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What Are the Foods Dogs Need to Avoid?
by Jilayne Siewert
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Your dog may not be a picky eater, but you should be picky about what you feed him. Most human foods pose no threat to dogs, but some foods can be toxic. Dogs that eat certain foods may not present illnesses immediately, but can show symptoms of paralysis, diarrhea, liver or kidney failure, or coma, and may even die within a few days. Knowing which foods are not safe for your dog can keep him protected and healthy for years to come.
Keep your dog safe and healthy by avoiding toxic human foods.
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Onions or Garlic
Onions and garlic contain the toxic substance thiosulphate. Eating onions or garlic can cause damage to a dog's red blood cells, actually causing the cells to burst during circulation. Onions are considered to be more dangerous than garlic, but both can cause illness or anemia.
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Chocolate
Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. While symptoms may not occur immediately, after consuming chocolate, a dog may present symptoms such as staggering, diarrhea, fever or seizures. Chocolate can even cause death. Chocolates containing the most theobromine are cooking chocolate and cocoa powder, followed by semi-sweet and dark chocolates. The smaller and lighter the dog, the more dangerous even a small amount of chocolate can be.
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Grapes
Grapes only affect certain dogs for undetermined reasons. However, since it is impossible to know which dogs grapes will affect, they should be avoided entirely. Eating grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs, leading to death.
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Green Potatoes
While cooked and mashed potatoes can actually be healthy for dogs, green potatoes and green skins should be avoided. Green potatoes and peels contain solanum alkaloids, which can be poorly absorbed and cause poisoning. While these poisoning instances are rare, it is recommended that dogs avoid green potatoes.
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Nuts
The amount of phosphorus in nuts such as macadamia nuts or walnuts can lead to muscular tremors, paralysis of hindquarters, or bladder stones. Nuts can also cause fever and pain in a dog's hind legs.
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Avocados
Avocados contain an oil-soluble toxin that can cause heart failure and damage to heart muscle cells in dogs. Avocados also may increase the amount of fluid around the heart or cause respiratory distress.
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Mushrooms
Certain species of mushrooms can be fatal for dogs. The most commonly reported poisonous mushroom is amanita phalloides, which can cause drooling, liver and kidney damage, pain, vomiting, coma and death.
