Does your dog follow you to the fridge to gab a bite to eat because they know you’ll share? Same. I am totally guilty of food sharing with my dog. But bad habits aside, this little guide will help you understand what types of food sharing should be avoided to keep your heckin’ cute snoot alive and well. We all know about dark chocolate and dogs, but did you know about the other common household food items and ingredients that could land you and your best friend in the vet’s office? There’s A LOT more than just chocolate that needs to be stored safely away from Scruffy. Chocolates, Coffee, & Caffeine: Along with our delectable and dreamy chocolates, we need to be weary of coffee and caffeinated products too, as they all contain an ingredient called methylxanthine. When ingested by our fluffy little friends, methylxanthines can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, heavy panting, hyperactivity, abnormal heartbeat, excessive thirst and urination, tremors, seizures, and death in high concentrations. Now there is a hierarchy of chocolates; dark chocolates and baking chocolates contain the highest level of methylxanthines while milk chocolate is in the middle of the spectrum, and white chocolate on the lowest end. But for Scruffy’s sake, no chocolate is good chocolate. Grapes & Raisins: even in small amounts, grapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney failure and be fatally toxic. The cause of toxicity is still being studied, so hopefully there are answers to come soon. Grape and raisin poisoning will manifest with a combination of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, small amounts of/no urination, loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, abdominal pain, bad breath, oral ulcers, tremors, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Avocados can cause stomach upset due to its fatty nature. Side note: high fat diets can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in dogs. The primary concern of avocados though, is an intestinal blockage if the pit of the fruit is eaten. Nuts: Raw almonds, walnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts contain really high amounts of fat and oils. Symptoms include upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea can take up to 12 hours to appear and can last up to 48 hours. Consumption of these fatty nuts can also lead to the development and progression of pancreatitis. Salt: Avoid large amounts of salt and salty snacks such as potato chips, salted popcorn, salted french fries, and the like. High amounts of salt results in excessive thirst, urination, and can lead to ion poisoning. Signs of ion poisoning include, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors, increased body temperature, seizures, and fatality. Milk & Dairy: Pets lack lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk and dairy products. If your pet is sensitive to milk products, consumption can cause upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea. Coconut products: The flesh and milk of coconuts contain oils that can cause stomach upset, loose stools, and diarrhea. Coconut water is high in potassium which can be pretty harsh on the kidneys and affect your pet’s ability to urinate- so for sure avoid coconut water. Most coconut products though are not likely to cause serious harm, but avoiding them will save your floors and your dog’s b-hole. Citrus: In small amounts, you can expect a minor stomach ache. However in substantial volumes, ingesting citrusy fruits, peals, seeds, and essential oils containing citric acid can cause oral irritation and depress the central nervous system. Monitor your dog for red gums/tongue/mouth, excess drooling, weakness, difficulty walking, shaking, changes in temperature and heart rate, vomiting, and diarrhea. Raw Yeast Dough: In the digestive tract, dough can rise and lead to the accumulation of trapped gas causing the stomach to bloat. Bloat is very painful, and can potentially twist the stomach turning this event into a life threatening emergency. As a by-product, Yeast produces ethanol (alcohol) and a dog that has eaten raw dough may become inebriated. Alcohol: Drinks, foods, and products containing alcohol (mouthwash, cough syrup, flavored extracts, rubbing alcohol, perfumes, colognes, antifreeze/coolants, wiper fluids, and cleaning supplies- yes, I know these aren't foods, but I think it's relevant for you to know) can cause excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, inebriation, disorientation, loss of bodily control, respiratory distress, irregular heart rate, tremors, seizures, increased levels of acidity in the blood, dehydration, loss of consciousness, and death in extreme cases. Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Chives, & Scallions: The consumption of these vegetables and herbs can lead to Allium Toxicity and symptoms can take place over several days. In large amounts, these ingredients whether raw or in powdered form can cause gastrointestinal upset and lead to red blood cell damage in dogs. The presence of organosulfides in this family of plants ruptures red blood cells affecting the body’s ability to circulate blood and transport oxygen. Temporary anemia can also occur given no further exposure takes place. Symptoms of allium toxicity include stinky breath, oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, lethargy, abdominal pain, rapid heart rate, increased panting, weakness, intolerant to exercise, collapse, pale/blue gums. Raw or Undercooked Meats & Eggs: Salmonella and E. coli can affect pets through the consumption of eating raw or undercooked meats. Raw eggs can inhibit the bodies ability to absorb Biotin, one of the many B vitamins that helps the health of hair, skin, and nails; this inability to absorb Biotin can lead to skin and coat problems over time. Bones should never be fed to domestic pets as they can be a choking hazard, and bones can get lodged into the intestines, splinter, and puncture the digestive wall causing very serious internal injuries. Xylitol: In many products like gum, toothpaste, baked goods, candies, and even some peanut butters, Xylitol is used as a sweetener. Its consumption triggers insulin release causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and liver failure within only a few days. Look out for chewed up wrappers with foods containing xylitol, vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, shaking, seizures, and loss of consciousness. If you're positive that your dog has ingested a toxic substance within the last two hours, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline (888) 426-4435 OR go to your local vet as soon as possible to induce vomiting before all the toxins can be absorbed into the body. Do not attempt to induce vomiting yourself if your dog is: • Unconscious • Having trouble breathing • Exhibiting signs of serious distress or shock • Or if you are unsure of what your dog may have eaten. If your dog has already vomited, do not try to force more vomiting. Call your veterinarian for advice. If there is a topic you'd like me to cover or have any questions, leave a comment! You may also send us feedback or suggestions to our FaceBook Page @TheScuffingtonPostBlog. I'm always here to help people help their pets. And remember, anything is pawsible when you have a dog. All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified veterinary medicine provider.
If you believe your pet needs medical attention, please seek out your preferred veterinarian and schedule an examination.
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Our Human
Hi! I'm Sierra, the human—
your friendly neighborhood Dog Mom & Veterinary Professional. I speak Boof and can help shed some light on all the important parts of owning a dog; from vaccines to senior care, and everything you didn't know in between. I grew up on a small farm in a little country town in the PNW and have spent years working with the finest Veterinary Doctors and Specialists in Los Angeles at a top of the line, state of the art Emergency and Specialty Animal Hospital helping people help their pets. I currently spend my days educating our community about pet care, and provide vital vaccines and minor illness care to pets at a Wellness & Prevention Clinic in Idaho. Your dog is like family and I know you want the best for your furry little friend. Everything I've learned about veterinary care comes straight from the experts and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing their hard earned knowledge with me in their pursuit to saving animal lives. I am forever grateful to the masters in the field who have taken me under their wing. I'll be giving you a ton of great updates and advice about pet care, an in side look into veterinary medicine, ingredient-integrity driven brands, changes in the market, and health tips directly from the doctors so you can be empowered knowing you'll to be making the right choice for your heckin' cute snoot. Terms & Conditions |