8 Things That You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dogs

Most important thing about your pet care is knowing about pet’s proper diet. In this case, the owner should have an idea regarding what you can or cannot feed your dog. There are a number of foods and ingredients which are consumed by humans every day, like milk, chocolate, garlic, etc that can trigger serious toxic reactions in dogs. Some food items may cause mild digestive upsets whereas others can cause severe illness or even death. There is nothing worse than having your dog suffer over a simple mistake in a diet. So as a pet owner you should have a clear idea regarding your dogs diet. In this article, we will examine things you shouldn’t feed your dogs with their side effects and things you should do in a case of emergency.

Things-you-shouldnt-feed-dog

1. Apple

The apple as a whole is not dangerous to your dogs and, in fact, it is a low protein, high fiber, antioxidant snack. It’s the seeds and the cores which are dangerous for your dogs. It can cause cyanide poisoning in your dogs.

What is in it ?

The core of an apple and also it’s stem contains cyanogenic glycosides which are also known as cyanide. Apple seeds contain amygdalin which is another form of cyanide. Cyanide is a very poisonous substance to every living being as it prevents the blood from carrying the oxygen. Apple is not that dangerous as the amount of cyanide contained in an apple is so low. It’s unlikely for your dog to chew up enough seeds to become ill. Still it’s better to remove seeds, stem and core before giving an apple to your dog.

Symptoms

Too many apples can cause tummy upsets or diarrhea in your dogs. If your dog has any kidney disease it’s not a right idea to feed apples. Some of the symptoms that come from in digesting the toxin are dizziness, struggling to breathe, seizures, collapsing, shock, etc. Another downside is that the calories in apples come from naturally occurring sugar and it can contribute to weight gain in your dogs.

What we need to do ?

Never hesitate in giving apples as the threat to your dogs. Just remember to remove the seeds, cores, and stem.

2. Garlic

The effect of garlic in your dog is somewhat similar to that of onions. It also consists of thiosulphate which can cause hemolytic anemia, liver damage, and even death. Compared to the onions the amount of thiosulphate is very less so a dog should consume a huge quantity for any negative effects. Recently there has been the huge debate going whether garlic should be given to dogs. There are many healthy benefits to feeding garlic to your pets. Garlic boosts the immune system, it is needed for digestion and is antiviral and also makes dogs less desirable to fleas. So garlic is a great, source of protein, vitamin B6, vitamin C and dietary minerals.

What is in it

Garlic consists of aliphatic sulfides and when eaten by a dog these can produce telltale inclusions of denatured hemoglobin. Thus, it will reduce the red blood cells in the dog will cause a condition called hemolytic anemia. This condition will only arise when a huge amount of garlic is being fed to your dog. Garlic has natural blood thinning effects, so if your pet is on blood-thinning prescription drugs or is in need of a surgery never feed him garlic. Doctors recommend one clove of fresh garlic per 0 to 30 pounds of weight a day to boost the immune system and cancer prevention. So always use appropriate amount meaning conservatively in both frequency and amount of garlic which will make your puppies safe.

Symptoms

The compound thiosulphate in extremely high levels can be toxic and will cause hemolytic anemia. It is a serious life threatening condition for your dog. You should always look out for common signs like drooling, nausea, oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdomen pain, weakness, pale gums, etc. Garlic poisoning is a slow process and clinical signs may not be apparent for several days, so always be aware of your pets situation.

What we need to do ?

If you suspect you pet to have garlic poisoned never waste any time, call your veterinarian as soon as you could. They will make your pet vomit the garlic or decontaminate your pet’s gastrointestinal system with activated charcoal. During early stages, vets can treat your dog with supportive care and detoxification. But during later stages, it will get difficult and will need oxygen therapy and blood transformations along with supportive care and monitoring of anemia. But you should identify the symptoms very quickly in order to save your dog. Always prevention is better than cure, so make sure that your dog is only provided with an appropriate amount of garlic.

3. Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most common foods that is bad for dogs. The caffeine, theobromine and theophylline present in chocolate can be toxic causing panting, vomiting, and diarrhea and damage your dog’s heart and nervous systems.

What’s is in it

Chocolate contains cocoa and it contains certain compounds called theobromine and caffeine. If ingested these two ingredients can also lead to various medical complications and may even prove fatal for your dog. Theobromine stimulates the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and slightly increases blood pressure. A large amount of theobromine can produce muscle tremors, seizures, irregular heartbeats, internal bleeding and heart attack. Theobromine doses in the region 100 to 150mg/kg body weight are toxic to dogs. White chocolate contains a minimal amount of theobromine whereas dark chocolates contain the highest amount of theobromine and are most dangerous to pets.

Symptoms

Symptoms will occur from 4 to 24 hours after the dog has eaten chocolate. The time may vary depending upon the amount of the chocolate (theobromine ). There will be vomiting(may include blood ), diarrhea, rapid breathing, muscle tension(even incoordination), increased heart rate, increased drinking and urination, restless and hyperactivity.

What we need to do

If your dog had eaten the chocolate you should remove it from his stomach as quickly as possible. You should make your dog vomit the chocolate before it is ingested. You should give your dog hydrogen peroxide to make him throw up. If you couldn’t don’t waste any time contact a vet as soon as possible. They may wash out the stomach and feed activated charcoal which will absorb any theobromine left in the intestine. Once your dog vomits don’t give him any food or water.

4. Milk

Puppies drink milk from their mothers after they were born. However if we introduce cow’s milk or milk based products like ice creams to their diet can cause lactose intolerance.

Symptoms

Milk contain the lots of lactose. Lactose is a type of sugar with two molecules and in order for a milk to digest the dogs, the body must produce a special lactose-splitting enzyme know as lactase. Without this, the dog simply cannot digest milk and this inability is known as lactose intolerance. If you ever notice your dog tends to develop gas or loose stools having milk then there is a good chance your pet may be suffering from this condition.

What it can do

Severe cases of lactose intolerance can cause vomiting and diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. This condition is not immediately life-threatening to your dogs, it can contribute to a serious bacterial exposure that could lead to a disease. In rare cases, a dog can be allergic to the protein in the milk.

Things we can do

Whenever there is diarrhea or severe vomiting it’s important to keep your dog well hydrated by offering lots of fresh water. If your dog is suffering from mild forms of lactose intolerance you may be able to hear some rumbling sounds from their tummy. They also may refuse to eat their food until their situation clears up. So if the symptoms continue or worsen its wise to consult with a Veterinarian.

5. Cheese

It’s similar to milk in terms of sugary and fatty components and dogs do not have necessary enzymes to break down. In smaller quantities cheese is good as it provides proteins to your dogs but over consumption can cause digestive upsets.

What it can do

Cheese is super high in calories and fat and also it consists of lactose. The presence of lactose can cause stomach upsets, diarrhea, and vomiting in your pets. Since cheese is super high in fat content your dog will be prone to putting on weight quickly.

What we need to do ?

Cheese is a good source of protein for your dog. Cheddar is a type of cheese you can provide your pet as it is low on lactose content. Never feed a cheese that has added ingredients such as garlic or onion as both of these products are toxic to dogs. High-fat cheeses like brie and camembert should also be avoided. Cottage cheese can be used to feed dogs since it is high in calcium content and are low in calories. Goat cheese which is made from goats milk can be used since it is low in lactose content. Cheese can be an excellent high-value reward or added sources of calories but it should never take the place of part of your dog’s proper meals nor be fed to excess.

6. Onions

onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate and it is really toxic to dogs. The ingestion of onions causes a condition called hemolytic anemia which causes damages to the red blood cells. Onions will cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, liver damage, discolored urine, breathlessness to your dogs. Onions are unsafe regardless where they are cooked, raw or in powdered form.

What is in it.

Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which is really toxic to dogs. The toxicity is really dangerous as it can cause the red blood cells in your pet’s body to burst. If the onion gets indigested will cause a condition called hemolytic anemia. It will reduce the life span of red blood cell. A single meal of 600 to 800 grams of raw onion can be dangerous and also 150 grams for several days can cause hemolytic anemia.

Symptoms

The poisoning will only occur a few days after the dog has eaten the onion. Early symptoms shown by your pets will be gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea. They will show weakness and will show no interest in food. Lethargy, lack of muscle coordination, pale gums, red or brown discolored urine, hyper salvation, occasional vomiting or diarrhea, abdominal pain, heavy breathing, etc are some of the most common symptoms seen in dogs after poisoning occurs. Smaller the size of the dog greater the damage.

What we need to do ?

When your dog had eaten the onion, the first thing you needs to make sure that it will not get undigested in your pet’s tummy. Call your veterinarian immediately, the toxicity can be treated with supportive care and detoxification during early stages. They may also induce vomiting and decontaminate your pet’s gastrointestinal system with activated charcoal. At later stages, oxygen therapy and blood transfusions are required along with supportive care and monitoring of anemia. Onion toxic is really dangerous and can cause death to your beloved pet so never try to treat at home, contact vet as soon as pets show any signs of onion poisoning.

7. Grapes

Grapes are extremely toxic to dogs. The toxic substance within grapes is still unknown but it can cause kidney failures, abdominal pain, vomiting, etc in your dogs. As little as one grape per pound of body weight is enough to cause issues in dogs. Reasons, why grapes are so fatal to dogs, are still unclear.

Symptoms

The early symptoms of grapes toxicity are vomiting usually within a couple of hours after ingestion. Early symptoms in dogs include breathing difficulty, diarrhea, excessive thirst, excessive urination, lethargy. Your pet may show a loss of appetite and will not drink water. Kidney failure is the most serious condition caused by grape toxicity. It will develop within 3 days. Your dog will suffer severe abdominal pain and tremors or seizures. The dog may develop foul breath and the blood pressure will elevate drastically and a dog may go into a coma. And finally the kidneys will shut down and a dog will not produce any urine.

What we need to do ?

Time is the most important factor in the treatment of your dog. Grape ingestion should be considered as an emergency. If the indigestion is within two hours vomiting is the best thing to do is making your dog vomit and it can be done using an activated charcoal. Also, you can induce vomiting by using hydrogen peroxide solution. The amount given should be one teaspoon per five pounds of body weight. Never hesitate to contact a veterinarian. Intravenous fluids may be given for 48 hours and it will help flush out any absorbed toxins out of the body as quickly as possible. They may use treatments like kidney medications, urinalysis, etc.

Prevention

There is the only way to prevent this keep the grapes out of your dog’s reach. Avoid leaving grapes out on open pantries or on counters or lay around on the floors. Don’t share any food that may contain grapes.

8. Caffeine

Caffeine is mostly found in the coffeemaker, tea, energy drinks, diet pills, OTC pills, etc. Coffee contains a stimulant known as methylated xanthine which can stimulate the nervous system in dogs. An excess amount of caffeine can cause hyperactivity/restless, vomiting, irregular heart rate, poisoning, etc on your dogs.

Symptoms

You could see the symptoms within 1-2 hours after indigestion. Depending upon the amount of caffeine consumed, a size of the breed the symptoms can go from mild inconvenience to a severe rush to vet emergency. Common signs to watch out for are hyperactivity /restless, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, hypertension, irregular heart rate, loss of appetite, lack of coordination, etc. Even death is possible in cases of a massive overdose but it’s very rare.

What we need to do ?

In the initial stage, vomiting is the treatment used to remove caffeine from your dogs. Mostly activated charcoal is used to make the dog vomit     and is done within first 5 to 6 hours after indigestion. After that veterinarian might need to include drugs, anti sickness meds and sometimes IV fluids. Caffeine may be reabsorbed across the bladder wall so a urinary catheter or frequent walks are needed to keep the bladder empty.

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