It can be tempting to feed your dog scraps from the table, but not all foods that are safe for people to eat are safe for dogs too. Some of your favorite foods might contain certain substances that are toxic or irritating for your pet. We’ve compiled a list of 6 foods that dogs can’t eat so you know what not to give them.
1. Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the well-known foods that is toxic for dogs. You may have heard before that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but this is not just an old wives’ tale. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which are substances that are very toxic for dogs.
If enough is ingested, dogs can experience chocolate toxicosis. Dogs who have chocolate poisoning will experience vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or even death. One ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight is a potentially lethal dose for dogs. If your dog has ingested chocolate, seek emergency vet care.
2. Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are one of the most toxic foods for dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs that ingest macadamia nuts can experience vomiting, ataxia, weakness, hyperthermia, and depression. The most common sign is weakness, especially in the hind legs. If you suspect your dog has macadamia nut poisoning, contact your vet immediately.
It is still unknown what causes macadamia nuts to be so poisonous for dogs; they’re safe for humans to eat and have not been identified as harmful to cats. 1/10 of an ounce per 2 pounds of body weight can cause these symptoms in dogs.
3. Garlic, onions, leeks, and chives
Dogs should never eat onions, leeks, garlic, or chives. They are part of the allium family, which is toxic for dogs. Garlic in particular is extremely toxic, as it is five times stronger than the rest of the Allium plants. Allium plants contain thiosulfate, which causes oxidative damage to red blood cells, and can result in hemolytic anemia.
It takes approximately 15-30 grams of garlic per kilogram of body weight to produce harmful changes in your dog’s blood. Dogs who have ingested these foods can experience rapid breathing, lethargy, weakness, jaundice, and dark-colored urine. Garlic will also cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and more.
4. Avocados
Though they are a superfood for humans, avocados should be kept away from dogs. Avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin, which can cause serious health problems among many animals. If eaten in a large enough amount, persin can cause vomiting and diarrhea, myocardial damage, and the high fat content can lead to pancreatitis.
