Feeding dogs people food could kill them if you don’t know these facts
Most people just assume that if a food is safe for them, it is safe for their dog as well. This is not entirely true. While people and dogs can eat many of the same foods, some “people foods” are actually quite toxic to dogs. In fact, some people’s food is so toxic to dogs that it can kill or make them seriously ill.
The size of the dog is important when considering what to feed them. If you have a small dog, you’ll need to be even more careful about the “people food” you feed your dog. This is because it takes less of a toxic food to kill a smaller dog than a larger dog. However, the same could be said about poison and you certainly wouldn’t want to give any dog poison, including a large dog. Large dogs have also died from feeding the wrong people.
I’ve heard people jokingly say things like “my dog will eat anything” or “my dog is a canine garbage disposal”. Well, you should know that dogs don’t automatically know what is toxic to them. If it smells good and tastes good, they can eat it even if it will make them seriously ill or even kill them. This is especially true if it is given to you by a trusted human being.
I’m not going to give an exhaustive list, but I want to give you some examples of common “people food” that is highly toxic to dogs:
Grapes and Raisins
I know this may surprise you, but grapes are extremely toxic to dogs and will cause kidney failure. Just one to six grapes can kill a small to medium dog. It is important to realize that you may not see any signs of toxicity right away. In fact, the effects can be delayed up to 24 hours. This is one of the reasons why dog owners don’t always realize what made their dog so sick or caused their dog to die. Don’t be fooled by the size of a grape. It is a concentrated grape and is just as toxic. If your dog accidentally eats grapes or raisins, he should call your vet or an animal poison hotline immediately.
Chocolate, coffee and tea
Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine that causes rapid heartbeat, tremors, and heart attacks in dogs. Chemically, it is related to caffeine, which is also highly toxic to dogs. Baker’s chocolate has about 10 times more cocoa and therefore theobromine and caffeine than milk chocolate, making it especially toxic. In general, higher quality chocolates and dark chocolate are more toxic than cheaper chocolates and milk chocolate, as they contain more cocoa.
Considering how toxic caffeine is to dogs, it’s important not to let your dog get into any coffee grounds or tea bags in the trash and to clean up any coffee or chocolate spills right away. Don’t let them drink from the coffee cup, as they may be tempted to, especially if you put cream and sugar in it.
xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that has become increasingly common in our diet. Originally, it was found mainly in gum, mints, and candy, but now it’s found in all kinds of processed foods. It can appear in yogurt, canned goods, and many low-carb or sugar-free products.
Don’t take this lightly. Even a small amount of xylitol can cause complete liver failure and death. Toxic effects will generally appear within 30 minutes of ingestion. It causes a rapid rise in insulin and a sudden, dramatic drop in blood sugar. Symptoms include vomiting, ataxia (stumbling with uncoordinated movements), and general weakness, seizures, and coma.
Xylitol is also commonly found in toothpaste and mouthwash, so be sure not to brush your dog’s teeth with your “toothpaste for people” or cure his bad breath with “mouthwash for people.”
onions and garlic
Most of the time, dogs won’t eat enough onion or garlic to kill them, but they can if they really get fed up or if the food is very highly concentrated. Onion is more toxic than garlic but both should be strictly avoided, as well as any other vegetable from the same family as shallots. Even small amounts of onion given over time can cause acute anemia and your dog may need a transfusion.
Keep in mind that baby foods often contain onion powder or garlic powder for flavor, so if you’re feeding puppies or senior dogs that have lost their teeth, be sure to read the ingredients.