Foods Your Dog Must Never Eat

1 Five Foods Harmful to Dogs

Five foods that harm dogs:

1. Chocolate products

As everyone knows, chocolate is ‘poison’ to dogs. It contains caffeine and theobromine, which humans metabolize and excrete but dogs cannot.

After eating chocolate a dog may vomit severely and convulse, even suffer heart failure or nerve damage. About 120 g can kill a puppy or small breed, so never let your dog eat any chocolate!

2. Onions and garlic

Onions and garlic contain n-propyl disulfide, which oxidizes the hemoglobin in red cells, destroying them and causing hemolytic anemia: lowered appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases red or brown urine (from destroyed hemoglobin).

A small amount is usually not dangerous; if the dog eats a tiny piece, do not panic.

3. Alcoholic drinks

Some owners jokingly give dogs alcohol, but this is very wrong!

Never give a dog any alcoholic drink. Alcohol first excites then depresses the central nervous system, causing vomiting, restlessness, frequent urination and odd behavior; in excess it can cause coma, breathing trouble and suppressed heartbeat.

4. Grape products

When eating fruit, owners often share a bit with the dog, but never feed grapes!

Grapes cause kidney failure in dogs. The exact reason is unknown, but some grape component cannot be excreted by the canine kidney, and raisins are even more toxic.

After eating, there may be abdominal pain and vomiting or diarrhea; within twelve hours kidney toxicity appears, builds up over time, and severe cases lead to kidney failure.

5. Cat food

Many homes have both dogs and cats, and dogs often finish their own food then beg the cat’s. This is actually dangerous.

Cat and dog foods differ in nutrients; cat food is high in protein and fat that a dog’s gut cannot digest well. Too much cat food causes stomach upset and illness and weakens the dog’s digestion and overall condition.