The Top 10 Foods to NEVER Feed Your Dog

  • 6 min read

Whether you are savoring the last few bites of a juicy steak or enjoying a sweet bowl of ice cream, that longing stare from your dog is often too adorable to resist. While dogs have a strong stomach, several foods wreak havoc on their bodies, leading to decreased energy, a dull coat, intestinal issues and even death.

Before you decide to share some of your favorite foods with Fido, make sure a few seconds of pleasure do not cause lifelong health problems for your pup. These five issues are likely to develop when you give in to the demands of that charming beggar:

1. Obesity

Like humans, obesity has become a major health concern for dogs in the U.S. with an estimated 55% carrying more weight than they should. The health risks of being 20% above their ideal weight are enormous, leading to serious joint complications, heart disease and breathing problems along with decreased liver, digestive and immune functions. A high-fat diet also leads to pancreas inflammation, a dangerous and extremely painful medical condition. High-fat nuts and cheeses, sugar-infused ice cream, sodium-rich meats and carbo-loaded breads are major contributors to canine obesity.

2. Severe Allergies

Food allergies are just as prominent in dogs as humans, often leading to skin irritations like hot spots and itchy skin. Long-eared breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels, are at greater risk from food allergies that breed mites and yeast infections in the ears. Common signs are scratching and licking, especially if deep scrapes or bald spots develop. Allergies also appear in dogs in the form of gastrointestinal (GI) tract issues, such as loose stool, belching and vomiting after eating. The most common allergies are to grain, dairy, beef, egg and chicken.

3. Heart Disease

Hypertension is a relatively new development in canine medicine for the past 30 years. The rising obesity is a huge factor since excess weight increases blood pressure, which can lead to congestive heart failure. Cardiomyopathy is more common in large breeds, such as German Shepherds, Great Danes and retrievers. Along with the unhealthy outcomes of a diet high in fat and sodium, certain foods can immediately affect a dog’s heart, including exposure to chocolate, cinnamon and garlic.

4. Digestive Problems

Gastrointestinal issues are common in dogs and are caused by a range of parasites, bacteria and food sources. In most cases, stomach problems are easy to spot with the messy vomiting and diarrhea that accompanies them. Certain foods also increase smelly gas, bad breath and constipation. However, digestive disorders also limit your dog’s ability to absorb the healthy nutrients in their good food. Some foods, like undercooked salmon, contain parasites while others, including corn cobs, can tear the stomach lining.

5. Decreased Quality of Life

The food your dog eats has a direct impact on their overall health, which in turn affects their longevity and quality of life. The wrong diet produces an assortment of irritating skin and coat conditions as well as issues with internal organs. Malnourishment and overfeeding will affect your dog’s stamina and endurance when playing, and less exercise is directly tied to younger deaths.

Whether you are feeding table scraps or searching for the best kibble for your pooch, avoid offering these 10 dangerous food items to dogs:

1. Cooked Bones

There are few things in life that dogs love more than gnawing on a bone. It’s tempting to toss the remains of those fried legs or sauce-soaked wings in the dog bowl, but cooked poultry bones are really dangerous. Their pliability makes them easy to splinter during digestion, causing intestinal rips and blockages. While most lean meats are safe to share, including chicken, turkey and pork, avoid offering anything seasoned with excessive salt, garlic or onions. You should also remove the excess skin and fat. Sardine bones are digestible and offer a boost of calcium, but all other fish bones are dangerous.

2. Nuts

Macadamia nuts are one of the most toxic foods to a dog’s nervous system, almost instantly elevating body temperature and inducing vomiting. Other signs of macadamia poisoning include stumbling and lethargy. Almonds are dangerous as well due to their size and hardness, causing swallowing and digestive issues. When it comes to offering a nutty treat, stick to a small handful of unsalted cashews or peanuts, which are bursting with magnesium, calcium, protein and antioxidants. A spoonful of peanut butter is also a healthy snack packed with good proteins, heart-healthy fats and rich amino acids.

3. Corn

Like humans, a dog’s stomach does not fully digest corn. While this starch does not necessarily cause health issues, most name brand dog foods use corn as the primary ingredient. Your pup is likely feeling full after every meal, but they are getting little nutritional benefit despite the protein, carbs, fiber and antioxidants present in corn. A corn cob can cause intestinal blockage, so don’t toss scraps into the dog bowl.

4. Chocolate

The methylxanthines, including caffeine and theobromine, in chocolate interfere with a dog’s metabolic process. Even a small dose of these stimulants can trigger an increased heart rate, trembling, vomiting and diarrhea. Large quantities can cause muscle rigidity, seizures, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and even death. Dark and bitter chocolates are the most dangerous. Generally, a dog is likely to show signs of chocolate poisoning within six to 12 hours. PetMD provides a handy toxicity meter to determine how dangerous the consumption might be based on the type of chocolate and weight of the dog.

5. Garlic

Plants in the Allium family, including onions, chives and leeks, are toxic to dogs because of the presence of sodium thiosulfate. However, none are as dangerous as garlic, which can immediately spark an elevated heart rate, rapid breathing or fatal collapse. Sluggishness and pale gums are signs to look for if your dog is suffering from hemolytic anemia. While a single clove of garlic or a nibble of garlic bread probably won’t send your dog’s body into shock, prolonged toxic doses will result in serious health problems. Also, do not give your pup garlic supplements as a natural remedy for flea and tick prevention.

6. Salt

Some salt is part of a balanced diet, but a dog’s body has to work in overdrive to process too much salt. Prolonged exposure contributes to water retention, which adds pounds and strains the joints and heart. Dehydration can hit quickly when dogs consume large quantities of salt. Heavily seasoned meats and nuts are especially dangerous, but also make sure your dog doesn’t eat deicer, homemade playdough or table salt. Salt poisoning will result in stumbling, tremors, excessive thirst, lethargy, vomiting and seizures. Serious complications can develop that affect the kidneys and brain.

7. Xylitol

Xylitol is believed to be 100 times more toxic than chocolate, according to VCA Hospitals. When it enters a dog’s digestive system, the pancreas’s production and storage of insulin goes haywire, quickly triggering tremors, seizures and vomiting. Liver failure and death are common results of hypoglycemia in dogs. You’ll find this toxic sugar substitute in all kinds of typical household foods, including peanut butter and sugar-free pudding. It is also used in deodorant, toothpaste, lip balm and shaving cream, making these tasty tubes deadly to dogs who have naughty chewing tendencies. The Pet Poison Helpline reports that xylitol poisoning has increased at an alarming rate of 230% during the past five years.

8. Grapes

All forms of grapes are toxic to dogs, including peeled and seedless. This even includes the dried cousin of grapes, raisins. The small fruit has caused thousands of dogs to experience sudden kidney failure, which has a high fatality rate. Like most other harmful dog foods, a toxic ingestion of grapes will produce vomiting, unusual lethargy and loss of appetite. Heavy panting, a dry nose and abdominal pain are signs that your dog should see a veterinarian immediately.

9. Dairy Products

Most dogs are capable of digesting dairy products, so they can safely consume cheese, yogurt and milk in small quantities. However, some dogs do become lactose intolerant, which will upset the digestive system. While eating an entire bowl of milk or ice cream is not toxic, it is also not healthy, and can immediately induce diarrhea and vomiting. Plain yogurt can be a good treat as long as it doesn’t have added sugar or artificial sweeteners. When it comes to cheese, opt for small bits of a lower-fat variety like mozzarella, cheddar or cottage.

10. Grains

Many grains are good for dogs, providing important nutrients that strengthen joints, combat bad breath and build allergy immunity. These many benefits make grains a staple ingredient in most dog kibble. However, some research has shown that wheat, rice and soy can aggravate allergies that cause ear and skin infections, food sensitivities and bloating. There are also concerns that genetically modified grains may introduce small fissures in the intestinal lining, creating a “gut leak” that allows toxic bacteria and undigested proteins to escape into the bloodstream. Other research claims that a full grain-free diet may be contributing to more heart issues in certain breeds.

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