Dogs

15 Dangerous Foods for Dogs (That Can Be Fatal)

Mary
July 7, 2020

Some foods that are considered good for human consumption can be poisonous and dangerous for dogs, potentially posing serious health threats.

But why is that so?

Because all animals have different rates of metabolism. Metabolism is the process of breaking down food and turning it into energy.

Below are some of the foods that can be dangerous for your dogs, and could even lead to death.

Foods you shouldn’t give to your dog

1. Garlic

It contains compound N-propyl disulfide that kills the red blood cells causing your dog to suffer from anemia. Garlic can also cause stomach and gut irritation. Signs that your dog consumed garlic include:

Vomiting
Weakness
Breathing problems.

2. Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine that affects the gut, heart rate, and stimulates the central nervous system. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous and the unsweetened baking chocolate can also be severe.

Signs your dog might have consumed too much chocolate include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Panting
Excessive thirst and urination
Tremors, and
Seizures

Excessive chocolate consumption can lead to death, with other severe conditions including kidney failure.

3. Avocado

Although avocado may be one of your favorites, they fall into the category of the most dangerous foods for dogs. Avocado contains a toxin known as persin, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart congestion in dogs. The most dangerous part of the avocado is the pit because it’s a choking hazard that contains a lot of persin.

4. Alcohol

Food products and beverages containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, coma, and even death. Even a little beer, liquor, wine, or food laced with alcohol can affect your dog badly, especially the puppies.

5. Gum and Candy

They contain xylitol, which is used as a sweetener for many products including gums, candies, toothpaste, and baked goods. It can be fatal to dogs and when ingested can lead to blockages in the digestive tract.

Too much sugar can cause insulin release which leads to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). The use of these sugars can be linked to acute liver disease and blood-clotting disorders in dogs.

The signs a dog has consumed gums or candies include vomiting, loss of coordination, and lethargy.

6. Yeast Dough

Just like the yeast rises in bread, that’s exactly what happens in the dog’s stomach. As the yeast swells it causes discomfort in the stomach as a result of gas accumulating.

It’s not only painful but can also lead to bloating of the stomach and intestinal rupture becoming a life-threatening emergency. Yeast dough can be dangerous when it ferments leading to alcohol poisoning. This can be fatal to your dog.

7. Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts are known to be among the most dangerous foods for dogs. They contain an unknown toxin that affects the central nervous system, the muscles, and the digestive tract. Within 12 hours of intake of macadamia nuts can be fatal to your dog even in small amounts. Your dog may consume and show signs such as muscle shaking, weak back legs, increased temperature, vomiting, and tremors in dogs.

8. Milk and dairy products

Dogs do not possess a significant amount of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk). Milk and other milk-based products can cause diarrhea, other digestive problems, and can as well trigger food allergies.

9. Salt

Too much of it in dogs may lead to sodium ion poisoning, which may result in excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, seizures, and high temperature. Avoid giving dogs potato chips and salty popcorn.

10. Tobacco

Tobacco, which contains nicotine, is one of the few dangerous foods for dogs. Nicotine affects the central nervous system, which can present itself within one hour of intake. This can result in abnormal heart rate, tremors, collapse, and weakness.

11. Raw meat and fish

Contain a bacterium that causes food poisoning. Some fish such as trout, salmon, and sturgeon contain a parasite that causes Salmon Poisoning Disease (SPD), which compromises the dog’s immune system.

Fully cooked fish helps to kill the parasite. Raw meat can be safe to feed dogs, but only if you have checked it’s uncontaminated and safe for consumption. Signs your dog might have consumed unsafe raw meat and fish include vomiting, fever, and lymph nodes.

12. Grapes and raisins

It’s a toxic food that makes a dog sick even in small amounts. It can cause renal failure. Kidneys might start to shut down, causing vomiting and lethargy, oral ulcers, and eventually leading to death.

13. Raw eggs

It contains bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli that compromise the health of your dog. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which eventually leads to skin and coat problems.

14. Cooked bones

Avoid giving cooked bones to dogs because when cooked the fibers in the bones are weakened. Cooked bones often splinter more easily, and can block your dog’s digestive tract.

15. Onions

Onions contain a compound known as N-propyl disulfide, which attacks the red blood cells responsible for carrying Haemoglobin. It also affects the bone marrow making it unable to produce cells, which in turn leads to a deficiency.

Dogs start to have brownish colored urine and anemia-related symptoms such as dizziness, dullness, fatigue, and breathing difficulties.