Taking care of a dog or any pet for that matter, is proven to be one of the best natural stress relievers that can help you feel relaxed and energized all day long. From grooming and playing with them, to watching their diet and giving them regular exercise, there are several things that a dog owner must consider beforehand. Feeding them their regular meals or giving them treats is also a great way to bond with them. But things can get tricky, especially for those who just had dogs as a pet for the first time.
Many beginners would start asking a couple of questions with their fellow dog owners if a particular food is safe for their pets to consume or not. Unfortunately, not all food that humans eat can be safe for dogs as well. Some would be asking questions such as, “Can dogs eat lettuce?” or “Can they eat apples?”. The answer for these two depends on the quality and amount of food that you will be giving them, but they are generally healthy and safe for your dogs.
Meanwhile, here are five things that you should never ever give to your dog to eat.
Chocolate
Perhaps most of you have already heard of this and, no, this is not just a superstitious belief or urban legend. While this bitter and sweet treat is a certified favorite among us, humans, chocolates can cause sickness to your dog and, at times, it can be deadly. Chocolates contain compounds called methylxanthines which is generally safe for humans to consume at moderate levels. Dogs, however, cannot metabolize methylxanthines. They impede a dog’s metabolic processes causing wet stool, vomiting, irregular heart function, seizures, and even death.
Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that are usually used in candies, gums, baked goods, toothpaste, and low-calorie foods. Xylitol has a negative impact to your dog’s liver and it can also cause its blood sugar to drop to dangerous levels. If not treated immediately, xylitol intoxication can cause vomiting, lethargy, coordination problems, and worse, liver failure, which can develop into a full-blown one in just a matter of days.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are among the few natural foods that are poisonous to dogs. Although the mechanism of toxicity is still not known, studies have shown that macadamia nuts can cause non-fatal syndrome in dogs. Some of the symptoms include muscle weakness with or without tremors, coordination problems, elevated body temperature, vomiting, and depression.
Garlic
Garlic, onions, leeks, chives, and other plants of the allium family are not safe for dogs to eat whether these are raw, cooked, or powdered. These foods can kill red blood cells in your dogs and cause anemia. Symptoms of intoxication include weakness, vomiting, increased heart rate, breathing problems, and paleness of gums. Your dog may also experience collapse if high amounts are ingested.
Ice Cream
Ice cream could be a nice treat for your dog on a hot summer day. But this can be bad for your dog’s health. Not only the high amounts of sugar can cause tooth decay but the dairy component can also cause digestive problems to dogs that are lactose-intolerant. Better yet, you can give them homemade fruit popsicles with no added sugar to help their body cool down during the hot days.
Always remember to keep these foods away from your dog’s reach. Call a veterinarian immediately if you suspect that your dog consumed any of these foods.