Harmful Human Foods for Dogs

Making the decision to start looking to natural foods for healthier alternatives for my dogs was a fluke.  While researching the causes and treatments for epilepsy in dogs, all I fund was information about foods for humans and recommended diets for humans who struggle with epilepsy.  Initially, I stopped searching and figured his new dog food would be good enough.  Within a month or so, our dog suffered another round of grande seizure clusters, and feeling helpless, I began searching again.  This time I took the recommendations for humans and began trying to find information about if the foods were safe for dogs.

Initially, I wanted to switch my dogs to a diet of mostly natural and organic foods that I would make for them.  As I did my research, I was uncomfortable with my ability to ensure that all of my dog’s needs would be met based on dietary recommendations and necessities.  At this time, I have chosen to decrease the amount of dog food I give them, while it remains about 70% of their daily diet.  In addition, I add supplements of food I have researched and created.  This is what works best for us at this time.  Each pet owner must do their own research, talk with their Vet and decide what works best for them and their pet.  For some it will be a diet similar to what I do, for others they will rely on store bought pet food, and others will choose to make all of their pet’s food.  It is a personal decision for each Pet Owner.

I believe the easiest place to start when determining what is healthy or harmful for our cats and dogs is to start with what NOT to give our pets.  Some foods and supplements are a simple, straight across the board, everyone says “NO!”.  On the other hand, there are some foods that are harmful unless given in small doses and other foods that some believe should not be given to pets and others feel the pet can benefit from the food.  I tend to search an item and read as many articles and opinions about their benefit or harm factor for cats and dogs and will tend to be cautious.  

The following is a list of foods that I have learned are toxic for our dogs (we will discuss our cats next week).  I have obtained information from a variety of resources, including the ASPCA resources, www.doggie-licious.com/au, and earthclinic.com/pets, just to name a few.

No No Doggie

1. Chocolate- one we know well.  The danger for dogs in chocolate is a compound known as Theonormine which can cause diarrhea and vomiting, as well as seizures and cardiac arrest.
2. Coffee, Coffee Grounds- it is all about the caffeine for us humans, but it is that same caffeine that makes it harmful for our dogs.  The caffeine is a stimulant that can cause harm to our dog’s heart and nervous system.
3. Cooked Bones- once bones are cooked, they loose much of the nurtitional value that raw bones offer our dogs.  In addition, cooked bones also tend to splinter and break which make them a hazard for your dog.
4. Grapes- can cause acute renal failure in dogs.  The damage to the dog’s kidney will cause high levels of toxins in the dog’s system and can cause death.
5. Green- NOT everything green is harmful to dogs, but green tomatoes, potatoes, skins and tomato leaves and plants can cause dogs to suffer with seizures, tremors, and heart arrhythmia.  The recommendation is NO TOMATOES for dogs.
6. Human Vitamins- can cause damage to a dog’s digestive system, and kidney and liver damage.  The risk for harm is greater with vitamins that contain Iron.
7. Onions/Garlic- contain ingredients that damage red blood cells and can lead to anemia.  Of note is that garlic given in small doses as an ingredient in a food should not contain enough of the toxic ingredient to be harmful to the dog.  Caution and moderation should be used as repeated use, even in small doses, can be harmful.
8. Avocado- are toxic to dogs.  This includes all parts of the avocado, skin, and the tree.
9. Xylitol- (found in Sugar Free foods) can cause liver failure and hypoglycemia in dogs.
10. Cat Food- is not healthy for dogs and can cause upset stomachs.  Cats and dogs have different nutritional needs (for example cats need significantly more protein in their diet than dogs) and their foods should not be shared.

This is a short list of items that are harmful and we will take another look in a few weeks at other foods and minerals that are not healthy for our dogs.  It is important to always check with the professionals before giving your dog a “human” food that you are unsure if it is healthy or harmful for your pet to eat.  When we look to add “human” food to our pet’s diet, it is usually with the intention of improving our pet’s healthy through healthier and more natural alternatives.  The last thing we want is to inadvertently harm our pet while trying to help them.

Next week we will discuss foods that are harmful to cats.  Please feel free to share this information, ask questions, comment, make suggestions, and even disagree.