Foods to Avoid - A List of Food Products You Should Avoid Feeding to Your Dog

If you own a dog then you are probably aware of certain foods that you should not feed. However, pet obesity is on the rise and many people still choose to feed their pets inappropriate foods or treats. Whilst some foods do simply encourage selective feeding and obesity there are others which are potentially dangerous to dogs. Here is a list of some of the foods you should NEVER offer to your dog.

Alcohol
As in humans, alcohol can cause intoxification but with dogs it can quickly lead to death or coma.

SPAYING YOUR DOG

Caffeine
Products such as chocolate, coffee, tea and many carbonated drinks contain caffeine. They also contain theobromine or theophylline. These three substances can be toxic to dogs and if fed can lead to a heart attack.

Fat
Avoid feeding your dog high levels of fat, including fat trimmings from human food. It leads to weight gain and associated problems brought on by obesity. It can also lead to pancreatitis.

Grapes and Raisins
It has been reported that an unknown toxin in both grapes and raisins can lead to kidney damage.

Excessive amounts of liver
Liver is fine if fed sparingly, however, in excess it can lead to vitamin A toxicity.

Macadamia nuts
These nuts contain toxins and it is believed that consumption of these nuts can cause problems with the dog's digestive system, nervous system and muscles.

Milk and Dairy
Milk is not necessary for adult dogs. Some adult dogs cannot cope with the amounts of the enzyme lactase, found in milk. You may find that feeling milk will lead to diarrhea.

Food showing signs of mould
Mouldy food may contain harmful toxins that can lead to an upset stomach. If it is mouldy throw it away!

Mushrooms
Mushrooms contain a collection of toxins that are harmful to dogs. In the worst case, mushroom consumption can lead to shock and even death.

Any type of onion and garlic
Onions and garlic should not be fed t a dog, whether they are raw, cooked or powdered. They contain sulfoxides and disulfides which if fed repeatedly can cause anaemia.

Fruits and Vegetables including:
Potato, potato stems, tomato, tomato stems, rhubarb. These foods can affect the digestive system and cause urinary infections.

Raw egg
Raw eggs can decrease the absorption or vitamin B into the blood stream. Reduced levels of vitamin B leads to skin problems and a dull coat. As with humans, salmonella is a risk with raw eggs.

Raw fish
As with raw egg, raw fish can lead to a vitamin B deficiency. If raw fish is fed regularly it can lead to seizures and death.

Salt
Salt is not necessary in a dog's diet. If fed excessively salt can lead to electrolyte imbalances.

Sugar
As with humans, excessive sugar can lead to weight gain, tooth decay and diabetes.

Scraps
Try to avoid the habit of feeding your dog your leftovers. It can cause habitual begging, weight gain and selective feeding. Offer your dog his own food, at his own meal time, in his own dish.

Whilst this guide aims to be informative the list of foods is not exhaustive. If you are in doubt about what to feed your dog please consult your vet.

Foods to Avoid - A List of Food Products You Should Avoid Feeding to Your Dog

Author Lindsey Watson is a Webmaster of a wide variety of online specialty websites including a very popular site on Dog Food. Visit http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk today.

SPAYING YOUR DOG