How to Know Which People Foods to Never Feed a Dog

A lot of people give their dogs leftovers, including me. I often supplement my dogs' diet with leftovers from dinner like chicken, beef, vegetables and fruits. I think it is very good and healthy for my dogs--but the following foods I never give--and you should avoid giving these to your dog as well.

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Instructions

    • 1

      Never feed cooked chicken bones. They are dangerous because the bone is very brittle from being cooked. The bone can splinter and break apart when your dog eats it, which can cause damage.

    • 2

      Avoid chocolate, especially dark chocolate. It can be toxic to your dog and in large quantities cause death.

    • 3

      Stay away from grapes, which can cause kidney failure. I knew a person who used grapes as treats and the dog seemed fine until one day the dog ate a full batch and ended up at the vet with kidney failure.

    • 4

      Avoid onions, which can be very hard on your dog's digestive system. A lot of people like to give their dogs leftovers that they get from restaurants. If you do this, make sure there are no onions in the leftovers you give your dog.

    • 5

      Never give foods with artificial sweetners such as xylitol, a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in many products, including sugar-free gum, chewable vitamins, oral care products and baked goods.

      While xylitol consumption is considered safe in people, dogs can develop serious, even life-threatening signs from its ingestion. Ironically, the symptoms brought on by xylitol do not mimic hyperglycemia (such as in diabetes), but rather the opposite (hypoglycemia).

    • 6

      Stay away from sugar; it's not good for dogs. A lot of dog owners give their dogs ice cream or a small piece of cake, which is not a good idea. Surprisingly, some dog foods even contain sugar, so check labels and don't purchase any that does.