Foods You Should Not Feed Your Dog

Mar 24, 2008 by

Foods You Should Not Feed Your Dog

Dogs metabolize food differently than we do and because of this there are some foods that may be harmful to dogs if ingested. While some of the foods may only cause mild digestive upset, others can cause severe illness and in some cases, death. Here is a table of common food items you should avoid feeding to your dog.

Alcoholic beverages Can cause intoxication, depressed heart rate, coma, and death.
Avocado Avocado contains a toxic element called persin which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. Avocados are high in fat content and can trigger an upset stomach, vomiting or even pancreatitis.
Baby food Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below)
Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system; cooked bones can pierce through internal organs. Certain raw bones are ok.
Cat food Generally too high in protein and fats.
Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic – increase the heart rate and depress nervous system.
Citrus oil extracts Can cause vomiting.
Fat trimmings Can cause pancreatitis due to an abundance of fat in the bloodstream.
Grapes and raisins Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.
Hops Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures and death.
Iron-containing vitamin supplements Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.
Large amounts of liver Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.
Macadamia nuts Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
Marijuana Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting and change the heart rate.
Milk and other dairy products Some adult dogs lack sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in severe diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Moldy or spoiled food, garbage Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs depending on what type of food it was.
Mushrooms Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock and result in death.
Onions and garlic – raw, cooked or powder Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
Persimmons Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
Pits from peaches and plums Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.
Raw eggs Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of Biotin, a B vitamin. This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
Raw fish Can result in a Thiamine deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly and/or in large quantities.
Salt If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
String Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a string foreign body.
Sugary foods Can lead to obesity, dental problems and possibly diabetes.
Table scraps (in large amounts) Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.
Tobacco Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.
Yeast dough Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

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  1. Nutritional Requirements for Large Breed Dogs, Pit Bull Feeding Tips - [...] nutritionally sound and do not contain any of the food items that are harmful for dogs (see post Foods ...

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