Are you looking for dangerous dog foods that can be life threatening for your canine friends? This article is for you. Read on.
Dogs are the best companion a human can ask. If you own a dog, then you are the fortunate person on the earth. They make you feel loved, cherished, and content. You get the love and affection in abundance from the furry animals. Taking care of your lifelong companion is your responsibility. So, make sure you give them the best diet that nourishes them to have a great healthy life.
Many dog food advisors have recommended avoiding certain foods that are harmful to your beloved pet. You may consider your friend as your own and treat them with human food that may cause adverse effects on their health. Therefore, you need to take the suggestions of them and avoid certain foods that are dangerous to your pet dogs.
Every person has specific food allergies that they avoid like the plague. Likewise, your dog cannot digest certain foods that you must keep in mind. A dog food advisor may propose you to keep your dog away from these food items. It will assist in maintaining the health of your dog without any complication. There are five major food items that you may be asked to avoid for the better health of your pet. So, here we go!
6 Dangerous Dog Foods to Avoid
As a pet owner, you have to be cognizant of the fact that your dog can not eat everything. So, by knowing dangerous dog foods, you can take effective steps towards ensuring the health of your dog.
Coffee
Your day starts with a hot cup of coffee that will fill you with energy and vigor. As your companion, you will share the coffee with your furry companion. Do not give coffee to your pet dogs as they have fatal effects. A dog food advisor strongly objects to caffeinated drinks as they cause abdominal discomfort, vomiting, lethargy, shortness of breath, and diarrhea in dogs. It is fatal to their heart health that may prove fatal. So, keep them away from the inquisitive beauties. The best dog food advisor has another option that is healthy and safe. Therefore, you can buy dry food from trusted brands that are tasty as well as healthy. Your furry friends will love it!
Chocolates
You treat yourself to the sweets, which you may share with your beloved pet. Never give your dog chocolate or cocoa products as they contain theobromine. It is a stimulating substance that can cause chocolate poisoning. So, it should be noted that chocolates cause diarrhea, sickness, and high blood pressure. Your dog becomes agitated or restless after taking the chocolate products. Take the best suggestion from the dog food advisor and opt for dry foods from a trusted brand. Therefore, the unique formula meets the needs of your canine friends.
Onions and Garlic
Who can resist the cutie eyes of the furry friends at the dinner table? You give them the treat from your dinner, but it is not healthy. It also has been noted that the organosulfides present in the onions and garlic in food are not good for dogs. They affect the red blood cells leading to anemia. If your dog experiences lethargy, then visit a vet immediately. Dog food advisors will recommend dry kibble from trusted brands that are full of goodness and health.
Milk
A dog food advisor will prevent you from giving your dog milk products as they cause adverse effects on their health. The lactose in the dairy products is hard to digest by the furry friends because they do not produce lactase enzymes. So, hide the milk products like cheese, butter, milk, etc. from your canine friends. The advisors mentions the use of dry kibble from trusted brands that will enhance oral health.
Xylitol
You treat your dogs with baked goodies or the sweet roll to encourage their excellence. That is not cool! The dog food advisor has noted that the xylitol in the candies, baked goods, sugar-free gums has harmful effects on the dogs. The artificial sweetener can cause liver damage that may prove fatal. Your dog may show symptoms of seizures, loss of coordination, and vomiting. Consult your vet immediately to avoid further complications. So, you can swap the treat with the dry dog food from the trusted brand that is beneficial for your pet’s health. The dry dog food encourages chewing that can relieve stress promoting better health.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can be extremely harmful to dogs, potentially leading to acute kidney injury (AKI). The exact toxin in grapes and raisins that causes this reaction is not definitively known, but recent research suggests that tartaric acid may be the culprit. This substance is also found in cream of tartar and tamarinds, and it has been linked to kidney damage in dogs.
The primary injury from grape and raisin toxicity occurs in the proximal renal tubular epithelium of the kidneys. Dogs that have ingested grapes or raisins may develop oliguric or anuric renal failure generally within 72 hours of ingestion. The toxic principle and mechanism of toxicity are still under investigation, but the damage to canine kidney cells has been demonstrated in vitro.
Symptoms and First Aid
When a dog ingests toxic foods, the symptoms can vary widely but there are common signs to watch for. These include:
- Gastrointestinal distress: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.
- Neurological issues: seizures, tremors, or unsteady gait.
- Respiratory problems: difficulty breathing or coughing.
- Cardiac symptoms: irregular heartbeat or rapid heart rate.
- Hemorrhagic symptoms: bloody stool or vomit, nosebleeds, or bruising.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to act quickly:
- Remove the dog from the source of poison to prevent further ingestion.
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a professional.
- Collect any remaining food or substance your dog may have ingested.
- Contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately with details of the incident and symptoms observed.
Dangerous Dog Foods: Preventive Measures
Preventing accidental ingestion starts with awareness and proactive measures:
- Secure all foods: Keep potentially dangerous foods out of reach, use childproof latches on cabinets, and never leave food unattended on counters.
- Trash management: Ensure trash cans have secure lids or are stored in a place inaccessible to your dog.
- Dog-proof containers: Store dog food and treats in containers that your dog cannot easily open or chew through.
- Regular supervision: Keep an eye on your dog, especially in areas like the kitchen where they might find something harmful to eat.
- Training: Teach commands like “leave it” to prevent your dog from picking up dangerous items.
For dog-proofing your home and kitchen, consider the following strategies:
- Restrict access: Use baby gates to limit your dog’s access to certain areas of the home, especially the kitchen.
- Remove small objects: Keep small, chewable objects out of reach, as dogs may mistake them for food or toys.
- Safe storage: Store cleaning supplies, medications, and other hazardous materials in high places or locked cabinets.
- Education: Educate everyone in the household about the dangers certain foods pose to dogs and the importance of keeping them out of reach.
Dangerous Dog Food Brands to Avoid
A healthy diet is a must for the health of your dog. It is advised to always go for reputable food brands. Not so long ago, FDA called out the following brands to be highly associated with heart failure and other complications in dogs. Avoid these and do your homework before selecting any particular food brand for your dog.
- Acana
- Zignature
- Taste of the Wild
- 4Health
- Earthborn Holistic
- Blue Buffalo
- Nature’s Domain
- Fromm
- Merrick
- California Natural
- Natural Balance
- Orijen
- Nature’s Variety
- NutriSource
- Nutro
- Rachael Ray Nutrish
If you wish for the best care for your beloved dog, then give them the diet a dog food advisor proposes. Avoid alcohol, avocado, nuts, grapes, and raisins as they have shown negative effects on some breeds of dogs. So, give them the quality food from the trusted sources that understands the needs of your canine friend. Apart from maintaining the health for your dogs, the dry kibble provides convenience for you. Therefore, you can travel with your pets without any concern for their health.
FAQs
Is milk bad for dogs?
Milk is not necessarily bad for dogs, but many dogs are lactose intolerant and can have difficulty digesting it. A small amount of cow’s milk or goat’s milk occasionally can be a nice treat. However, too much can lead to obesity and pancreatitis due to its high fat and sugar content.
Is bread bad for dogs?
Dogs can safely eat bread in moderation as long as they don’t have any allergies, and it does not cause any stomach upset. However, bread doesn’t offer any nutritional benefits not already supplied by a dog’s food and is high in carbs, which can lead to weight gain if consumed in large quantities.
Can dogs eat eggs?
Yes, dogs can eat eggs. Eggs are a good source of protein and contain essential nutrients. It’s best to serve dogs cooked eggs, as raw eggs can carry risks such as salmonella or biotin deficiency. Eggs should be given in moderation and without any added salt, pepper, or spices.
Can dogs eat rice?
Yes, dogs can eat rice. Rice is easy to digest and is often recommended for a dog with an upset stomach. White rice is preferred over brown rice for dogs with gastrointestinal issues due to its lower fiber content. However, rice should be fed in moderation to avoid weight gain and should always be cooked without any seasonings or spices.