Dog owners tend to give pets plenty of treats, but it would be wise to take a step back and be mindful of the kind of food you give to your beloved hounds. There are certain food products that must not be given to dogs as these can be potentially toxic for them.
Be alert whenever your dogs are surrounding you and preparing to catch falling bits and pieces of your food as you might unknowingly kill your beloved pet. Keep these toxic treats out of your dog's reach to eliminate the risk of dog poisoning.
Bones
It is a common practice to give bones to dogs as treats. In movies and TV, it is always shown that dogs are given bones to chew but little do we know that this can potentially kill them.
Bones can block and become lodged in the dog's throat and digestive system. The bones can splinter and puncture organs where they pass.
Do not give your dogs any type of bone, may it be soft or hard, small or big, from pork ribs or chicken legs, cooked or uncooked.
Chocolates
A previous article had warned dog lovers not to give their pets any chocolates in Easter, but this does not only apply during the Easter season. Chocolates are a no-no for dogs as these can cause dog intoxication.
Chocolates contain theobromine and caffeine that can induce vomiting, dehydration and death. And even though dogs can only be poisoned with a specific amount of chocolate treats, it is still better to be cautious and not give your dogs any amount of it at all.
Garlic And Onions
Leftovers contain many ingredients such garlic and onions. If you are used to giving leftovers to your dogs, better stop.
Garlic and onions contain a chemical that can damage your dog's red blood cells. If dogs eat too much onion and garlic, they may become weak and in extreme cases, they may need to undergo blood transfusion.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are just new to the list of potentially toxic goodies to dogs. These nuts can make your dogs weak and cause the inability to walk, as the toxins mainly target the hind legs.
Grapes
Fruits are good for people, but not always for dogs. Don't let your dogs snack on grapes as these - and raisins - can cause kidney failure and death within three days.
Avocado
Guacamole is delicious, but hold on to it and do not give your dog even a single lick because avocados also cause harm to pets.
Avocado contains persin, a toxic chemical that can cause stomach upset, breathing problems and liquid buildup in a dog's chest.
Apple Cores
It is known that apples contain cyanide. The apple seeds containing cyanide could cause hyperventilation and induce seizures.
Cheese And Milk
Unfortunately dogs do not have the capacity to break down lactose from dairy products such as cheese and milk.
Dogs who eat too much could experience digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Yeast Dough
Some people love to make their own cakes and pastries, and yeast dough is a common ingredient in their baking. Uncooked yeast dough must not be left within the reach of your canine pets as this can cause painful bloating and make the dogs' stomachs twist and lead to their death.
Photo: David Locke | Flickr
