Many pet parents feel tempted to share their favorite foods with their canines. They celebrate their furry friend’s birthday by cutting a delicious chocolate cake or give them part of their meal as a special treat on a weekday. However, it’s worth noting that some foods that are safe for humans can be toxic to animals. You may have to rush your pets to the vet to get them treated urgently if they ingest such foods. Thus, the best way to avoid such situations is to go through this list of foods that are dangerous for dogs.
- Chocolates
Chocolates belong top-most in a list of the category of foods that are dangerous for dogs. It contains a stimulant called theobromine, which leads to toxicosis. Symptoms start appearing about 4 to 24 hours after consumption of the food item. The higher the percentage of theobromine in the chocolate, the more poisonous it is for pets. Dogs might suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and lethargy after consuming chocolate-based food products. However, in severe cases (for foods containing a high amount of cocoa, like dark chocolates), dogs may also experience elevated body temperature, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and even death. - Caffeine
Similar to chocolates, the caffeine present in coffee, tea, and energy drinks is also harmful to dogs if consumed in bulk. Keep coffee beans and tea bags out of reach of your pets. If they playfully gulp down a handful of beans, you may have to place an emergency call to your vet. Symptoms of caffeine toxicity mimic those of theobromine poisoning. - Onions and garlic
Preparing dog-feed with spicy vegetables like onions or garlic can turn out to be dangerous as it can lead to anemia and gastroenteritis. Keep in mind that garlic is 5 times more toxic for pets than onions. You may notice orange to dark red urine, lethargy, and reduced appetite in your pet, which are symptoms they display a few days after the ingestion of these foods. Japanese dog breeds like Akitas and Shiba Inus have a high risk of developing allium toxicosis too. - Alcohol
Alcohol also belongs to the list of those foods that are dangerous for dogs. It can harm both, but it is more toxic to pets than human beings. Even if they gulp a few sips of your drink, they may show signs of vomiting, tremors, face challenges with breathing, and experience disorientation. So, always remember to dispense leftover alcohol from glasses responsibly. Store alcohol bottles safely, so that it’s beyond the reach of pets. - Xylitol
Xylitol is a toxic compound for dogs, present in sugar-free candies and sugarless gums. The artificial sweetener is also a component of mouthwash, cough syrups, and toothpaste. It is a life-threatening element for dogs as they can experience hypoglycemia (due to excess release of insulin) and liver damage. Even a small quantity of xylitol, like a single piece of sugar-free gum, can be harmful to your pet.
So, now that you know about the foods that are dangerous for dogs, it is of utmost importance to never allow your canine friend to consume them. In case they do, contact a veterinarian immediately for appropriate treatment.