Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t. Some of these foods may be dangerous for your dog, so you need to know what to keep away from your buddy. If you have a dog, then you should know all about the top 15 dangerous food for dogs.
In fact, most dog owners go through this type of list when adopting a puppy to make sure they are safe from potential hazards. For many dogs, the world is a buffet. These curious creatures love to eat and try new things all the time.
Dogs also have a different threshold for what they can digest, so it is important to understand which foods will upset your dog’s stomach before he has an opportunity to eat them.
Here are some of the top 16 dangerous food for dogs that you should avoid at all costs:
1. Beans
Beans are a superfood, which means they are packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential to the human diet – but dogs cannot process them properly. If your dog has beans and does not have a bean-sensitive stomach, it could cause your dog to throw up, have diarrhea, and could cause a dangerous condition called Heinz Body Anemia.
Ingestion of cooked, uncooked, or dehydrated onions is the most common cause of Heinz body anemia in dogs. If you are curious about introducing beans into your dog’s diet, consult with a vet. In most cases, it is not worth the risk.
2. Chicken Tenders, Raw and undercooked meat, including turkey, duck, beef, veal, fish, and pork
Healthy for humans, but a bacteria-lover for dogs. If your dog had a few chicken tenders, it would not be a big deal. But eating a whole bag of them could put your dog in the hospital with a life-threatening infection called Salmonella.
Salmonella happens when your dog’s immune system is unable to fight off the infection. This is often brought on by eating raw or undercooked meat. Eating too many chicken tenders would be a one-way ticket to the hospital for your dog. Be careful, and avoid feeding your dog too many chicken or turkey treats.
3. Cheese
Most dogs love cheese and would do anything to get a toe-nail-sized piece. Not all cheeses are off-limits for dogs, but many of them are. Dogs can eat cheese in small to moderate quantities. As long as your dog isn’t lactose intolerant.
Avoid giving your dog hard cheeses, like cheddar or parmesan, as these are high in fat, which could cause stomach upset in your dog.
Also Soft cheeses, like Brie and blue cheese, could cause your dog to have a serious reaction. Blue cheese is particularly dangerous for dogs and can cause them to experience anaphylactic shock. This is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause your dog’s throat to close and blood pressure to drop dangerously low.
If you want them to feed cheese then go for their very own dog-specific Himalayan dog chew made of dried cheese.
4. Chocolate
Theobromine, a chemical found in cocoa and chocolate, is toxic to dogs. It can cause vomiting, and diarrhea and is especially dangerous to dogs that have heart issues. It is toxic to dogs and can even cause kidney failure. Just one ounce of chocolate can be fatal to a 10-pound dog. Chocolate is one of the top dangerous foods for dogs, so avoid feeding your dog at all costs.
5. Coffee and Coffee Grounds
This one may come as a surprise to you. And, if you’re a coffee drinker and have pets, it’s best to avoid them. Coffee can be toxic for dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and a whole host of other complications. Coffee contains Methylxanthines a group of naturally occurring substances found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and related foodstuffs.
7. Corn and Corn Byproducts
Corn is a popular ingredient in many dog foods. But corn is also the number one cause of food allergies in dogs. If your dog is allergic to corn or corn byproducts, it could cause a life-threatening reaction.
Dogs all have different digestive systems than we do, so they can’t break down corn the same way we do. Dogs who consume corn, popcorn, or corn byproducts often experience an allergic reaction.
An allergic reaction could look like diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, or any number of other symptoms. If your dog has an allergy, you will want to cut corn out of his diet completely. It’s best not to feed your dog corn-based treats, either.
8. Egg Shells, Prawns, and Fish
Eggs are a superfood for dogs, but their shells are dangerous. Eggs are packed with protein and other vitamins and minerals, but dogs can’t digest the shells. If your dog eats the shell or a whole egg, it could cause an obstruction in his stomach.
Be careful while feeding Prawns or fish to your dog. In the case of prawns remove the shell, head, tail, and legs, and avoid any kind that’s been seasoned, salted, or buttered. Make sure the fish is plain, fully cooked, and boneless.
9. Fatty Trimmings From Rotisserie Chicken
You might be surprised at this one. Rotisserie chicken is a hot dog and many dogs love it. But fatty trimmings from a rotisserie chicken can cause pancreatitis in dogs. If your dog is prone to pancreatitis, you may want to avoid feeding him fatty foods.
10. Nuts
Your dog may love peanut butter sandwiches, but nuts are dangerous for dogs. Avoid feeding your dog nuts, peanut butter, and anything with peanuts in it. Nuts especially Macadamia Nuts are dangerous for dogs because they have high levels of fat and proteins that are dangerous to dogs. It can cause dogs to suffer numerous painful symptoms, including weakness, overheating, and vomiting.
11. Onions and Garlic
Onions cause hemolytic anemia in dogs. Onions contain a toxic principle known as N-propyl disulfide. This compound causes a breakdown of red blood cells, leading to anemia in dogs.
Onions are also the most common cause of Heinz body anemia in dogs. So onion is one of the most dangerous foods for your dogs. Garlic also has the same effect on dogs. So avoid this feeding your dog at all costs.
If your dog eats an onion, it could also cause gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea. They can kill their red blood cells, causing anemia. Eating a lot just once can cause poisoning. Look for signs like weakness, vomiting, and breathing problems.
12. Rice, Raisins, and Other Grains
As mentioned above, most grains are dangerous for dogs. If your dog eats a few pieces of rice or raisins, it won’t cause any harm. But if he has a large amount of rice or raisins, it could upset his stomach.
13. Shellfish And Mollusks (Shrimp, Mussels, Etc.)
These are dangerous for dogs. Just like they are for humans, eating shellfish can cause food poisoning in dogs. Dogs that eat shrimp, mussels, or other mollusks have a high chance of developing a bacterial infection that may be fatal.
14. Sugar-Free Gum or Candy
Nearly all sugar-free or low-calorie candies contain xylitol, a sugar substitute. It causes dogs’ insulin levels to spike as well as serious liver problems. The amount of Xylitol in just five pieces of gum has the potential to kill a 65-pound dog. Early symptoms of these include vomiting, lethargy, and coordination problems. Eventually, your dog may have seizures.
15. Hot and Spicy Food
We as humans sometimes enjoy hot and spicy food, but it upsets our stomachs also. These types of food can cause overheating, stomach ulcers, or diarrhea, which can be painful. Dogs are not used to eating spices and chillis.
16. Pizza
Can Dogs Eat Pizza? Is it Safe? the answer is no! dogs can tolerate just a small piece of pizza but not a whole slice. They might experience a slight stomach upset if they’re sensitive to dairy, and also due to the excess fat.
The pizza has all the things that are harmful to your dog – dough, crust, toppings, and sauce. The toppings on your pizza can make a huge difference. Many common pizza toppings contain onions and garlic, which are considered unhealthy and toxic for dogs as we have already mentioned this concern above.
Dogs are carnivores, and their bodies are designed to eat meat. They’re not designed to eat pizza, coke, or beer.
What to do if your dog eats dangerous or toxic food?
This is a situation that happens to all dog owners at some point in time. It’s inevitable, especially when you have a curious and exploratory dog running around your house.
The first thing you should do is avoid panic. Many foods are toxic to dogs, but they’re not deadly.
What you should do next is check out our list and also other lists of toxic foods, we are not saying that you should only depend on this list. Talk to experts and other dog owners as well and see what food is dangerous to their experience. And see if there are any that your dog may have eaten.
If you’re not sure, then you should take your dog to the vet for a check-up. Vets can often test for certain foods to see if your dog has eaten anything that could be harmful to it.
In most cases, the symptoms are temporary and only last for 1-2 days. If your dog shows the symptoms mentioned above contact your veterinarian if the symptoms get worse.
It is important to understand the dangers that exist in our world and how they can affect dogs. You should know what your dog can and can’t eat. Knowing this can help prevent health problems and keep your dog safe. This list is a good place to start, but you should always check with your vet to make sure your dog is healthy and not allergic to any foods. Keep your dog safe by teaching him what he can and can’t eat. Once he knows the rules, he will be happy and healthy.