Dogs’ instinct when curious about the world is often to taste it. A large number of cases of dog poisons result from the pet parent’s lack of knowledge about what foods should be kept away from their pet.
There are many foods that you can find in your kitchen that will cause your dog great harm.
Why These Foods are Dangerous
Fruits and Vegetables That Can Harm Dogs
Two fruits that may be very harmful to dogs are grapes and cherries. Cherry pits contain cyanide compounds that can block oxygen from getting into the dog’s bloodstream. Raw potatoes contain a toxic substance called solanine that can negatively impact a dog’s nervous system.
According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, just a small amount of certain fruits and vegetables can still produce serious health effects in some dogs. Some fruits have safe-looking parts, but contain potentially harmful hidden parts.
Hidden Toxins in Common Foods
For example, while apple seeds are generally considered safe; they do contain trace amounts of cyanide. Although a dog may not die from eating a few seeds, if a dog repeatedly eats the seeds, damage will begin to accumulate.
In addition, unripe tomatoes and a green potato have two types of toxic alkaloids contained in the plants. Toxic substances can affect both the digestion of our pets (i.e., causing them digestive upset) as well as potentially causing confusion and weakness. Cooking does not eliminate toxins completely.
Toxic Artificial Sweeteners, Spices, and Additives
Many artificial products are added to foods made for dogs with very little thought given to how safe they might be. Dangerous ingredients can vary widely (hidden in processed food) and put our pets at higher risk of consuming them accidentally.
The most harmful ingredient for all dogs is xylitol found in sugar substitutes such as gums and peanut butter and baked products. Even a small amount will promote rapid insulin release leading to hypoglycemic seizures or liver failure.
According to CDC data xylitol poisoning in animals has dramatically increased over the last few seasons.
How Artificial Products Can Harm You & Your Pet
Dogs’ reactions to artificial additives are not the same as humans’. The way the body metabolizes xylitol is what causes a severe onset of drug reaction in the body or an entire system failure due to xylitols effect on insulin levels within 10 minutes.
Be mindful of certain ingredients before giving your dog any commercially packaged food. Some common toxic drinks and household products are potential sources of poisoning for dogs.
Risks Around the House
Many pet owners forget this risk when they allow their dogs access to kitchens or living areas in the home. Because dogs could accidentally ingest cleaning products, spoiled foods, leftover beverages, and other hazardous materials, even small amounts could be detrimental.
Types of Toxins
- cleaning supplies/chemicals.
These toxins should always be securely stored in order to prevent accidental poisoning of pets.
Harmful Animal Products
Many pet owners believe that providing their dog with meat and bones is a natural form of nourishment. Meat and bones are part of a dog’s diet; however, not all animal products should be given to dogs as they can pose a threat to the dog’s digestive health and related injuries.
Risks of Giving Bones and Fatty Meat
Cooked bones are particularly bad for dogs. Cooked bones become brittle, unlike raw bones, and the brittle cooked bones can easily splinter and cause internal injuries to the mouth, throat and/or intestines.
Some very fatty cuts of meat may also lead to inflammation of the pancreas creating a painful condition and preventing proper digestion. The American Veterinary Medical Association consistently warns pet owners against giving dogs cooked bones (leftovers) and seasoned leftover meat.
Serious Health Risks
The structure of cooked bones is considerably altered when they are cooked and therefore they can be dangerous when they break. The sharp edges created when cooked bones break can cause either choking or wounds/blood loss inside the body of the dog.
In addition, dogs generally swallow pieces of cooked bones before they chew them, resulting in a greater risk of injury. Feeding excess fat found in meat scraps to dogs can result in overwhelming the digestive system of the dog.
The consumption of excess fat can create inflammation of the pancreas and consequent vomiting, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, and other symptoms. If the condition is not addressed, it may lead to an overall adverse health impact on the dog.
Why Do Packaged and Processed Foods Pose a Risk to Dog Health?
Packaged and processed foods are a staple of many humans’ diets; however, packaged and processed foods aren’t designed for dogs. While it is unlikely that any of those items will result in immediate dog poisoning, over time, eating all three may substantially increase the likelihood of your dog developing obesity, having heart trouble, or having kidneys fail.
Other processed items may include undisclosed harmful substances, such as xylitol or onion powder. The World Health Organization, along with other well-respected health organizations, is working to continue to limit the amount of processed food that humans consume.
The Dangers Associated With Processed Foods
A large number of packaged and processed foods may contain ingredients that appear to be harmless (like a bunch of edible-colored granules) at first, but when consumed by your dog, some of them could irritate your dog’s stomach and lead to a food allergy.
In addition to those kinds of issues, many packaged foods are very high in sodium.
Emergency Warning Signs
- Difficulty Breathing
- Bloody diarrhoea or vomiting
This will help the professionals to help you faster and correctly.
What NOT to Do in an Emergency
Do not try to induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to. There are some substances that can cause more harm when brought back up than when they were first ingested.
