Many foods are harmless to humans but dangerous for dogs. Some of these foods may make a dog vomit or cause intestinal problems, while others can be lethal. Many people find it surprising that they shouldn't let their dogs eat some common foods. Before you give a dog scraps from the dinner table, it's important to identify foods that can greatly affect a dog's health.
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Avocados
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That guacamole dip from the party may have been good, but don't let your dog lick the bowl. The fruit, stem, leaves and pit can be toxic for many animals, including dogs. Avocados contain Persin, which can cause heart and breathing problems for your furry friend. Avocados can also cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs.
Chocolate
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Don't give your dog chocolate or leave bowls of chocolate candy or half-eaten candy bars where a dog can get to it. Dogs are attracted to chocolate, just like humans, but it is one of those foods that can kill a canine if enough is consumed. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which can adversely affect the heart and nervous system. No substance containing caffeine should ever be eaten by a dog.
Onions and Garlic
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Onions and garlic should not be fed to dogs because they contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which dogs can't metabolize well. The result could be anemia. These substances are found in raw, cooked and powdered forms of onions and garlic, so think twice before feeding a dog leftovers or take-out food. Onion and garlic powder are used as spices in many dishes.
Potatoes
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While the flesh of a cooked potato can be harmless, the skin, leaves and stems can be poisonous to dogs. These parts of the potato contain oxalates, which can affect the nervous and digestive systems. Any part of the potato that is green is especially toxic, whether cooked or uncooked. The green parts in the flesh of a potato, usually found just under the skin, contain solanine, a natural poison. When solanine is consumed by dogs, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness and irregular heartbeats.
Nuts, Pits and Seeds
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It's a mystery why certain nuts are dangerous to dogs. The macadamia nut is the most dangerous. The Humane Society of the United States recommends against feeding macadamia nuts to dogs. Nuts in general aren't easily digested by canines. The same goes for the pits and seeds of fruits and vegetables in general. The HSUS also recommends steering all pets clear of apple seeds and apricot, peach and cherry pits, due to their toxicity and the problems they can cause in a dog's digestive system.
Grapes and Raisins
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Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. The result of a dog eating just a handful of raisins could be kidney failure. Never let a dog eat any amount of these foods. Should they fall to the floor, pick them up immediately and discard them in a place where your dog can't get to them.
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