Dangerous human foods & commercial dog foods/treats and safe alternatives
Did you know there are many foods and plants out there that are extremely poisonous to our pets, even deadly? Please use caution when giving your pets’ food other then dog food. If your dog has ingested any of these foods, get veterinary help immediately. These are the foods we found that are extremely dangerous to our pets.
Dangerous Human Foods
Grapes & Raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill a dog.
Onions destroy red blood cells and can cause anemia.
Chocolate can cause seizures, coma and death. Baker's chocolate is the most dangerous. A dog can consume milk chocolate and appear to be fine because it is not as concentrated, but it is still dangerous.
Coffee, coffee grounds, tea and tea bags: Drinks/foods containing caffeine causes many of the same symptoms chocolate causes.
Macadamia Nuts & Walnuts: Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, muscle tremor and paralysis. Limit all other nuts as they are not good for dogs in general, their high phosphorous content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones. Exception to this rule seems to be PEANUT BUTTER. However, always Salt/Sugar free ORGANIC peanut butter (sugar encourages cancer growth). Use only ORGANIC peanut butter as regular peanut butter has lots of toxins and is full of pesticides.
Animal fat and fried foods: Excessive fat can cause pancreatitis.
Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and damage a dog's internal organs. Raw bone should always be supervised as a piece can always break off and cause problems. Try frozen oxtails or frozen knuckle bones then take the bone away before the dog can swallow a small piece whole. It's a good natural ways to clean teeth too.
Tomatoes can cause tremors and heart arrhythmias. Tomato plants are the most toxic, but tomatoes themselves are also unsafe.
Avocados: The fruit, pit and plant are all toxic. They can cause difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart.
Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures and death.
Apple, Cherry, Peach Pits and similar fruit are great for your dog; HOWEVER, the seeds of these fruits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs as well as humans. Unlike humans, dogs do not know to stop eating at the core/pit and easily ingest them. It can also become lodged in the intestines and kill the dog in 24 hours with no warning.
Raw eggs can cause salmonella poisoning in dogs. Dogs have a shorter digestive tract than humans and are not as likely to suffer from food poisoning, but it is still possible. BEST to use ORGANIC EGGS if you do raw. Scramble light is best.
Mushrooms can be deadly. Never let your pet chew on mushrooms found in your yard. Only safe "food" mushrooms are shitake, maitake and reishi.
Sugar and Corn Syrups, EVEN ORGANIC IS BAD. This does not include Honey or Molasses though they should only be in small amounts and never for cancer dogs.
DO NOT feed 'COLD CUTS'. They are high in salt and nitrates which can lead to kidney and digestive problems.
Alternative Human Foods
Some human foods are good for dogs. Most of these are healthier than the boxed treats you buy in the grocery store. This is just a small list of examples of food that dogs can eat. Dogs won't necessarily get all the nutrients they need if they eat these foods exclusively, so check with your veterinarian if you are interested in feeding your dog a home cooked diet. Any food that causes stomach upsets or digestive problems in your dog should be avoided. Like people, some dogs cannot tolerate certain foods.
Meats should be boneless and its best if the skin is removed. Some people like a RAW diet and others rather cook. If you cook do not overcook. Keep it 'rare' so you don't kill the enzymes. ESPECIALLY FOR SICK animals. However all Fish and Pork must be well cooked. Also note - totally raw and cooked diets should never be mixed at the same meal as they digest differently.
Skinless, boneless chicken breast
Skinless, boneless turkey breast
Fish: DO NOT feed tuna as high mercury content. Be careful of small bones.
Vegetables are great for your dog and they should have them! Dogs have shorter digestive tract that humans and cannot digest most vegetable whole or in large chunks. It is best to put them through a food processor before giving them to your dog. Best veggies for your dog:
Carrots (for healthy dogs) (not for cancer dogs though, as high in sugar)
Green beans
Lettuce
Yams
Grains should not be given in large amounts or make up a large part of a dog's diet, but these foods are generally safe in small amounts.
Rice
Bread (not white breads or anything sugar or that converts to sugar) Remember the simple rule: feed no WHITE colored foods.
Dairy products should be used with caution as they are high in fat and can cause pancreatitis, gas and diarrhea. Usually, nonfat plain yogurt is safe in small amounts as is cottage cheese in small amounts.
Dangerous Commercial Dog Foods/Treats
Rawhides and dog treats, HOOVES and OTHER TREATS are generally NOT recommended. Most rawhides have chemicals that cause cancer. But if you do still want to use them from time to time as a treat it is important that they are of the highest grade and US manufactured. Therefore make sure you buy ones made in the USA and are UNBLEACHED. Do not buy the white ones as they are full of chemicals. Good quality rawhide should only get gooey and gum up when chewed, never chip off. If they chip, the chips can get lodges in the little dip in their esophagus and they can choke on that. As many as 40% of all dogs are allergic to cow skin rawhide chews. Never give COW HOOVES, they splinter and sharp pieces have killed many dogs. Better alternatives are pig ears nylarbones and American made bully sticks - however, ALWAYS be with your pet when they are eating these as there is always a danger of a piece breaking off and splitting. Nylarbones are not detected on an x-ray. Also when giving Pigs/Cow ears it's best to give basted or natural - NOT SMOKED. That puts a carcinogenic coating on it. Unbleached/natural lamb ears are other better choice. Always supervise your pet when chewing these type of things.
Greenies are the latest popular treat to become deadly. It is found that they can be slippery and if a piece slides down the throat the dog can die. Also some animals are having problems digesting. For now it is recommended you avoid them til further changes are made.
Also read labels. Many commercial dog treats contain: BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin & propylene glycol - and corn syrups/sugars that cause cancer. DO NOT use treats with ANY OF THESE THINGS.
Safe Dog Food/Treat Alternatives
KONG TOYS - the 3 whole KONG GOODIE SHIPS and other STUFFABLE HARD RUBBER TOYS. Fill them with frozen meat, cheese and peanut butter for a long lasting SAFE TREAT. Also give your dog frozen carrots to naturally clean teeth. Organic carrots are best, if not, scrub and wash well and then freeze.
Again this is a small list, more information can be research on the web if you are in doubt of any food or just avoid it.
This Information was aquired from www.treshanley.com/cic/dangerousfoods.html if you want to do further research.