It’s a mistake to think your furry friend can eat anything. Sometimes, not knowing which foods are off-limits for a dog can cause serious health problems — and in the most extreme cases it could put their life at real risk. Believe it or not, that’s no exaggeration. Your dog can’t eat the same things you do, however much it stares and drools every time it sees you tucking into something.
6 foods you should never include in your dog’s diet
Below you’ll find the products you should never give your dog.
1. Chocolate
You’ve surely read or heard this before: chocolate is genuinely harmful for your dog, no matter how much it eats. It contains theobromine, a substance that is highly toxic to dogs. It can cause diarrhoea, dehydration and much more. If you’re ever going to give your dog “chocolate”, make sure it’s a dog-safe product. Don’t take the risk!
2. Salted popcorn
Nothing will happen if your dog eats unsalted popcorn, but keep the salted kind well away from it. Why? Because its body can suffer sodium poisoning. When that happens, your dog will be very thirsty and urinate uncontrollably. It may also develop a fever and convulsions.
3. Dairy products
It might not seem obvious, but dairy products are another food that’s off-limits for your dog. You’ve probably let it finish the last of a yoghurt pot at some point — a big mistake! Dogs don’t process cow’s milk well; to give you an idea, it’s as if they were lactose intolerant. What can happen? They may start to vomit or have diarrhoea, and in some cases this can lead to pancreatitis.
4. Avocado
If a piece of avocado falls on the floor and your dog goes straight for it, be careful: avocado contains persin, which inflames the digestive system and causes abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting.
5. Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are another forbidden food for your dog. Why are they a problem? Mainly because of their high fat content. After eating them, your dog will experience weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and even tremors. One way to tell if it has been poisoned is to check its mucous membranes — they’ll look pale.
6. Raw meat or fish
Eating raw meat or fish carries risks for both your dog and you. Bacteria that may be present in meat, or parasites in fish that hasn’t been frozen or cooked, can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and infections. It’s best to avoid giving these foods unless they’ve been properly cooked first.
Now that you know which foods are forbidden for your dog, never give them again — and always keep them out of reach. Feeding your dog well, and having good veterinary insurance for any health scare, is the best way to keep your best friend safe.
