitchens.
Some dog owners mix in natural ingredients with their dog’s regular kibble, while others have fully committed to making all of their dog’s food. But either way, when preparing food for your dog, you need to make sure you’re putting in the right ingredients.
There are some foods and ingredients out there that might be great for humans but pose dangers for your dogs. And as a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure your dog doesn’t end up munching on these foods.
So, to help you out when preparing your dog’s meals here’s a quick list of some foods your dog should avoid and why.
Contents
Garlic & Onions
Wait, is garlic bad for dogs? Yes, this kitchen staple contains a toxin that attacks a dog’s red blood cells, which can lead to a wide variety of different problems.
If your dog accidentally ingests garlic, there’s a fair chance that it might start vomiting and exhibiting other symptoms. And in the worst cases, your dog could even develop hemolytic anemia, which is a serious condition that can lead to a bunch of complications.
The toxin that causes this is called n-propyl disulfide. This is an oxidant that can damage a dog’s red blood cells, and you can find this in any member of the allium family. So, that means it isn’t just garlic you should keep away from your pet.
The allium family includes a bunch of common kitchen herbs and ingredients such as chives, shallots, onions, and more. And since all of these ingredients contain n-propyl disulfide, they can all cause complications in your pet, especially if they eat a lot of it.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a well-known food that dogs should avoid. There are many reasons to keep your dog away from chocolate, such as the caffeine and sugar in an average piece of chocolate.
However, the main reason dogs can’t have chocolate is because of a substance called methylxanthines, which stimulate your dog’s metabolism and can’t be stopped. So, even if your dog just has a bit of chocolate, they may start developing diarrhea and begin vomiting as a result.
Avocados
While there has been a recent “avocado-craze” with humans where we’ve started to put it in everything from avocado toast, as an addition to salads, and even mixing them with eggs. And while they might offer a fair amount of health benefits for humans, they aren’t good for your dog.
Avocados contain a specific fatty acid known as persin, which is toxic to dogs and the reason they should not ever eat avocados.
Persin is toxic to dogs when fed in large amounts, so there may not be any reason to panic if your dog accidentally eats one small piece. However, to stay on the safe side, we highly recommend keeping avocados away from your dog at all costs.
Macadamia Nuts
The reason this is a very dangerous food for dogs is that we don’t know what exactly causes the negative reactions. While scientists have tried to determine why macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, they haven’t found a definitive answer just yet, which is why if you have macadamia nuts in your kitchen, make sure your dog can’t reach the bag.
This doesn’t just go for raw macadamia nuts either. Remember, this is an ingredient that is present in a whole lot of different foods, such as cookies and other treats. So, before you think about giving your begging dog a piece of your cookie, keep in mind that there are a lot of human ingredients that dogs can’t handle well, and you are responsible for their health.
Salt
Another common ingredient to keep away from your pet is salt. While humans have a pretty high tolerance for salt, dogs don’t. If a dog has too much salt, they risk dehydration and even iodine poisoning in severe cases. So, when making food for your dog, make sure to not season it. While we humans might need that extra flavor boost, dogs do not so make sure to skip the salt. This also means salty leftovers are a huge no-no for your dogs if you want them to live a long and healthy life.
Conclusion: What To Do If Your Dog Eats These Foods
If you catch your dog munching on any of the ingredients above, make sure to stop them right away. Once you’ve gotten the food away from their reach, the next step is to observe them.
If they start exhibiting symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea, contact your vet immediately as they will know what to do for your specific situation.
And if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, it will be best to schedule an immediate vet appointment for your dog’s health and safety.