By Hannah Stein
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! You plan to cook for Fido, too, right? Sadly, you cannot give into every craving your pup has. Here is a list of some of the most dangerous foods and what not to feed your dog.
Our first six foods are dangerous to eat because they are toxic:
1. Chocolate
This is probably the most well-known human food that is toxic to dogs. Chocolate is toxic because it contains substances called methylxanthines, which stop certain metabolic processes in dogs.
2. Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure for dogs. Because grapes have more water in them than raisins, they are less toxic than raisins.
3. Onions
Although this is not commonly recognized, onions are the most dangerous food a dog may eat. Onions contain disulfides and sulfoxides that damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
4. Avocado
Avocado contains persin. Persin is a toxic chemical that causes vomiting and diarrhea for dogs.
5. Raw or undercooked meat that is not correctly prepared
Feeding raw food is an awesome option for dogs! Think about what their ancestors ate for thousands of years-- raw meat. Dogs are biologically designed to eat raw food. That does not mean they should eat ALL raw meat. It is important to carefully only feed raw meat safe for dog consumption to avoid fatal bacteria, like Salmonella and E. Coli. Raw food that is safe for dogs will be specially packaged.
6. Fruit seeds and stems
Fruits like apples, cherries, and apricots have seeds, stems, and leaves that contain cyanide. Cyanide is very poisonous and can make it hard for dogs to breathe.
These next foods are not safe because they may physically damage a dog’s digestive system or pose a choking hazard:
1. Almonds
Even though they are not toxic to pups, almonds may block the esophagus or scratch and damage the windpipe if not chewed thoroughly.
2. Raw bones
Dogs have very acidic stomach acid (more than humans) and can digest raw meat; however, they should never be given raw meat with bones in it. Dogs can easily choke or damage their digestive system with whole bones, bone fragments, or chipped bone pieces.
3. Bread
When wet, bread expands, so when bread is eaten, it expands in the mouth. This makes bread a choking hazard. It is true that humans eat bread and do not choke, but it is because we have the mental cognition and awareness to recognize we must chew more. As owners know, dogs generally prefer not to chew and would rather swallow their food whole. Bread is safe to feed broken up into small pieces.
Have your Thanksgiving dinner with your pup by including some dog-friendly foods. Remember, every dog reacts differently to certain foods. If in doubt, ask your vet!
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References: AKC, Canine Journal, Insider, One Love Animal Rescue
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