If you’re among the lucky humans who share their hearts and homes with a furry friend, you undoubtedly want your pet to have the best of everything — and that may tempt you to slip your dog some tasty treats from your table every now and then. However, canine digestive systems don’t work the same as ours, and many human foods are toxic to dogs and other domestic pets. Here’s just a few food and beverage items that that you should avoid giving your canine companion.
Grapes and Raisins
Although grapes and raisins are healthy snacks for humans, consuming them results in significant digestive upset for our canine counterparts. Ingesting these items can even cause renal failure in dogs.
Garlic and Onions
Garlic, onions, and other members of the Alum family contain organosulfur compounds that are metabolized into toxins by dogs’ digestive systems. Although most dogs won’t eat straight garlic and onions, these are often cooked into hamburgers and other meats that dogs find irresistible.
Chocolate and Candy
Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which are stimulants that can stop your dog’s metabolism in its tracks, so make sure to never leave chocolate anywhere that a dog may be able to reach. Even small amounts are potentially dangerous, so never give in to the temptation to slip your pet a taste of birthday cake or other chocolate treats. Even candy that doesn’t contain chocolate should be avoided, especially if it contains artificial sweeteners such as xylitol. Besides candy, xylitol is also commonly found in ice cream and baked goods.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Like chocolate, caffeine also contains methylxanthines, so be careful not to let curious pups lap up unattended coffee or tea or let them eat espresso beans. Ingesting alcohol can result in serious gastronomical distress for dogs, and in severe cases, it can lead to death.
Seeds and Nuts
Not all seeds and nuts are toxic to furry friends, but many of them are, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid letting your dog eat them at all. Macadamia nuts, for instance, can cause paralysis in domestic mammals. In addition to possible toxic properties, nuts and seeds may present choking hazards for your pet.
When in doubt about whether a specific food isn’t good for dogs, it’s best to choose something specifically formulated for furry friends instead.