A dog is your best friend. The love and affection that this loyal animal brings to you and your family are priceless. You owe it to the dog to ensure that it is well taken care of, especially when it comes to feeding it. There are certain types of food that your pet should never be fed with. The list below will dispel any notion of feeding your pet with the following:
Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is also sugar alcohol. This ingredient is commonly used as a sugar substitute, and it is found in many different types of candies. The issue with xylitol is that if you have a dog and they consume some food containing this ingredient, then they might experience a bit of stomach upset or diarrhea. However, if enough of this ingredient is consumed, then the xylitol could cause additional problems to develop. If very large quantities of xylitol are consumed by your dog then they could even develop liver failure!
Avocado
Avocado is considered dangerous and can be fatal to dogs. What causes it to be deadly is the Persin found in it which is not safe for dogs, however, avocados are good for you as a human, and adding it to your diet is recommended because it contains a great deal of nutrition. While this fruit can be used to improve your health and help you lose weight, it is not always in line with what a dog needs. You want to make sure that you do not give avocados to your dogs because of their contents. which can lead to your dog having a heart attack.
Alcohol
Alcohol contains ethyl alcohol or ethanol, which is very poisonous to dogs of all sizes. Beer and wine are not grains but contain the same toxins as liquor. Ingesting even a small amount of alcohol can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and other serious health problems for your dog. If you suspect your dog has ingested alcohol, take it to a vet or emergency animal hospital immediately. Some symptoms to watch out for are impaired your dog’s ability to think clearly and, or exacerbate behavioral or emotional problems. Over time, this can lead to serious liver damage in your dog.
Onions and Garlic
Garlic and onions are staples in many human foods, from meat to gravy covering the world’s top-selling dog food. Garlic and onion can hurt your dog in a variety of ways, though. With their strong flavor, both can be tough on a dog’s digestive tract, causing vomiting or diarrhea. Both are considered toxic if eaten by dogs in large enough quantities or over a sustained period because of how they interact with an enzyme found in dog’s red blood cells. This makes them dangerous for dogs who might accidentally eat some.
Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeine
Coffee and tea are not recommended for dogs. Coffee contains caffeine, which impairs its central nervous system, even in small amounts. Dogs can become agitated and irritable after consuming it. Besides, caffeine also causes increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, urinary incontinence, and muscle tremors. On the other hand, tea contains tannic acid that will increase hydration of the stomach membranes and make them susceptible to damage from digestive juices. It is not a good idea to feed your dog coffee or let them lick up the grounds after brewing a pot.
Grapes and Raisins
The safest way to feed your dog grapes is to prevent him from getting any. Grapes and raisins both contain a toxin that has been known to cause kidney failure in dogs. It does not have to be an enormous amount of grapes either; if your dog eats more than 4g of grapes or raisins, you should contact a vet immediately. If he ingests some small amount of grapes and/or raisins, it may still be extremely dangerous. Some vets recommend that you induce vomiting, then call for an immediate checkup. If the dog doesn’t show any symptoms at first, there are still significant risks involved.”
Milk and Other Dairy Products
Milk and other dairy products contain lactose, which is a sugar your dog’s body can’t process. Dogs produce an enzyme called lactase that breaks down lactose. The production of this enzyme decreases as dogs age, so it’s not uncommon for them to experience diarrhea, bloating, or gas after consuming cow’s milk or other dairy products. Some vets believe there are also links between dairy and the development of food allergies in dogs.
You love your dog, so, normally, you will always do what you can to protect him. Sometimes, you may be ignorant about certain things, regarding the health of your canine friend. But you are fortunate to read this blog post today, so you know what to avoid feeding your dog with.