5 foods you should not feed your pet

It can be very tempting for many people to share food with their furry friend, who look at their owners with a tender look to try something new, such as a snack, but can this action be harmful to your dog?

Some foods that people routinely consume can wreak havoc on a canine’s body and cause serious health problems. On the other hand, some of the foods people eat can be safely introduced into a dog’s diet, and even provide health benefits.

Here is a list of foods that you should not give your pet:

onion and garlic

The onion family, whether dried, raw, or cooked, is particularly toxic to dogs and can cause gastrointestinal irritation and damage to red blood cells.

Garlic and onion poisoning can have late symptoms, so if you think your dog may have eaten something, keep an eye on him for a few days, not just immediately after consumption.

chocolate and coffee

These products contain substances called methylxanthine, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, thirst, excessive urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and even death in pets that eat these foods.

White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

grapes and raisins

Raisins are found in a variety of foods, including cakes, cookies, and cereals, so it’s not just the shape of the fruit that should be of concern. Both grapes and raisins can cause serious liver damage and kidney failure.

Why dogs shouldn’t eat grapes

Avocado

It is generally suggested not to feed avocados to dogs because they contain persin, a fungal toxin. This substance causes serious health problems and, in extreme cases, death in larger animals, such as cows and horses. Dogs are more resistant to person than other animals, but it can still cause health problems when given in large amounts.

Persin is found primarily in the leaves and bark of the avocado plant and in the skin of the fruit, but it is also found in the flesh of the avocado in a less concentrated amount.

Xilitol

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many foods and is extremely toxic. It can cause low blood sugar and liver damage in pets.

You can find xylitol in:

• Candies
• Gum
• Peanut butter
• Ketchup

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