Dangerous Foods for Dogs
With the TownePlace Suites being a pet friendly hotel, and
myself being a pet lover, I am always on the lookout for information when it
comes to the safety of our furry little friends. Who can resist those big brown eyes and cute
doggie grin? Can a little reward from the table really hurt your dog? Well,
that depends on what it is and what's in it. A chip with guacamole can cause
your dog some real problems. In fact, there's a lot of people food your dog
should never eat. And, it's not just because of weight. Some foods are
downright dangerous for dogs -- and some of these common foods may surprise
you.
Avocado: No matter
how good you think the guacamole is, you shouldn't give it to your dog.
Avocados contain a substance called persin. It's harmless for humans who aren't
allergic. But large amounts might be toxic to dogs. If you happen to be growing
avocados at home, keep your dog away from the plants. Persin is in the leaves,
seed, and bark, as well as in the fruit.
Alcohol: Beer,
liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol -- none of its good for your dog. That's
because alcohol has the same effect on a dog's liver and brain that it has on
humans. But it takes far less to do its damage. Just a little can cause
vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, problems with
coordination, difficulty breathing, coma, even death. And the smaller the dog,
the greater the effect.
Onions and Garlic:
Onions and garlic in all forms -- powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated
-- can destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia. That can happen even
with the onion powder found in some baby food. An occasional small dose is
probably OK. But just eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts
regularly can cause poisoning. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, vomiting,
little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.
Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeine: Caffeine in large enough quantities can be
fatal for a dog. And, there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning
include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors,
fits, and bleeding. In addition to tea and coffee - including beans and grounds
-- caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such
as Red Bull. It's also in some cold medicines and pain killers.
Grapes and Raisins:
Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for dogs. But it's not
a good idea. Although it isn't clear why, grapes and raisins can cause kidney
failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog ill. Repeated vomiting
is an early sign. Within a day, the dog will become lethargic and depressed.
The best prevention is to keep grapes and raisins off counters and other places
your dog can reach.
Milk & Other Dairy Products: On a hot day, it may be tempting to share
your ice cream cone with your dog. But if your dog could, it would thank you
for not doing so. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other
digestive upset as well as set up food allergies (which often manifest as
itchiness).
Macadamia Nuts: Dogs
should not eat macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts because they
can be fatal. As few as six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog ill.
Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the
hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate. Eating
chocolate with the nuts will make symptoms worse, possibly leading to death.
These are just some of the dangerous foods for our furry
little friends. For a complete list of
foods that are dangerous to our doggy and kitty companions, check out this
website;
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.aspx
