10 Things Dogs Can’t Eat
what can dogs not eat? how do you keep your dog healthy and happy? One of the best ways to ensure your dog’s overall health and well-being is to get the proper nutrition through his diet, including the suitable types and amounts of foods. You can spoil your dog with the best quality food available, but if you give him something he shouldn’t eat, he could develop serious health problems or even die from eating it. Check out this list of things dogs can’t eat to get an idea of what you should avoid feeding them.
1) Avocado
It is hard to say with complete certainty whether or not a dog can eat avocado, as there are varying reports. Some claim it’s okay, while others argue that even small amounts of avocado can be harmful to your pup. Either way, you should keep your dog away from avocado for its safety. The fruit itself isn’t dangerous; instead, it contains persin, a toxin that can cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs.
Persin is found in all parts of an avocado plant except for the flesh around its pit, so even peeling and cutting out bites won’t help you avoid potential dangers. If your pup has eaten an entire avocado or part of one without supervision, contact your vet immediately for treatment options and advice on preventing future incidents.
2) Garlic
There is a lot of conflicting information about whether or not garlic is toxic to dogs. Some sources say it can be deadly in large doses, while others say you’re more likely to kill your dog by feeding him peanut butter. In either case, it’s probably best to avoid feeding garlic to your dog if at all possible.
Consuming just one clove of garlic can be enough to cause a dog serious illness.
The compounds found in these foods cause damage to red blood cells, resulting in internal bleeding, weakness, vomiting, and even death. If your pet has ingested onion or garlic, consult your veterinarian right away; treatment may be necessary to prevent organ damage.
3) Onions
Onion is one of those things dogs can’t eat. Small amounts are acceptable but don’t give him a big bowl of onion soup or sautéed onions. Even garlic, which is just a different form of onion, should be used sparingly. They can affect your dog’s red blood cells and cause anemia in large quantities. Onions also contain compounds that can break down blood vessel walls and cause a potentially fatal condition called hemolytic anemia. It shows up as digestive upset like diarrhea and vomiting, then progresses to jaundice (yellowing of the skin), lethargy, pale gums, and collapse within 48 hours if not treated immediately with blood transfusions or vitamin K1 injections.
3) Chocolate
Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which are toxic to dogs. They can cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and seizures. The darker chocolate is, the more dangerous it is to your pup. So while you might be munching on a piece of rich dark chocolate, your dog could quickly scarf down a batch of leftover brownies and end up in trouble.
That doesn’t mean you have to toss out all those Valentine’s Day chocolates — keep them out of reach from your pup! Some other foods that should be avoided include grapes (they contain resveratrol), avocados (they may cause pancreatitis), and anything with caffeine or alcohol.
5) Grapes and Raisins
There is some debate about whether or not grapes and raisins are dangerous for dogs to eat. They do contain a mild toxin that can cause kidney failure, though it is not clear if it would have enough effect on a dog to be dangerous. Regardless, grapes and raisins can cause digestive upset in any pet that eats them, so it’s best to avoid giving them to your dog (or any other pet you have).
Eating a small number of grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure while eating just a handful can cause death.
6) Raw Bones
If you’re wondering whether dogs can eat raw bones, it depends on what kind of bones they are. Some types of raw bones are excellent to feed your dog (like marrow bones), while others aren’t appropriate at all (like chicken wings).
If you want to know if a specific type of bone is safe for your pup, consult with your vet before giving it to him. If you’re concerned about serving cooked or processed food to your dog, there are a few different choices for safe raw diets available at pet stores. No matter what type of diet you choose, always supervise your puppy and remove uneaten foods from his reach after he finishes eating them.
7) Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are just as toxic to dogs as they are to humans. These types of nuts can affect a dog’s nervous system and cause tremors, seizures, and even death. Contact your vet immediately if you ever suspect your pup has eaten a macadamia nut or any other nut you weren’t aware could hurt them.
While there’s no antidote for macadamia poisoning, prompt veterinary care is essential for reducing symptoms. The good news is that dogs can often recover quickly and entirely from macadamia-nut poisoning with swift treatment.
8) Raw Meat
Though raw meat isn’t directly toxic to dogs, it can contain parasites and bacteria that may harm your pet. If you feed your dog a strictly raw-meat diet, he’s at risk for contracting Salmonella or E. coli from contaminated foods. That said, some companies make raw diets for dogs with unique digestive systems that allow them to eat uncooked meat safely—but pet owners should always consult with their veterinarian before making any changes to their dog’s eating habits. For example, if your dog is on medication and you want to add in something new, like a raw-meat diet, you must first talk with your vet about how these changes might affect your pet’s overall health.
9) Alcohol
If your dog is a little drunk on beer or wine, you may think it’s funny—until you see him stumbling and slurring his words. While it may seem harmless fun for you and your pup, alcohol can seriously damage your pet. Alcohol can be fatal to dogs. If you see signs of intoxication in your dog—drooling, loss of coordination, disorientation—take him straight to a vet.
The effects of alcohol on dogs are similar to its effects on humans; they have difficulty breathing and regulating their body temperature. Ingesting even a small amount could kill them with veterinary care if not treated right away.
10) Other Foods
You know your dog can’t eat chocolate, but what about these other foods? The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center says chocolate has always been one of its top 10 most common calls. But it isn’t alone — onions, garlic, and some other foods also make their list. And while they say it’s not a comprehensive list, there are still several things you may not know your dog shouldn’t eat. So we asked experts to tell us about some surprising things that dogs shouldn’t be eating, which led us to add them to our Ultimate List of Foods You Should Never Feed Your Dog below.