Although it’s tempting to feed your furry friend table food as they adorably rest their sweet chin on your lap at mealtime, be mindful that human food is not meant for dogs. In fact, table food can be harmful or even lethal to your dog. Typical human food is far too rich and fatty for your pooch to properly digest. Consuming human food can cause a number of adverse effects on your dog.
What’s more, is that overconsumption of human foods can also lead to canine obesity which comes with another set of risk factors including a sedentary lifestyle as a result of energy depletion and diabetes. While it’s certainly tempting to throw your dog a table scrap when they begin begging at mealtime, you should certainly be aware of the dangers of doing so. Take a look below at the five most harmful human foods for dogs and the risk factors associated with consuming them:
1. Grapes and raisins
One of the most commonly recognized harmful human foods for dogs is grapes and raisins. Although scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact substance that is harmful to dogs, it is well known these fruits are toxic to dogs. Ingestion of the fruit causes toxicity that has been linked to kidney failure and even death in dogs.
2. Onions and garlic
Maybe not as well known as harmful, onions and close cousin garlic are also known to be toxic to dogs. Research has shown that all parts and derivatives of onions and garlic can be harmful to dogs in even small amounts. This is alarming when discussing table food and dogs because both foods are found in so many unassuming human recipes. It’s also worth noting that even in their powder forms these foods can be dangerous. Known symptoms of onion/garlic toxicity include lethargy, weakness, pale gums, vomiting, elevated heart rate, and panting.
3. Raw eggs
Just like in humans, one of the greatest risk factors for dogs consuming raw eggs is contracting salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause prolific gastrointestinal problems. Moreover, consuming eggs in their raw form can cause a biotin deficiency; biotin is an important vitamin that supports the immune system and healthy skin, digestion, and metabolism.
4. Raw meat and bones
Again, just as consumption of raw meat is not advised for humans, it is not advised for dogs either. Raw meat may contain Salmonella, Listeria, and E. Coli, all harmful bacteria. Furthermore, bones are very dangerous for dog consumption too. Bones have the potential to splinter when chewed which can cause broken teeth, internal perforations, or choking.
5. Chocolate and caffeine
Although rarely fatal, chocolate is widely known to be toxic to dogs. Chocolate contains caffeine and a chemical called theobromine, both of which dogs are unable to metabolize. Some of the symptoms of chocolate and caffeine toxicity include hyperactivity, panting, agitation, rapid heartbeat, seizures, vomiting
Human foods are not the most healthy dog treats for dogs. The most conscientious way to provide healthy treats and food to your dog is to order prescription dog food online.