Introduction
Picture this, you are gathered around the table on Friday night and your dog is looking up at you with those baby browns. Are you like Nadine Gourkow and unable to resist giving your pet a little something from your plate? While it may not be the best idea, since it will teach them that begging will get them food, but you may be giving them something that is harmful to them and you didn’t even know it.
Foods to Avoid
While in the past, there was no dog food and people would simply feed their dogs the table scraps, we know better about dog health today. Just because it was okay for you to eat, does not mean it is okay for “Rover” to eat. Check out the list below of the foods you should never feed your dog under any circumstances.
- Xylitol – This is an ingredient found in most candies, gums, toothpaste, many baked goods, and many diet foods use it as a sweetener. The result can be your dog’s blood sugar dropping and could eventually lead to liver failure. Things that can tip you off that they have consumed this ingredient are that they are vomiting, lethargic, or uncoordinated. On the extreme scale, they could have seizures and as we mentioned, liver failure within a few days.
- Avocado – With so many people consuming avocado toast on a daily basis, you are bound to look down and a little doggie grin and want to let “Rex” have a little of what you are having. The persin in the avocado is what will cause you problems. Too much of this will cause your dog to vomit and have diarrhea. It should go without saying that the seed should never be consumed as it can block the intestines or stomach.
- Alcohol – We all have that one friend that likes to pour a little beer in their dog’s bowl to get him a little drunk too. Even a little bit can be detrimental to your dog’s health. The reason is, alcohol does not react the same way in the brain of a dog as it does in the brain of a human. Even a small amount can have the dog vomiting, having diarrhea, coordination problems, put them in a coma, or even kill them.
- Chocolate – Most people know about this one already, but we felt it was worth mentioning to those that don’t. The problem with chocolate is the theobromine. If your dog happens to ingest this, get them to the vet right away. Failure to do so can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death.
Conclusion
Nadine Gourkow loves her dog just as much as anyone else, but she knows that feeding them certain foods is just not worth the risk. Stick to the dog food aisle when you are shopping for treats for your dog. They have none of the above-listed ingredients and they have been tested by scientist to appeal to your dog.