KNOWING what to feed your dog is one thing, but knowing what not to feed your dog is another. Everyone you talk to will have their own list of do’s and don’t’s for feeding dogs. It is important to remember that although some things may have been recommended in the past this does not mean it is what you should be feeding your dog all of the time.

Here is a list of some of the main foods to avoid feeding your dog, if you are concerned your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have or that they might be reacting to a food, contact your veterinary surgeon immediately for advice.

CAFFEINE

As is the case with a lot of foods, caffeine in large quantities can be fatal for dogs. The other problem is if your dog has been poisoned by caffeine there is no antidote. Coffee and tea with sugar and milk or cream can be tempting for dogs so make sure they are kept out of reach.

Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include rapid breathing, restlessness, heart palpitations, bleeding, fits, muscle tremors, and bleeding.

CHOCOLATE

Chocolate is probably the most well-known harmful food for dogs. Chocolate is poisonous because it contains theobromine. This is contained in all types of chocolate but dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate have the highest levels.

If a dog eats chocolate it can result in death. The symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures and tremors. Caffeine is also found in chocolate, making it more harmful.

ONIONS AND GARLIC

All forms of onions and garlic are harmful to dogs. They can destroy a dog’s red blood cells and cause them to get anaemia. Very small quantities are unlikely to cause harm but if your dog eats a large quantity of either garlic or onion it is likely to cause poisoning. Symptoms of anaemia include weakness, vomiting, lack of interest in food and breathlessness.

PEACHES, PLUMS AND PERSIMMONS

The seeds and pits inside these fruits are harmful for both dogs and humans. Persimmon seeds are dangerous to dogs because they can cause inflammation of the small intestine. They can also cause an intestinal obstruction.

If a dog eats a pit from a peach or plum it is very likely to cause an internal obstruction. The pit also contains cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs. Humans luckily know not to eat them while it is up to us to stop our dogs from eating them.

SALT

Any food that has a high level of salt can be dangerous to dogs. Eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination. This can progress to sodium ion poisoning.

Symptoms of sodium ion poisoning include diarrhoea, vomiting, tremors, depression, seizures and elevated body temperature. It severe cases it can lead to death.

OLD AND GONE-OFF FOOD

We don’t eat old and gone-off food yet many people think it is completely acceptable to feed it to their dogs. The bacteria that make gone-off food harmful to people can be just as harmful to dogs. A safe rule of thumb is if you would not eat something then don’t feed it to your dog.

RAW EGGS

Raw eggs are often used as a part of a dog’s diet, usually to help improve their coat. However, they should not be fed to dogs regularly. Feeding raw eggs can cause poisoning from bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli. Raw eggs can also interfere with the absorption of a particular B vitamin which is essential to dogs. Cooked eggs, in small amounts, are considered to be good, especially if they are unwell or recovering.

KITCHEN PANTRY

Kitchen pantries are full of harmful foods for dogs. Things such as baking soda and baking powder, as well as spices can all be very harmful to dogs. The safest option is to make sure all of the contents of your pantry are out of reach from your dog.

There are a number of other foods which can be harmful for dogs and each dog can react differently. Other harmful foods include, avocados, spicy foods (especially if it contains garlic or onions) and sugary foods.