What Foods Are Bad For Dogs? - Foods That Are Bad For Dogs

People love their dogs. They often assign them human traits and treat them as one of their children. There is really nothing wrong with that. However, it would be wise to use caution when trying to feed them like one of the children. Some human foods can have disastrous results for our canine friends. Here are some foods dogs should not eat and are best left on the table out of the dog’s reach.

Meats and Meat Products

Raw meat – may contain dangerous bacteria that can cause diarrhea and vomiting
Fish – any kind of fish in high volumes can cause a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency which can lead to seizures and in some cases cause death
Bones – they can easily splinter causing lacerations within your dog’s digestive system
Raw Eggs – decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin) causing skin conditions and hair problems
Fat products – causes pancreatitis

Fruits and Vegetables

Avocado – all parts of the avocado plant contain persin which causes digestive problems
Grapes and raisins – they contain an unidentified toxin known to cause kidney problems
Mushrooms – contains many toxins that are to strong for the dog’s system and leads to many possible internal problems which can cause death
Onions and garlic – contain sulfides and disulfides which can lead to anemia
Peaches and plums – the pits can cause blockage within the digestive system

The Fun Stuff

Chocolate and other caffeine products – cause heart and nervous system problems which can lead to death
Alcohol – dogs do get drunk, but the effects are amplified and can easily put a dog in a coma or cause death
Macadamia nuts – causes problems for the muscles and nervous system due to unknown toxins
Marijuana – causes problems for the heart and nervous system
Sugar products – just like in humans, these products can cause weight gain, dental issues and might lead to diabetes which is more common in dogs than most people realize
Table scraps – the scraps most likely contain many of the items mention above and should be avoided due to the uncertainty of what the dog is actually ingesting

The best course of action is to stick with what has proven to work over many decades, good ole dog food. Much research has gone into developing products that offer a balanced, nutritional diet for your dog. While it may not look appetizing to a human, most dogs seem to enjoy the tastes provided by many of the available flavors. If you are compelled to feed your dog from the table, it would be best to stick with well cooked meats, but do so in moderation.

A dog’s digestive system is much different from that of a human. Their tolerance to certain ingredients and toxins is much lower and can create many of the health issues mentioned above. It is very easy to get caught up in seeing you beloved dog as a human, but they are not. For the sake of your pet, you should take the time to understand the effects of the various foods you might offer and consult with your veterinarian about which foods are appropriate for your dog.

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