Most dog owners know that chocolate and grapes can be lethal to feed our pets. But there are plenty of other things not to be treating our pooches with too.
TeamDogs.co.uk has a full list of everything you need to know about human foods for dogs and why some of our favourite snacks can be dangerous for our four-legged friends.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine, which is poisonous to our fur babies.
The purer the chocolate, the more theobromine it generally tends to have.
Dog owners should ensure to keep all chocolate treats, which also includes cocoa powder and hot chocolate, out of reach.
As little as 50g of milk chocolate can poison a small dog.
If they do get their paws on some, it is important to call the vet straight away.
Sweets
Sweets should not be fed to any pet, especially those advertised as sugar-free as they contain the synthetic sweetener, xylitol, which is toxic to both cats and dogs.
There are a number of pet-friendly sweets on the market so there is no need to feel guilty if your pooch is looking longingly at your sweet treats.
They will thank you for it.
Salty snacks
Giving a few crisps to our furry friends while we munch away may not seem too big of a deal but salt can have a bad effect on dogs.
It can cause excessive thirst and urination, and even sodium ion poisoning in pets. A base case can look like vomiting, tremors, seizures and even death. It’s best to avoid salty snacks like crisps and popcorn for pooches.
Roast dinners
A hearty roast dinner is a staple for many of us, but it’s important to remember not to feed your dog scraps from the dinner table.
Scrappy or fatty meat can lead to sensitive tummies for dogs.
If you just can’t help but give in to those puppy-dog eyes, try to give them some yummy treats to enjoy whilst you sit down for your dinner to stop them from begging.
Pizza and other dough products
Dogs will do anything they can to get their paws on our food, especially as we prepare it.
If you're treating yourself by making a homemade pizza or baking any other dough based treat, it's a good idea to leave your pet out of the preparation.
Carbon dioxide and alcohol is produced as the yeast in pizza dough ferments, this can result in poisoning. The alcohol can be absorbed into the bloodstream causing dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, body temperature and potentially even seizures in dogs.
Uncooked dough of any kind can have disastrous consequences for our eager pups.
Milk and Dairy
Pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk.
Milk and other dairy-based products like yoghurt and ice-cream can cause them diarrhoea or other digestive upset.
Raw meat, eggs and bones
This is an important one to remember, as many of us may be under the impression that all dogs love raw meat and bones.
However, bacteria in raw products like salmonella and E.coli is very harmful for pets.
Raw eggs contain a harmful enzyme called avidin that can lead to problems for our dogs’ skin and coat.
Bones can also be dangerous as they pose a risk of choking out pets or puncturing their digestive tract.
Grapes and raisins
The dangers of feeding grapes to our pets is well-known.
However, experts actually haven’t figured out why grapes are so toxic to dogs. Some dogs also react an awful lot worse than others to grapes.
While some sources suggest that they may be okay in small amounts, it’s best to avoid them altogether. That includes peeled grapes, seedless grapes, raisins and baked goods that contain raisins.
What can I treat my dog with?
We all want to treat our pets, and human food can seem like an exciting snack to any pup.
Other human foods like carrots, apples, peanut butter and bread can be safe for dogs in moderation, but the best way to keep our pets safe and happy is to treat them with nutritionally sound snacks that are formulated just for them.
