What Are the Results When Dogs Eat Human Food?

While some human foods are safe and even beneficial for dogs, others can cause severe illness and even death. Some poisoning is obvious immediately, but other forms can take hours or even days to become apparent. It is the responsibility of the dog owner to know the health risks and to keep dangerous foods out of range.

  1. Chocolate

    • Chocolate can cause theobromine poisoning in dogs if eaten in large amounts. After a few hours, the dog may show the symptoms of staggering, strained breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the abdominal region, trembling, fever, an increase in heart rate, arrhythmia, spasms and coma. Within 24 hours, this poisoning results in death. The most toxic types of chocolate are cocoa powder and cooking chocolate. Half a pound of chocolate can result in poisoning in a 22-pound dog; however, less can make a dog seriously ill as well.

    Onions &Garlic

    • Onions and garlic can cause thiosulphate, sulfoxide or disulfide poisoning several days after consumption. The dog develops haemolytic anaemia, causing red blood cells to rupture while circulating the body. The dog will have the symptoms of strained breathing, vomiting, diarrhea and discolored urine.

    Grapes &Raisins

    • Nine ounces to 2 pounds of grapes or raisins cause sickness in a dog, according to the Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the abdominal region and listlessness. Consuming grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs.

    Macadamia Nuts

    • Macadamia nuts can lead to bladder stones in dogs due to the high level of phosphorous that they contain. This leads to symptoms of weakness, loss of appetite, and frequent urination, often with blood in the urine.

    Safe Foods

    • Some human foods can be beneficial to a dog's health. Provided it is free from sugar and artificial sweeteners, yogurt gives the dog extra protein and calcium. Flax seeds and cooked salmon both contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the skin, coat and immune system. Vegetables, such as pumpkins, sweet potatoes and green beans, add fiber to the dog's diet, as well as the vitamins A, B6, C and K, and beta carotene and manganese.